Birds of Massachusetts. 89 
courage also, and, when wounded, makes a fierce 
and angry resistance, which it is difficult to over- 
come. 
The Sgonr-kARED Owr, Strix brachyotus, is an- 
other of those wanderers which occasionally leave 
their northern home to visit us. It feeds almost 
entirely on mice, and can be brought into view 
sometimes, by imitating the low squeak of its prey. 
They are attracted also by the light of fires, and, 
either in blindness or ferocity, have been known to 
attack the men near them. They are remarkable for 
spirit, and, though small, not exceeding thirteen 
inches in length, it is almost dangerous to approach 
them. In their intercourse with each other, they are 
more social than most other birds of prey. Bewick 
says, that in England, more than two dozen have 
been seen engaged in the same field, destroying 
mice, in company. In this work of extermination 
they are eminently serviceable to the farmer; but, 
like many other birds, they have reason to complain 
. that man is slow to discover, and still slower to 
acknowledge his obligation. 
The BaRRED: Own, Strix nebulosa, is found in 
ie other states of the Union, and though 
it inhabits the ‘northern regions, abounds most in the 
southern parts of our country. Their food is various, 
consisting of rabbits, grouse, squirrels, rats and mice, 
and, beside what they obtain in the field and forest, 
they levy large contributions on the domestic poul- 
VOL. III.—NO. I—II. 
an 
T * 
tO 
