The Short -eared Owl 



By WILLIAM DUTCHER 



Chairman National Committee of Audubon Societies 



DESCRIPTION 



Adult Male and Female. — General aspect above black and ochraceous mixed, each feather having a dark 

 center with an edging or other marks of nchraceousj the females averaging considerably darker than the males, 

 both the black and ochraceous being more intense. Wings and tail dark brown, above barred with ochraceous 

 of varying shades, the under surface of both being very markedly lighter in color. Underparts varying from 

 almost white in the male to deep ochraceous in the female; streaked broadly on breast, and narrowly on abdo- 

 men and flanks, with dark brown. Face with a large white or very pale buf? ruf7 and large black rings about 

 eyes: bill and claws almost black; toes feathered to base of claws; eyes large and bright yellow in color. 



Sixe. — Varies from ii.8o to 16.75 inches from tip of bill to end of tail. 



Neit. — Is always on the ground, hidden in a tall bunch of grass or weeds, in a slight hollow not over two 

 inches in depth. The lining of the nest is a few feathers and a small quantity of dead grass. 



Eggs. — Usually from four to seven in number, white in color, usually with a faint creamy tint (Bendire). 



The distribution of the Short -eared Owl is so extended that it may 

 properly be considered one of the most cosmopolitan of all species of birds. 

 It is found in nearly all parts of the Western Hemisphere, except portions 

 of the West Indies; and it also inhabits the Eastern Hemisphere, except 

 Australia, In the United States it breeds northward from about latitude 39 

 degrees. This species is more migratory in its habits than most of the other 

 Owls; sometimes being found in quite large bodies, especially on the south- 

 ward migration after the breeding season is over. 



If all birds were named from some prominent characteristic, this species 

 of Owl might properly be called the Marsh Owl, as it shuns the wooded 

 districts, and is found almost exclusively in the open country — marshes, 

 meadows, savannas, and beaches along the coast. While these Owls 

 commonly hunt for food at night, yet they are very much more diurnal 

 in their habits than most of the other species of Owls; and it is no 

 uncommon occurrence to see Short -eared Owls coursing over a meadow 

 in the daytime, especially if it is somewhat cloudy or dark, or is early 

 or late in the day. When not hunting, they remain hidden in the tall 

 grass or weeds, from which they will not flush very easily. 



Economically, the Short-eared Owl is of the utmost value and deserves 

 the most rigid protection. All of the evidence obtainable regarding this 

 species indicates that its food consists almost exclusively of noxious animals, 

 with some insects. Referring to Bulletin No. 3, United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, it is stated : ''Fully 75 per cent of the stomachs exam- - 

 ined contain mice. The remains of as many as six of these little mammals 

 were found in one stomach, and several contained three or four each. Of 

 the other mammals which this Owl feeds upon may be mentioned shrews, 

 gophers, and sometimes small rabbits. In one specimen a pellet ready for 

 regurgitation contained ten nearl\' perfect skulls of shrews." The same 

 character of testimony comes from both Europe and Asia, for in Yarrell's 



(218) 



