1 



reasons for thinking they have nested there. The eggs of the species enumerated above as spring 

 residents are all white, and vary in size in the order named. The difference in size is not sufficient 

 however to identify them. Between the eggs of the Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl there is commonly 

 considerable difference in dimensions in favor of the former, but sometimes they approach each other so 

 closely as to make identification by size alone impossible. The eggs of the three remaining species stand 

 by themselves when compared with the first two. But among each other they vary so that recog- 

 nition is impossible, except with typical specimens. The eggs of the Short- cared Owl are the most 

 slender, and are apt to be considerably more pointed at one end than at the other. The eggs of the Lono*. 

 eared Owl average about the same in size as those of the Short-eared, but are seldom so pointed, usually 

 being equally blunt at both ends. The eggs of the Screech Owl are more nearly round than either of 

 those just mentioned, but they may be like the others exactly in dimensions. The measurements of each 

 given in the proper places will make apparent the variations in size. 



REMARKS : 



Fig. 3, Plate L1X, represents the extremes in size and shape of the eggs of the Barred Owl. The 

 specimens illustrated were selected from a large number of eggs taken in the Middle and Eastern States. 



I have never found a nest of the Barred Owl. The species in the neighborhood of Circleville is bv 

 no means common. So rare is it that in ten years I have seen but three or four specimens. It is said 

 by those who have studied the habits of this Owl that it frequently takes possession of an old Hawk's 

 nest for purposes of rearing its young, as does the Great Horned Owl. It is also said to have better 

 eye-sight in daytime than most of the other Owls. It has been seen searching for prey in broad daylight, 

 and is reputed to be very watchful throughout the day while it rests in the woods. My observations 

 upon owls have convinced me that they are by no means so blind during the daytime as they are 

 said to be. I have frequently tested the vision of the Great Horned Owl in confinement, and 

 consider it quite acute, and in the woods, even on the brightest days, it watches the man with a gun so 

 closely that it is by the merest accident he can approach near enough for a shot. When disturbed in 

 the woods it flies with the greatest ease and certainty, and by no means in the stumbling manner which 

 some authors have described. The vision of the Screech Owl and Long-eared Owl is also very good, and 

 in daytime is quite sufficient for all ordinary purposes. 



The Barred Owl is a real desperado, and its depredations are as much feared by the country house- 

 wife as those of the Great Horned Owl. Each of these birds when pressed for food will boldly enter the 

 poultry-yard and carry away chickens, ducks, and even young turkeys. The manner in which they 

 catch chickens is unique, if the stories which I have heard can be relied upon. It is said that these 

 Owls will alight upon the roost beside the chickens and sidle along, crowding them until one loses its 

 place and falls groundward. As quick as a flash the Owl darts after it, and before the unlucky bird 

 touches the earth it is in the talons of the robber and is rapidly borne away to be devoured at leisure. 



A pair of Owls will in a single night destroy a large number of chickens, apparently delighting in 

 the sport, The country people have a novel way of entrapping those rascals, viz.: A long, stout pole is 

 planted in the earth near the poultry-yard, and upon the top of this a small cross-bar is driven, and 

 upon this cross piece an ordinary steel trap is set. The Owls hunting for a place where they can inspect 

 the neighborhood before beginning their thieving, espy the pole, and, considering it a good point of 

 observation, at once take possession. As a result the farmer finds an owl in his trap the following 

 morning. I have seen nine Owls caught in two weeks, one Barred Owl and eight Great Horned Owls. 



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