135 



undoubtedly small. In eleven stomach examinations there were none. 

 Trout streams are not attractive to the species and most of the valuable 

 fish such as bass and pickerel usually lie too deep for it to catch. 



SUBORDER— STRIGES. NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. OWLS. 



The Owls are easily recognized. The cere hidden in the feathers of 

 the face, and the striking facial disks or feather rings about the eyes (Figure 

 34, p. 24) are distinctive to the most casual observer. They are mostly 

 nocturnal, the Hawk Owl and the Snowy Owl being the only eastern 

 Canadian species that habitually hunt in daytime. Even the nocturnal 

 Owls, however, see quite well by day. They may be momentarily dazed 

 when brought suddenly from dark to bright light, and some species repose 

 such confidence in immobility to escape detection as to allow themselves 

 to be almost caught in the hand. The feathers are a most interesting 

 feature in Owls. They are peculiarly soft and cling together in a way 

 that keeps the air from passing through the small interstices and ensures 

 the silent flight characteristic of the suborder. An Owl can pass so closely 

 as to fan the face with its wing and yet be inaudible. 



Two families are represented in Canada: Aluconidce the Barn Owls, 

 represented by one species which is an accidental visitor from the south; 

 and Strigidce known as the Eared or Horned Owls, though many Canadian 

 species are without these ornaments. 



FAMILY ALUCONID.E. BABN OWLS. 



The Barn Owls, sometimes called the Monkey-faced Owls from the 

 heart-shaped character of the united facial disks, are represented in Canada 

 by only one species and that species is rare. The middle claw is pectinated, 

 having comb-like teeth on its inner edge like the Herons (Figure 19, p. 21) 

 and the inner toe is as long as the middle instead of being slightly shorter 

 as in the Horned Owls. 



Genus — Tyto. Barn Owls. 



365. American Barn Owl. monkey-faced owl. fe. — l'efpraie d'amebiqtte. 

 Tyto pratincola. L, 18. General ground colour a reddish ochre, lighter below, facial 

 disk dull white with an outer edging of darker ochre to brown. Back to top of head 

 frosted over with ash-grey with numerous small eye spots outlined in black. Underparts, 

 throat, and around face sprinkled with scattered round dark spots. 



Distinctions. The strongly and well-outlined heart-shaped facial disk, soft yellow 

 coloration with a suggestion of pink, and the tarsi almost bare of feathers are distinctive. 



Nesting. In towers, steeples, or holes in barns, banks, or trees. 



Distribution. From the gulf of Mexico to the middle Atlantic states across the con- 

 tinent. It occurs in Canada only as a straggler along the southern border. 



This is the American representative of the ruin-haunting European 

 Owl so familiar in song and story. It is a wonderfully efficient mouser 

 and a most valuable bird, but is rare in Canada. 



FAMILY — STRIGIDiE. HORNED OR EARED OWLS. 



The family is known as "Horned" from the tufts of feathers pro- 

 jecting from the forehead in some of the species, though not in all. The 

 feet are feathered to the ends of the toes (Figure 32, p. 23). The family 

 includes all the Canadian Owls except the Barn Owl previously described. 



