131 



marshes or along their brushy edges, a great number annually fall under 

 the guns of sportsmen. 



Economic Status. Of 97 stomachs examined, 11 contained small 

 birds; 77, mice; 7, other mammals; and 7, insects. From this record 

 and from the fact that the marsh edges, waste patches, and fence rows 

 which this species haunts, are the reservoirs from which small rodent pests 

 spread over cleanly cultivated land, it is evident that this is a most 

 useful species and that killing it is reducing one of the most efficient checks 

 upon innumerable pests. 



368. Barred Owl. pb. — la chottette dtj Canada. Strix varia. L, 20. Plate 

 XV B. 



Distinctions. It is almost impossible to mistake this owl. The only other hornless 

 owl at aU resembling it is the Great Grey Owl. The Barred Owl can be differentiated by 

 its smaller size, black instead of yellow eyes, and by the well-defined striping and barring 

 below. This and the Barn Owl are the only owls with black eyes. 



Field Marks. Size, absence of ear tufts, and general grey-brown colour with bars 

 on the breast. 



Nesting. In hollow trees or in deserted crows' nests or hawks' nests. 



Distribution. Eastern North America from the edge of settlement south to Kansas 

 and Georgia. 



SUBSPECIES. There are several subspecies of the Barred Owl, two of which occur 

 in Canada. The form found throughout eastern Canada is the type, the Eastern Barred 

 Owl. 



Though apparently a fairly large bird the Barred Owl when stripped of 

 its feathers is comparatively small. Added to this it is a bird of gentle 

 nature and lacks the keen aggressiveness of some of its relatives. Its notes 

 are loud, the wierd hooting carrying far in the still night air. 



Economic Status. Though fowls have been known to roost repeatedly 

 without harm in trees from which Barred Owls hooted every night, it is 

 usually regarded as an enemy and killed indiscriminately. Of 189 sto- 

 machs examined, 5 contained poultry or game; 13, other birds; 46, mice; 

 18, other mammals; 4, frogs; 1, a lizard; 2, fish; 14, insects; 2, spiders; 

 and 9, crawfish. The fowls, only two cases, can be regarded as accidental 

 as they were both taken in January, when they would ordinarily be full 

 grown and beyond the powers of this weak owl to kill. The status of this 

 bird is most satisfactory. 



370. Cinereous Owl. great ghet owl. fb. — la chouettb cendb^e. Scotiaptex 

 nebulosa. L, 27. Of much the same general grey tone as the Barred Owl, but considerably 

 larger than that bird. 



Distinctions. By measiu-ement and in appearance the largest of our owls, but when 

 stripped of its great abimdance of soft feathers a surprisingly small bird. Like the Barred 

 Owl in general coloration and lack of horns; but with yellow instead of black eyes and 

 having the coloration of the breast and underparts diffused and without a defined pattern 

 of stripes and bars. 



Field Marks. Size, grey coloration, and lack of breast bars. 



Nesting. In trees. 



Distribution. The forest of the north across the continent; an occasional winter 

 migrant within the bounds of cultivation. 



SUBSPECIES. The Cinereous Owl occurs in the northern parts of both the New 

 and Old Worlds, but is represented in each by distinct subspecies. The European form is 

 the Lapp Owl jS. n. lapponica, and the American is the Great Grrey Owl, the type race. 



This owl is only an occasional visitor in the settled parts of Canada. 



