82 Contributions from the Charleston Museum. 



When a Short-eared Owl is flushed it generally flies low over 

 the grass to a great distance before alighting on the top of some 

 high sand hill, where it cannot be approached again. I flushed 

 one of these owls on Bull's Island on January 8, 1906, which flew 

 in a direct line across the sandy wastes and far out into the salt 

 marshes before alighting. This species is not inconvenienced by 

 the sun, but sees as well by day as by night. 



In North America, the Short-eared Owl is said to breed from 

 Virginia to the Arctic regions. 



151. Strix varia alleni (Ridgw.). Florida Barred Owl. 



This form is exceedingly abundant in the great swamps as well 

 as on the high land along the coast. Although it breeds abun- 

 dantly, I have never taken its eggs, and have found but one nest 

 during all these years. I copy from my note book, dated March 

 31, 1884, Hobcaw Point, near Mount Pleasant, the following: 



Saw some young Barred Owls and caught one alive. It was on a small tree 

 and did not fly when I approached it, but was snapping its bill all the time. The 

 parent birds were fighting for their young with great spirit and followed me all 

 about the woods when I had the young bird. The nest was in a tall pine tree and 

 resembled a crow's. Upon the ground and under the tree was disgorged hair and 

 bones of animals. 



The eggs from which these owls had been hatched must have 

 been laid sometime in January, as the owls were fully fledged 

 and could fly a short distance. 



This owl is not shy and can generally be approached with ease. 

 Consequently many are shot every year. They are believed by 

 most farmers to prey upon poultry, notwithstanding my remon- 

 strances to the contrary. The notes of the Barred Owl suggest 

 the words, "You cook to-day, I cook to-morrow." The eggs of 

 all owls are uniformly white, and in this form they measure 

 1.90X1.60. 



152. Cryptoglaux acadica (Gmel.). Saw-whet Owl. 



In his Birds of America, Audubon says of this species: 1 



It is rare in the lower parts of South Carolina, where indeed my friend Bach- 

 man never observed it. 



I saw and positively identified an adult of this species on Decem- 

 ber 24, 1885, on Hobcaw plantation, near Mount Pleasant. 

 This bird was in a low tree in a very gloomy place, and after ob- 



I, 123. 



