CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 579 



creeks, preying upon pike principally, and in this way only are 

 they objectionable, as occasionally they destroy nearly all the 

 pickerel of a stream that has heretofore afforded the angler 

 excellent sport." 



Family STRIGIDiE. 



Barn O-wls. 



STRIX, L. 

 6. pratincola, Bonap. American Barn Owl. 



Inner toe as long as middle toe ; middle claw pectinate ; iris 

 black ; tarsus naked, or nearly so ; no ear tufts ; face elongated, 

 reddish or tawny, and variegated with bars and spots. 



" Until within a few years this owl was the rarest of the seven 

 resident species. It lives and nidificates in hollow trees, and 

 lives almost exclusively on mice. It is not only an inoffensive, 

 but a most useful bird, and should be carefully protected." 



Family BUBONIDiE. 



Horned Owls, &c. 



Inner toe shorter than middle, whose claw is not pectinated ; feathers 

 on hinder part of tarsus point downward. 



A6IO, Briss. 



A . wilsonianus, Less. American Long-eared Owl. Cat Owl. 



Ear opening very large; ears asymmetrical; head with ear 

 tufts; bill dark; face ochraceous; mottled, dusky upper parts; 

 lower parts whitish and irregularly barred. Length, 15 inches ; 

 tail, 6 inches. Nest usually the deserted one of a crow or other 

 bird of similar size. 



" This owl is probably better known as the ' cat owl.' They 

 are generally found in woody districts and away from meadow 



