304 BARRED OWL. 
BARRED OWL.—STRIX NEBULOSA. — Fic. 148. 
Turton, Syst. 169.-- Arct. Zool. p. 234, No. 122.—Lath. 133.— Strix acclamator, 
The Whooting Owl, Bartram, 289.— Peale’s Museum, No. 464. 
STRIX NEBULOSA. — Forster.* 
La chouette du Canada, (Ulula,) Cuv. Regn. Anim. i. p. 328.—Strix nebulosa, 
ee es Ulula, Cuv.) Bonap. Synop. p. 38. — Chouette nébuleuse, Temm. Man. 
1. p. 86.— Strix nebulosa, ‘North. Zool. ii. p. 81. 
Tus is one of our most common Owls. In winter particularly, it 
is numerous in the lower parts of Pennsylvania, among the woods 
that border the extensive meadows of Schuylkill and Delaware. It is 
marks, “ Two of these birds, from having attached themselves to a neighboring 
marsh, passed under my frequent observation. Their flight was smooth but slow, 
and not unlike that of the common Buzzard; and they seldom continued for any 
length of time on the wing. They preyed upon wild ducks and other birds, frogs 
and mice, which they mostly pounced upon on the ground.” They appear to pre- 
fer trees for their breeding-place, whereas rocks, and the sides of deep ravines, are 
more frequently selected by the common Buzzard. No instance has occurred of 
their breeding in this country. In plumage, they vary as much as the common 
species, the color of the upper parts bene cf lighter or darker shades ; the breast 
sometimes largely patched with deep brown, and sometimes entirely of that color ; 
and the white bar at the base of the tail, though always present, is of various di- 
mensions. Dr. Richardson says it arrives in the Fur Countries in April and May ; 
and having reared its young, retires southward early in October. They were so 
shy, that only one specimen could be got by the expedition. — Ep. 
* Cuvier places this bird in his genus Ulwla. It may be called nocturnal, though 
it does show a greater facility of conducting itself during the day than the really 
night-living species, and will approach nearer to the Tawny Owl of this country 
than any other; indeed, it almost seems the American representative of that species. 
The Tawny Owl, though not so abundant, has the very same manners ; and when 
raised from its dormitory in a spruce or silver fir, or holly, or oak that still carries 
its leaves, it will flit before one for half a day, moving its station whenever it thinks 
the aggressor too near. It does not utter any ery during flight. 
It is common to both continents, visiting, however, only the more northern parts 
of i European, and does not extend so generally as many of those which inhabit 
soth. 
According to Mr. Audubon, this Owl was a most abundant visitor to his various 
solitary encampments, often a most amusing one ; and, by less accustomed travellers, 
might easily have been converted into some supposed inhabitant of another world. 
“ How often,” says this distinguished ornithologist, “when snugly settled under 
the boughs of my temporary encampment, and preparing to roast a venison steak, 
or the body of a squirrel, on a wooden spit, have I been saluted with the exultin 
bursts of this nightly disturber of the peace, that, had it not been for him, saul 
have prevailed around me, as well as in my lonely retreat! How often have I 
seen this nocturnal marauder alight within a few yards of me, exposing his whole 
body to the glare of my fire, and eye me in such a curious manner, that, had it been 
reasonable to do so, J would gladly have invited him to walk in and join me in my 
repast, that IT might have enjoyed the pleasure of forming a better acquaintance 
with him. The liveliness of his motions, joined to their oddness, have often made 
me think that his society would be at least as agreeable as that of many of the buf- 
foons we meet with in the world. But as such opportunities of forming acquain- 
tance have not existed, be content, kind reader, with the imperfect information 
which I can give you of the habits of this Sancho Panga of our woods. 
