SHORT-EARED OWL. 226 



inon species in Ontario, but, from its retiring habits, it may be more 

 so than we are aware. Those observed near Hamilton have been 

 found in the fall, the season when birds of all kinds wander away 

 from their summer resort, before retiring south to spend the winter. 

 Along the sea coast it is more common, and in New England resides 

 throughout the year. That it breeds in Ontario is vouched for by 

 Mr. Robert Elliot, who found a nest near his home at Bryanston 

 ■during the summer of 1886. 



It is reported a tolerably common summer resident in Manitoba, 

 and is also plentiful in the Saskatchewan and Hudson's Bay districts. 

 It is one of the best of the farmers' feathered friends, consuming 

 immense numbers of rats, mice, moles, beetles, etc. 



We find it placed in Class h, with a balance of good work at its 

 (Credit, which entitles it to our protection. 



ASIO ACCIPITRINUS (Pall.). 

 159. Short-eared Owl. (367) 



Fulvous or buflfy -brown, paler or whitey -brown below ; Ijreast and upper 

 parts, broadly and thickly streaked with dark brown ; belly, usually sparsely 

 streaked with the same, but not barred crosswise ; quills and tail, bufif, with 

 few dark bands and mottling ; facial area, legs, and crissum, pale, unmarked ; 

 -eye-patch, blackish ; ear-tufts, of from 3 to 6 feathers. Size of vnUomannx. 



Hab. ^Throughout North America ; nearly cosmopolitan. 



Nest, on the ground, consisting of a few sticks, blades of grass and feathers, 

 loosely thrown together. 



Eggs, four to six, white, nearly round. 



This is a much more common species than the preceding, and 

 probably more northern in its range. I have reports of its occur- 

 rence at different points throughout Ontario, and it was observed in 

 the North- West by Prof. Macoun. It is less nocturnal in its habits 

 than the pi'eceding, and is somewhat gregarious, being occasionally 

 «een during the day in the fall, in flocks of ten or twelve, hunting 

 in company. It has not been my fortune to fall in with any of 

 these migratory groups, but I have observed the species skimming 

 Jioiselessly over the inlets and moist meadows along the shores of 

 Hamilton Bay. 



It is a most expert 'mouser, destroying large numbers of . the 

 farmers' foes, and is, therefore, entitled to his protection ; but all 

 15 



