THE OWLS. 



199 



owls prefer heavy woodlands or wooded swamps — such as 

 the cypress swamps of our South Atlantic regions — where 

 they may be found much oftener than in more open regions. 

 The Screech-Owl is one of the best-known and most 

 abundant of the group : it inhabits all parts of the United 

 States, and is found throughout southern Canada. It is one 

 of the most beneficial birds of prey and deserves the encour- 

 agement and protection of farmers everywhere. Its food is 

 varied, consisting of 

 insects, crawfish, 

 frogs, fish, lizards, 

 small birds, and es- 

 pecially mice, of 

 which it destroys 

 enormous numbers. 

 In summer insects 

 form a large part of 

 its fare : an owl in 

 captivity has shown 

 a fondness for cater- 

 pillars, and the 

 stomachs of two 

 examined in New 

 Jersey were full of 

 full-grown nymphs 

 of cicadas or harvest- 

 flies. In warm win- 

 ter weather it stores 

 up in its hiding-place mice, moles, and similar creatures to 

 serve as food during more inclement periods. The only bad 

 habit attributed to it is that of occasionally catching small 

 birds, but since the introduction of the English sparrow this 

 trait is favorable to the owl's usefulness, since it is known to 

 prey to a considerable extent upon these unwelcome immi- 

 grants. In the nest of a screech-owl at Columbus, Ohio, were 



SCREECH-OWLS. 

 {After Biological Survey.) 



