BIRDS OF PREY 



(368) Strix varia varia Barton 



(Lat., a screech-owl; variegated). 



BARRED OWL; HOOT OWL. 

 Head very large and round; without 

 ear tufts. Plumage as shown; chiefly 

 brownish and grayish; facial disc 

 grayish, with concentric indistinct 

 rings of dusky; eyes blue-black; under 

 parts regularly barred on the breast 

 and streaked elsewhere with brownish. 

 L., 19.00; Ex., 44.00; W., 1,3.00; T., 

 Q.So. Nesl — Usually in hollow trees 

 but sometimes in old crow nests; two 

 to four white eggs, 1.95 x 1.65. 



Range — Resident from Quebec 

 and Keewatin south to Ga. and Kan. 

 (368a) FLORIDA BARRED OWL 

 (S. V. illeni), which has the toes 

 unfeathered, is found along the Gulf 

 coast and north to S. Car. 



SHORT-EARED OWLS are of the same size as the last 

 species, but very readily distinguished because of the tiny 

 ear tufts versus the long ones, and the pale buff coloration 

 versus one in which reddish-brown enters largely. While 

 in reality this species is not as abundant as the last at any 

 season, they are fully as apt to be seen, since they are not as 

 nocturnal as most species. Before dusk, or earlier on cloudy 

 days, they may be seen silently sweeping over marshes 

 hunting for mice, frogs, grasshoppers, etc. They fly low, 

 just clearing the tops of the grass; upon sighting quarry, 

 without appreciably slackening speed, they swoop a little 

 lower, extend their legs downward, and then gracefully curve 

 up to some convenient perch, bearing their prey. 



Short-eared Owls build their nests of dry grasses on the 

 ground, usually in clumps of weeds or tall grass in meadows 

 or marshes. 



BARRED OWLS are the most abundant of the larger owls 

 throughout temperate eastern North America. They are 

 resident except in the northern parts of their range. This 



225 



