154 



THE HAWKS AND OWLS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



cautiously appear from behind the trunk, and after a few bewildered 

 glances they beat a precipitate retreat, doubtless very much chagrined 

 at the deception. 



This is one of the most noisy of the Owls, and probably is oftener 

 heard than any other. This is particularly true in the mating sea- 

 son, at which time, in localities where it is abundant, the woods re- 

 sound with its weird but not unpleasant notes from early dusk to morn, 

 and even at intervals during the day. At no time of the year is it 

 altogether quiet, though during the period the young are being cared 

 for it is seldom heard. Years ago in the months of October and No- 

 vember, while camping in the Adirondack wilderness in northern New 

 York, one or more of these birds were heard nearly every evening, and 

 a few times during the day. On one occasion, by imitating their notes, 

 Dr. 0. Hart Merriam brought two or three in close proximity to the 

 camp, but we were unable to secure specimens on account of the 

 darkness. 



The flight is light, easy, rapid, and, as with other Owls, noiseless. 





DESCRIPTION. 



Large size. No ear tufts. General color deep umber-brown and 

 buffy whitish. The plumage everywhere barred transversely except 

 on the belly, where the stripes run lengthwise; bill yellow; eyes brown- 

 black. 



Length: 19 to 21 inches (182 to 610 mm ); extent about 16 inches 

 (1168 mm ); wing 12.50 to 11 inches (317 to355 mm ); tail 9 to 10 inches 

 (228 to 251 mm ). 



Table showing the results of examinations of 109 stomachs of the Barred Owl 

 (Syr nium nebulosum). 



Locality. 



Date. 



Poultry 



or game 



birds. 



! | 



Other birds. Mammals. ' Miscellaneous. 



Englewood, X. J 



Alfred Center, ~N.Y 



Feb. 22, 1886 









Oct. 22, 1886 

 Aug. 30, 1886 

 Feb. 15 1887 

 Mar. 16, 1887 

 Xov. 15, 1887 









Whitewater, Wis 



Washington, D. C 









Empty. 

 Do. 



Frog, 8 larvae. 



Spider, grass- 

 hoppers, 

 crickets. 









Do 







Shrew 













June 10. 1878 









Sing Sing, X. Y 



Do 



Xov. 27, 1882 

 Jan. 21, 1885 



Fowl . . . 





mice. 









2 meadow mice . 





Do 



Mar 21, 1885 







St. Louis. Mo 



Spring, 1885 

 Mar. 21. 1887 



Xov. 12. 1887 

 Apr. 25, 1887 

 Xov. 14. 18*7 

 Xov. 28, 1887 

 Feb. 11.1888 

 Feb. 18.1888 

 Feb. 19,1888 

















Meadow mice, 

 rabbit. 











Empty. 

 Crawfish. 



Sandy Sprtng, Md 



Do 



Do 



! j 4 meadow mice. 



Do 



Do 



Do 



:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 



Meadow mouse. 

 Rabbit 



Empty. 



Chester County. Pa 



Do 



Dec. 10,1886 ! 



Dec. 16,1886 



Flying squirrel. 

 Rabbit 





