BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



Ill 



talons. Usually, he would seize it with his mouth, and, if not too 

 large, swallow it without tearing; if the piece was more bulky than 

 he could manage, he stood on it, and tore it with his beak. Fish he 

 invariably rejected, but greedily ate mice and small birds; a dead 

 pigeon that I put in his cage was untouched for several days. * * 



"The Barred Owl subsists principally upon small birds, field-mice 

 and reptiles. He is frequently seen, in early twilight, flying over the 

 low meadow-lands, searching for the mice that dwell there ; he usually 

 takes a direct course, and sometimes flies so low that the tips of his 

 wings seem to touch the grass. When he discovers his prey, he drops 

 on it instantly, folding his wings and protruding his feet, in which his 

 quarry is always secured ; he often captures frogs that are sitting on 

 the shores of ponds and rivers ; but I am inclined to think that the 

 statement, quoted by Audubon, that he often catches fish, is incor- 

 rect." Samuels* 



The Florida Barred Owl a local race, technically called Syrnium 

 nebulosum alleni is exceedingly abundant about the almost impene- 

 trable swamps and heavily timbered regions along the St. John's 

 river. In the winter of 1885, I was informed by two residents of 

 Florida, both gentlemen whom I consider thoroughly trustworthy, 

 that this owl frequently preys on fish, which it secures, while sitting 

 close to the water's edge, by a dextrous movement of the foot. The 

 stomach contents of five of these Florida Owls, which I examined, 

 consisted only of the remains of small birds and coleopterous insects. 



Referring to this species, Nuttall says : *' Their food is principally 

 rabbits, squirrels, grouse, quails, rats, mice and frogs. From neces- 

 sity, as well as choice, they not unfrequently appear around the farm- 

 house and garden, in quest ol poultry, particularly young chickens. 

 At these times they prowl abroad towards evening, and fly low and 

 steadily about, as if beating for their prey. In Alabama, Georgia, 

 West Florida and Louisiana, where they abound, they are often to be 

 seen abroad by day, particularly in cloudy weather, and at times even 

 soar and fly with all the address of diurnal birds of prey." 



*Our Northern and Eastern Birds, by E. A. Samuels, p. 74. 



