strigiDjE. 81 



[21.] 4. Strix nebulosa. (Forster.) Barred Owl. 



Genus. Strix. Linn. Sub-genus. Ulula. CuviEn. 



Strix nebulosa, and Grey Owl. Forst. Phil. Trans., lxii., pp. 386, 424. Gmelin. Syst. 



Barred Owl. Lath. Syn., i., p. 133, sp. 18. Penn. Arct. Zool., ii., p. 234, sp. 122. 



Strix nebulosa. Lath. Ind., i., p. 58. 



Barred Owl. Wilson. Orn., iv., p. 61, pi. 33, f. 2. 



Strix nebulosa. Temm. i., p. 88. Bonap. Syn., p. 38, sp. 30. 



This Owl, which is also a native of Northern Europe, was first described by 

 Dr. Forster, from a Hudson's Bay specimen sent to the Royal Society by Mr. 

 Graham. It is probably an inhabitant of the southern districts of the fur-countries 

 only, as we had not the fortune to meet with a specimen to the northward ; nor 

 is it mentioned by Mr. Hutchins in his remarks on the birds frequenting- the country 

 at the mouth of Nelson river. Wilson says it is one of the most common Owls 

 in the United States. He informs us that it is very frequently observed flying 

 during the day, and that it certainly sees more distinctly at that time than many 

 others of the same genus. It lays four or five nearly globular white eggs, in a 

 nest built in a tree, of sticks intermixed with dry grass and leaves, and lined with 

 smaller twigs. It preys on mice, young rabbits, and grouse ; and, according to 

 the same author, both male and female, which differ remarkably in size, scream 

 during the day like a Hawk. Not having seen an American specimen, the 

 following description is borrowed from Wilson. 



DESCRIPTION, 



Extracted from Wilson's Ornithology. 



" The male Barred Owl measures sixteen inches and a half in length, and thirty-eight inches 

 in extent. Upper parts a pale brown, marked with transverse spots of white. Wings barred 

 with alternate bands of pale-brown and darker. Head smooth, very large, mottled with 

 transverse touches of dark-brown, pale-brown, and white. Eyes large, deep-blue*, the pupil 

 not perceivable. Face, or radiated circle of the eyes, grey, surrounded by an outline of brown 

 and white dots. Bill yellow, tinged with green ; breast barred transversely with rows of brown 

 and white ; belly streaked longitudinally with long stripes of brown on a yellowish ground ; 

 vent plain yellowish-white ; thighs and feathered legs the same, slightly pointed with brown ; 

 toes nearly covered with plumage ; claws dark horn-colour, very sharp. Tail rounded, and 



* Irides brown. — Temminck. 



M 



