61 



BARRED OWL. 

 STRIX NEBULOSA, 

 [Plate XXXIII.— Fig. 2.] 



TuRTON, Syst. l69.~JrcL ZooL p. 234, No. 122.— Lath. \Z2>.—Strix acclamator, the 

 Whooting Owl, Bartram, 289.— Peale's Museum, No. 464. 



THIS is one of our most common Owls. In winter particu- 

 larly, it is numerous in the lower parts of Pennsylvania, among the 

 woods that border the extensive meadows of Schuylkill and Dela- 

 ware. It is very frequently observed flying during day, and cer- 

 tainly sees more distinctly at that time than many of its genus. In 

 one spring, at different times, I met with more than forty of them, 

 generally flying, or sitting exposed. I also once met with one of 

 their nests containing three young, in the crotch of a white-oak 

 among thick foliage. The nest was rudely put together, composed 

 outwardly of sticks, intermixed with some dry grass and leaves, 

 and lined with smaller twigs. At another time in passing through 

 the woods I perceived something white, on the high shaded branch 

 of a tree, close to the trunk, that, as I thought, looked like a cat 

 asleep. Unable to satisfy myself I was induced to fire, when to 

 my surprise and regret, four young Owls of this same species, 

 nearly full grown, came down headlong, and fluttering for a few 

 moments died at my feet. Their nest was probably not far dis- 

 tant. I have also seen the eggs of this species, which are nearly 

 as large as those of a young pullet, but much more globular and 

 perfectly white. 



These birds sometimes seize on fowls, partridges and young 

 rabbits; mice, and small game are, however, their most usual food. 

 The difference of size between the male and female of this Owl is 



VOL. IV. o 



