68 
THE BIRDS OF WISCONSIN 
FAMILY STRIGID^E: BARN OWLS. 
Stri.v in atinicola Bonap. AMERICAN BAR\ OAVL. 
Although Wisconsin is rather far north for this species, 
specimens are occasionally taken, especially in the southern 
half. Dr. Hoy records it from Racine ; one specimen was taken 
at Pine Lake in the forties; two or three have been taken in 
Jefferson County at an early day; and one specimen in the 
Whitewater Normal School was taken near that city in 1S99. 
Mr. F. F. Pierson, of Janesville, mounted a specimen shot near 
that place in the winter of 1901-02. It is also noted from 
La Crosse and Ripon (1). The only authentic breeding record 
we have for the state is furnished us by Mr. H. H. T. Jackson, 
of Milton, who saw in Green County in April, 1899, a. live 
female with three eggs, which had been taken from a hollow 
bur oak tree. 
FAMILY BUBONID/E: HORNED OWLS, ETC. 
Asio wilsonianns (Less.). A3IERICAA LOXG-EARED OWL. 
Formerly a very common resident. In such localities as 
furnish thick shelter, tangled underbrush and dense thickets, 
and undisturbed spots, it is yet quite common. More strictly 
nocturnal than the next. In southern Wisconsin almost 
invariably makes use of a last year's crow's nest, to which is 
added a lining of various materials, and in this part of the 
state two broods are often reared in a season. 
Asio accipitrinns (Pall.). SHORT-EARED OWL. 
More common, at least locally, than formerly. In prairie 
and marshy regions a very common fall migrant, to a less 
extent a winter resident, and not infrequently remains through- 
out the summer and breeds, even in the southern counties. 
The species has been known to nest at Delavan, Albion, 
Stoughton, Stevens Point, and more commonly (?) in the north 
and north-central parts of the state. Is commonly seen hunt- 
ing over the marshes on cloudy days, and during the nesting 
season is frequently noted about at any time, often sailing high 
overhead like a hawk. Except, perhaps, during the nesting 
time, when it feeds the young largely on birds, it is very bene- 
ficial, existing almost entirely on mice, grasshoppers, etc. A 
1. Cooke, Bird Migration in the Miss. Valley, U. S. Dept. Agriculture, 
1888, p. 121. 
