Species III. STRIX KEBULOSA. 
BARRED OWL. 
[Plate XXXIII. Fig. 2 ] 
TuRTOff, Sijst. 1G9.— ylrrf. ZiinJ. p. 2;U, No. 122.— Lath. 133. — Btrix acdamator, 
the WlwotiiKj Oirl, Bartr.\ji, 2.S9.* 
This is one of om- most common Owls. In -winter, particularly, it is 
numerous in tlie lower jiarts of Pennsylvania, among tlie woods that 
border the exten.sive meadows of Schuylkill and Delaware. It is very 
frequently ob.served flying during day, and certainly 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 w'as rudely put 
together, composed outwardly of sticks, intermixed with some dry grass, 
and leaves, and lined Avith 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 a.slcep. Unable to satisfy myself, I was induced to fire, Avhen, 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 probaljly not far distant. 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 ral.)bits .; 
mice, and small game, are, however, their most usual food. The differ- 
ence of size between the male and female of this Owl is extraordinary, 
amounting, sometimes, to nearly eight inches in the length. Both 
scream during the day like a HaAvk. 
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 b]-own and darker ; head smooth, very large, mottled with trans- 
verse touches of dark brown, pale brow^n and white ; eyes large, deep 
blue, the pupil not perceivable ; face, or radiated circle of the eyes, 
gray, surrounded by an outline of brown and white dots ; bill yellow, 
* We add the following synonymes : Slrix nehnlosa, Lath. Lid. Orn. p. 58. — 
Gmel. Si/st. I., p. 291. — Temm. Man. d' Orn. i., p. 88. 
(86) 
