212 
The Osprey frequents broad, shallow, tidal flats, shallow bays, and clear 
water, where the fish on the bottom are exposed to view, and not too deep 
for capture. In the interior, the species is constantly growing rarer, but 
it seems to hold its own on the seacoast much better. Its great bulky nest, 
upreared conspicuously, and added to year after year until it attains the 
proportions of a small haycock, constantly invites attack from the human 
nest robber, who imagines that because the Osprey is a Hawk and eats a 
few fish it can claim no consideration at his hands. Next to man, its 
worst enemy is the Bald Eagle which pursues and forces it to drop the 
hard-earned result of its fishing. With a clever swoop, the bold raider 
catches the fish in the air as it falls, and makes off with his booty. 
Economic Status. Though the food of the Osprey is entirely fish 
the antipathy that fishermen have for it is rather exaggerated. Feeding 
as it does in shallow waters it takes few fish of economic importance. On 
the coast, flounders, tomcod, and other small species form the bulk of its 
food. On the freshwater lakes, sunfish, perch, and suckers seem to be its 
staples. The number of game or marketable fish it catches is undoubtedly 
small. In eleven stomach examinations there was none. Trout streams 
are not attractive to the species and most of the valuable fish such as bass 
and pickerel usually lie too deep for it to catch. 
SUBORDER— STRIGES. NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. OWLS 
The Owls are easily recognized. The cere hidden in the feathers of 
the face, and the striking facial disk or feather rings about the eyes (Figures 
234-238) are distinctive to the most casual observer. They are mostly 
nocturnal, but a few species habitually hunt by day and some others do 
so occasionally. Even the nocturnal Owls, however, see quite well by day. 
They may be momentarily dazed when brought suddenly from dark to 
bright light, and some species repose such confidence in immobility to 
escape detection as to allow themselves to be almost caught in the hand, 
but when finally they take flight they thread the tangled mazes of the 
tree tops and brush so unerringly that little doubt of their visual powers 
remains. 
The feathers are a most interesting feature in Owls. They are peculiar- 
ly soft and cling together in p way that keeps the air from passing through 
the small interstices and ensures the silent flight characteristic of the 
suborder. An Owl can pass so closely as to fan the face with its wing and 
yet be inaudible. 
Two families are represented in Canada: Aluconidae the Bam Owls, 
represented by one species which is an accidental visitor from the south; 
and Strigidae known as the Eared or Horned Owls, though many Canadian 
species of the family are without these feather ornaments. 
FAMILY — ALUCONIDAE. BARN OWLS 
The Barn Owls, sometimes called the Monkey-faced Owls from the 
heart-shaped character of the united facial disks, are represented in Canada 
by only one species and that species is rare. The middle claw is pectinated, 
having comb-like teeth on its inner edge (like the Herons, Figure 20, page 26) 
and the inner toe is as long as the middle instead of being slightly shorter 
as in the Horned Owls. 
