A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
655 
above and more mottled below, growing whiter toward vent. 
Legs feathered with plain buff. Bill and claws dusky blue-black. 
Note: A quaver. 
Season: Summer resident, remaining until late fall. 
Nest. Of hay and sticks; commonly on the ground in a little hollow 
or clump of bushes. 
Eggs: 4-7; dirty white. 
A valuable bird, that preys upon meadow mice and other 
small vermin, and is wholly useful to the agriculturist. 
This is also called the Marsh Owl, or Swamp Owl, from 
the fact that in this state it is often seen in the lowlands hunt- 
ing for mice during the daytime. It is found over the greater 
portion of the entire earth, except Australia, although during 
the summer with us it is rare, as it then dwells north of our 
state. In the fall great numbers of these birds pass to the 
southward, working over the low meadows and gathering 
their food day by day as they go. It is not an uncommon thing 
to see them fly up, as one crosses such a field during the latter 
part of autumn. Ten or a dozen may be found on the ground 
searching the grass for their food, although they do not live 
in flocks, but scattered over the fields some rods apart. The 
common name is given to them because of the so-called ear 
tufts, which are very short and inconspicuous, being much 
shorter than the middle toe with the claw. The color of the 
bird varies from bright tawny to bufify white, with conspicuous 
large brown stripes. The feathers toward the center of the 
disk immediately around the eye are black. The eyes them- 
selves are dark, and not as large as in the other kinds of 
Owls. The bird is from 13 to 17 inches in length, and has a 
spread of wings of about 43 inches. — Fisher. 
Barred Owl: Syrnium nebulosum. R. 
Length: 18-20 inches. 
Male and Female: Eyes blue-black, instead of the usual yellow iris. 
No ear tufts. Plumage mottled dark brown, rusty, and grayish. 
Striped on breast with dark brown. Face feathers white tipped. 
Wings and tail barred with brozvn. Legs and dark feet fully 
feathered and faintly barred. Bill ivory-colored. 
Note: A loud, guttural call. “ Koh ! Koh ! Ko, Ko, ho!” or “ Whah, 
whah, whah, whah-aa ! ” (Nuttall.) 
Season: Resident in Conn. 
Nest: In hollow tree or in crotch at some height from the ground. 
Eggs: 4-6, laid in February, March, and April. 
Ed. — 42 
