Page:Bird-lore Vol 06.djvu/263

 The Short-cared Owl

By WILLIAM BUTCHER

cnamnan Xannnal Committee of Auduhﬂﬂ sntielil“

DESCRIPTION

.rlulr Male and ftmaleAGeIIeral aspect above Mack and nthraceous mixed. each leather having a dark crnrsr min an edliﬂg as other marks at nchucenusf the lei-lulu averaging (onslderahly darker rlnn the males, bolh Ill: black and uthrzteou! belng more intense. wings and nil dark brownt above barred with scaraueua ol varying shades. the under Sudan 0! nnrn hem: my marxealy lizhler in color. Undernarls varying trans almost White in the male to deep ncnrareous in in: lemale: streaked broadly an ﬁnish and narrowly on abdw men and Hanks. with dark brown. Face with a large whiis or my pal: huﬁ HM and large black rings about eytir nm and (laws almost blast toes ieainercd [0 has: at claws: eyes large and trim yellow in wins.

Slzti Varies xtom lLXo m "5.7, inches irorn tiv oi bill to end at taiL

Km.» ls always an the ground. hidden in a tall bunch al grass or weeds. in a slim hollow not over two inrhes m depth. The |minz of in: nest is a few leathers and a small quantity nl and grass.

£1g1,—Usuall) lrnm lnur In seven in number. white in (olnr. usually with a hint (reamy tint (Hellﬁre).

The distribution of the Short»eared Owl is so extended that it may properly be considered one of the most cosmopolitan of all species of birds. It is found in nearly all parts of the Western Hemisphere, except portions of the West Indies: and it also inhabits the Eastern Hemisphere, except Australia. In the United States it breeds northward from about latitude 39 degrees. This species is more migratory in its habits than most of the other Owls; sometimes being found in quite large bodies, especially on the south ward migration after the breeding season is over.

If all birds were named from some prominent characteristic, this species of Owl might properly be called the Marsh Owl, as it shuns the wooded districts. and is found almost exclusively in the open country—marshes. meadows, savannas. and beaches along the coast. While these Owls commonly hunt for food at night, yet they are very much more diurnal in their habits than most of the other species of Owls; and it is no uncommon occurrence to see Short-eared Owls coursing over a meadow in the daytime. especially if it is somewhat cloudy or dark, or is early or late in the day. When not hunting. they remain hidden in the tall grass or weeds. from which they will not flush very easily.

Economically. the Short-cared Owl is of the utmost value and deserves the most rigid protection. All of the evidence obtainable regarding this species indicates that its food consists almost exclusively of noxious animals, with some insects. Referring to Bulletin No. 3. United States Depart- ment of Agriculture. it is stated : "Fully 7s per cent of the stomachs exam- ined contain mice. The remains of as many as six of these little mammals were found in one stomach. and several contained three or four each. Of the other mammals which this Owl feeds upon may be mentioned shtews. gophers. and sometimes small rabbits. In one specimen a pellet ready for regurgitation contained ten nearly perfect skulls of shrews." The same character of testimony comes from both Europe and Asia. for in Yarrell's

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