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Range (Nearly cosmopolitan breeding)

Nearly cosmopolitan, breeding in the United States locally from Virginia northward.

Washington, common W. V. Sing Sing, casual. Cambridge, uncommon T. V., Apl.; Oct. and Nov.

Nest, on the ground, in grassy marshes. Eggs, four to seven, 1.60 x 1.25. This species might well be named Marsh Owl, for, unlike most of our Owls, it does not frequent the woods, but lives in grassy marshes. It is not shy and does not take wing until almost stepped upon, when it arises noiselessly and flies low over the marsh. Sometimes it alights on a knoll or slight elevation and watches the intruder in the intent, half-human manner of Owls.

During the migrations and in the winter this bird is occasionally found in flocks or colonies containing one or two hundred individuals. "Of 101 stomachs examined, 11 contained small birds; 77, mice; 7, other mammals; 7, insects; and 14 were empty" (Fisher). 368. Syrnium nebulosum (Forst.). BARRED OWL; HOOT OWL. (Seo Fig. 31.) Ad.-No car-tufts; upper parts grayish brown, each feather with e OWLS. two or three white or buffy white bars; tail with six to eight similar bars; facial disk gray, finely barred or mottled with fuscous; under parts white, more or less tinged with buffy, the breast barred, the sides and belly broadly streaked with fuscous; bill yellow; legs and feet feathered to or near the bases of the nails; eyes brownish black. L., 2000; W., 13.50; T., 9.50; B., 1.50.