ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS.


Bubo Virginianus arcticus is a northern form which occurs rarely as a
winter visitant. Dr. Hoy knew of one of these birds which carried off from
oine farm in the space of a month not less than twenty-seven individuals
of
various kinds of poultry before it was shot.
155. SCOPS ASIO (LINN.), BP. REV) OWL; MOTTLED OWL; SCREECH OWL.
GROUP Il1. CLASS b.
Common. Resident. It is a frequent visitor to dwellings, but its small size
renders it harmless to poultry, except when young. It feeds extensively upon
insects, but some of these are diurnal and preyed upon by many other birds.
Its familiarity, its haunts and its destruction of small birds are such-that
should
it be found possible for our feathered friends to assume an over-abundance,
it
may be expected to prove very effectual in holding them within proper bounds.
Food: The stomach of one specimen examined was distended with ten large
caterpillars and six grasshoppers, and contained a few small seeds.
Mice, small birds, crickets and beetles (Wilson). Small birds, mice and insects
(Cooper). Mice and insects (De Kay). Injurious night-flying moths and beetles,
s;mall mammals, and occasionally birds (Samuels). Small birds, field-mice
and
moles (Audubon). Golden-winged Woodpecker (Mr. A. Fowler). Mice, beetles
and vermin; occasionally, when they have young, small birds (Brewer). Nuttall
mentions finding in a hollow stump which contained a single brood of this
species several Bluebirds and Song Sparrows.
156. Asio WILSONIANUS (LESS.), COUES. AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL.
GROUP II. CLASS C.
This Owl is quite common, and frequents cultivated fields and the vicinity
of
dwellings at night. During the day it affects groves and woods, where it
nests.
Food: Three out of four specimens examined had their stomachs entirely
empty; in the fourth there were a few hairs of some mouse.
Entirely small mammals; it is doubtful if they ever attack poultry (Cooper).
Smaller quadrupeds and birds (De Kay). Chiefly quadrupeds, insects, and,
to
some extent, small birds; Audubon mentions finding the stomach of one stuffed
with feathers, hairs and bones (Brewer).
157. AsIO ACCIPITERINUS (PALL.), NEWT. SHORT-EARED OWL. GROUP 1I.
CLASS C.
Mr. Nelson speaks of this species as the most abundant Owl in Northeastern
Illinois, where it arrives in large numbers the first of November, and disperses,
through the state. It frequents marshes and prairies in preference to woodlands,
and is thus brought especially in contact with field-mice.
Food: It is said to be an excellent mouser (Wilson). Almost exclusively field-
mnice and hard-winged insects (De Kay). Pellets disgorged by this Owl, and
found near its nest, consisted of the bones of small quadrupeds, mixed with
hair
and the wings of beetles (Audubon).
158. STRIX CINEREA, GM. GREAT GREY OWL. GROUP III. CLASS I
While this species is only a winter resident, its destructiveness to small
birds
unites it closely to agricultural interests even when it is in its summer
home.
Food: Mr. Dall found its food to consist principally of small birds. At one
time he took from the stomach of one of these birds no less than thirteen
crania


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