ings of any note. They differ from each other, however, in the relative lengths
of tNhoe. q2u,i lol ff ethateh esrasm. e dimensions with the preceding (No. 1), and, therefore, most
probably of the same sex, has the third quill feather equal to the sixth, and the
second to the seventh, the fourth and fifth being the longest, as above.
No. 3, twenty-six inches long, had the quill feathers of the same relative lengths
witNh oN. o4., a1.lso twenty-six inches long, corresponded in the quill feathers with No. 2.
No. 5, which was the largest, being twenty-seven inches long, had the fourth
quill feather two lines shorter than the fifth, the third perceptibly shorter than the
sixth, and the second an inch and a half shorter than the third. In all the specimens
the first quill feather was a little shorter than the ninth, and between four
and four inches and a half shorter than the fourth or fifth.
The ear and operculum of the Great Cinerema Chat, showing the roots or quills only of the feathers. One of the
ruff feathers of its natural size. The bffl of the same, with merely a few pf the basal feathers, that the form of the
nostrils may be seen.
STRIGIDjE. 81
[21.] 4. Strix nebulosa.'' (Forster.) Barred Owl.
, SGterinxu nse.b uSlotsriax, .a ndL iGnrney. OSwulb. -geFnus, Ulula, Cuvier. orst. Phil. Trans., lxii., pp. 386, 424. Gmelin. Syst.
. Barred Owl. Lath. Syn., i.,,p. 133, sp. 18. Penn. Arct. Zool% ii., p. 234, sp. 122.
Strix nebulosa. Lath. Ind., i., p. 58.
Barred Owls W ilson. Ora., iv., p. 61, pi. 33, f. 2.
Strix nebulosa. Temm. i.? p. 88. Bonap. Syn., p. 38, sp. 30.
This Owl, which is also a native of Northern Europe, was first described by
Dr. Forster, from a Hudson’s Bay specimen sent to the Royal Society by Mr.
Graham. It is probably an inhabitant of the southern districts of the fur-countries
only, as we had not the fortune to meet with a specimen to the northward; nor
is it mentioned by Mr. Hutchins in his remarks on the birds frequenting the country
at the mouth of Nelson river. Wilson says it is one of the most common Owls
in the United States. He informs us that it is very frequently observed flying
during the day, and that it certainly sees more distinctly at that time than many
others of the same genus. It lays four or five nearly globular white eggs, in a
nest, built in a tree, of sticks intermixed with dry grass and leaves, and lined with
smaller twigs. It preys on mice, young rabbits, and grouse; and, according to
the same author, both male and female, which differ remarkably in size, scream
during the day like a Hawk. Not having seen an American specimen, the
following description is borrowed from Wilson.
DESCRIPTION,
Extracted from Wilson’s Ornithology.
“ The male Barred Owl measures sixteen inches and a half in length, and thirty-eight inches
in extent. Upper parts a pale brown, marked with transverse spots of white. Wings barred
with alternate bands of pale-brown and darker. Head smooth, very large, mottled with
transverse touches of dark-brown, pale-brown, and white. Eyes large, deep-blue *, the pupil
not perceivable. Face, or radiated circle of the eyes, grey, surrounded by an outline of brown
and white dots. Bill yellow, tinged with green; breast barred transversely with rows of brown
and white; belly streaked longitudinally with long stripes of brown on a yellowish ground;
vent plain yellowish-white ; thighs and feathered legs the same, slightly pointed with brown;
toes nearly covered with plumage ; claws dark horn-colour, very sharp. Tail rounded, and
* Irides brown— Temminck.
M