Evening star., 1947-04-17
This and That.
BIZ Charles E. TracetDell.
"COMYNHOLM ESTAT1

Dear Sir: 8
IT have enjoyed your column for many
years, having always been interested in
bird and animal life. The spot in Wash
ington where I live bordering Rock
Greek Park near Porter street seems
natural bird haven with plenty of
natural feed and water.
"The last few weeks I have been
watching a barred owl, and recital OF
today's events seems worth reporting.
About $50 am. went out on the lawn
to have a look at the weather and the
owl flew up from the ground to q perch
he roosts in during the day about so
feet up big pine on the place.
HE had something in his claws so
I got my bird glasses and started watch
ing.
I, "a group of jays and mockingbirds
were fuSsing around the owl by this
time. And he made short flight to
another large tree nearby. I could see
now that what he had was rat, as
the rats tail hung down and I could
make out part of the body.
1.-The small birds kept him (?) on the
move again and out of sight. However
at am. he was back at his roost and
he has been there all day, finally leav-
ing about pm. for another tree, where
he sat close to the trunk until about
7:30 pm, when he flew off.
HE has chosen for his roost limb
Of the pine tree where several squirrels
habitually run back and forth to
smaller trees branches. I noticed one
squirrel get to within yard of the
owl, then stop and retreat. The owl
turned his head but otherwise gave
no sign that he was disturbed.
IT have checked his appearance with
Audubon's plate No. 46, showing adult
male, as think am correct in refer
ring to him.
cit is seldom that large bird such
as this is around In the same spot dur
ing the day.
"The owls night life must be strenu-
GUS, he is so quiet during the day.
Yours truly, P. B. E."
~
Rear Admiral E. is to be congratu-
lated on having grand seat at such a
natural show.
The barred owl usually is a bird OF
the deep solitudes.
He is one of the owls which is called
hoot owl
He is 20 inches long, with wing
spread of A inches; he has no ear
tufts or horns.
The sexes look alike, the plumage be-
ing brown, barred with white. The
young are barred with rather light
brown.
The nest is almost always in hol-
low tree, but sometimes deserted
crow or hawk nest is used. Eggs run
from to 4, usually 3, plain white.
This big bird Is really swamp owl,
and is regarded as the best of all the
hooters.
The barred breast makes him
beauty to the human eye.
The cry Is composed of five "whoos,"
usually, followed by quicker "to-hoo-
hal"
The food habits of this bird are in
teresting. Intensive studies revealed
that so per cent Of stomachs examined
showed mice.
Spiders, various insects, frogs, lizards,
crawflSh-these are some of the foods
found, along with few songbirds.
DR.. T. Gilbert Peafson once wrote:
"This Is probably the reason why all
wildbirds have such dislike for an
owl, and one of the most interesting
sights of the woodland is to watch a
band of blue jays leading a mob of
feathered friends in an attack on
sleepy, sun-dazed and altogether dis
comf1ted barred owl"
Hawks work by day, the owls at
night. each complementing the other.
Owls capture their prey with their feet.
and swallow the victims entire, prefer
ably. disgorging the hair and bones as
pellets.
By examining these pellets. found
under owl nests and roosting places,
scientists have decided that all owls
should be classified - beneficial birds.