Fig. 7.—Field-mouse skulls taken from pellets found under owl roost in Smithsonian tower, Washington, D. C.
In 360 pellets of the long-eared owl Dr. Fisher found skulls of 374 small mammals, of which 349 were meadow mice. Stomach examinations give similar testimony to the usefulness of this bird.
The common screech owl, in addition to feeding mainly upon mice, destroys also a good many English sparrows. Its habit of staying in orchards and close to farm buildings makes it especially useful to the farmer in keeping his premises free from both house and field mice.
WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1915
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