234 BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN NEW YORK 



Nest, in trees, generally a deserted crow's or hawk's nest. 

 Eggs, white. 



The Long-eared Owl is a rather uncommon permanent 

 resident of New York and New England. Like all the 

 larger owls, it is more common in the wilder parts of its 

 range. It frequents swampy woods or thick evergreens, 

 hunting at night and hiding in thick foliage by day. Its 

 cry is "said by some to resemble the noise made by 

 kittens, while others state that it is like the barking of 

 small dogs" (Fisher). It may be known by its size, inter- 

 mediate between the Screech Owl and the Great Horned 

 Owl, and by its conspicuous ear-tufts, Mdiich rise from the 

 middle and not the sides of the head. (See also Screech 

 Owl, Fig. 71, p. 230.) If it faces an observer, the rusty' 

 brown facial disk is conspicuous. 



BARN OWLS : FAMILY STRIGIDiE 



American Barn Owl. Strix pratincola 



18.00 



Ad. — Upper parts buff y-yellow, mixed with white and gray, 

 and speckled with black ; under parts varying from white to 

 bright tawny, dotted with black ; disk varying from white to 

 tawn}'. 



Nest, in a tower, steeple, or hole in a tree. Eggs, white. 



The Barn Owl is a rare but regular resident from Long 

 Island and northern New Jersey southward. It very rarely 

 issues forth in the daytime. Bendire describes its common 

 cry as a '• peevish scream," frequently heard at night ; he 

 mentions also ^' a feeble querulous note sounding somewhat 

 like the call of the Nighthawk," and '' an unpleasant hiss- 

 ing noise." If seen perching, it will be readily recognized 

 by its white or tawny face, encircled by a reddish-brown 

 ring, and by its conspicuous long legs, which are not hidden 

 by its plumage, as in the other owls. 



