STKIGlDvE — THE OWLS. 



15 



atrix JJammea. 



In the vicinity of Philadelpliia the Barn Owl is not very rare, but is 

 more common in spring and autumn than in the summer. Its nests have 

 been found in hollow trees near marshy meadows. Soutliward it is more or 

 less common as far as South 

 Carolina, wliere it becomes more 

 alnmdant, and its range then 

 extends south and west as far 

 as tlie Pacitiu. It is qnite ])lenti- 

 ful in Te.xas and New lle.xico, 

 and is one of the most abundant 

 birds of California. It was not 

 met with by Dr. "Woodhonse in 

 the expedition to the Zuni IJiver, 

 but this may be attributed to the 

 desolate character of the country 

 through which he passed, as it is 

 chiefly found aliout habitations, 

 and is never met with in wooded 

 or wild regions. 



Dr. Heermann and Dr. (Jambel, 

 wjio visited California before the present increase in population, spieak of 

 its favorite resort as being in the neighborhood of the Missions, and of 

 its nesting under the tiled roofs of the houses. Tlie latter also refers to 

 his finding numbers under one roof, and states that they showed no fear 

 when approached. The propensity of the California bird to drink the sacred 

 oil from tlie consecrated lamps about the altars of the Missions was fre- 

 quently referred to by the priests, whenever any allusion was made to this 

 Owl. Dr. Gambel also found it about farm-houses, and occasionally in the 

 prairie valleys, where it obtains an abundance of food, such as mice and 

 otiier small animals. 



Dr. Heermann, in a subsequent visit to tlie State, mentions it as being a 

 very common liird in all parts of California. Tliey were once quite numer- 

 ous among the hollow trees in tlie vicinity of Sacramento, but liave 

 gradually disappeared, as tlieir old haunts were one by one destroyed to 

 make way for the gradual development and growth of that city. Dr. Heer- 

 mann found a large numlier in the winter, sheltered during the day among 

 the reeds of Suisun Valley. Tiiey were still abundant in the old Catholic 

 Missions, where they frequented the ruined walls and towers, and constructed 

 their nests in the crevices and nooks of those once stately buildings, now 

 falling to decay. These ruins were also a shelter for innumeralde bats, 

 reptile.s, and vermin, which formed an additional attraction to the Owls. 



Dr. Cooper speaks of finding this Owl abundant throughout Southern 

 California, especially near the coast, and Dr. Newljerry frequently met with 

 it about San Francisco, San Diego, and Monterey, where it was more com- 



