292 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



white wings and tail was noted near Ripponden in 1784, 

 and one of a general dark cream colour, with distinct markings 

 of a darker shade on the back, was in the collection of Hugh 

 Reid of Doncaster. 



The only vernacular name in use is Gowk or Gawk, which 

 is applied generally in country districts. 



Blue Pen is a term given to the young birds when first 

 fledged. 



BARN OWL. 



Strix flammea {L.). 



Resident, generally distributed, fairly common ; most numerous 

 in the south of the county. 



Historically, the oldest reference to this species is in 

 Willughby's "Ornithology" (1678, p. 21), thus:— "This Mr. 

 Johnson [of Brignall, near Greta Bridge], calls the Church Owl." 



Thomas A His, 1844, wrote : — 



Strix flammea. — Barn Owl — Becoming scarce in the neighbourhood 

 of Halifax, Hudderstield, and Hebden Bridge, where factories and 

 tall chimnies have driven them from their former haunts. It is plenti- 

 fully met with in other parts of the county. 



This, the most generally distributed of the Owls in York- 

 shire, whilst found in a lesser or greater degree of abundance 

 in all districts, appears to be more numerous in the southern 

 portion of the county than elsewhere ; it is rare in the high 

 reaches of the western and north-western dales, and apparently 

 these districts are not suitable to its requirements. Several 

 pairs were turned out in the Hodder Valley a few years ago ; 

 they bred, but soon disappeared and have not been seen since ; 

 near Eavestone this bird breeds in rocky cliffs. In Wensley- 

 dale, and in some other localities, the decrease of this useful 

 and interesting bird is to be deplored, though it is a pleasure 

 to state that numerous correspondents allude to its receiving 

 protection from the farmers ; and now that this class of 

 the community has learned to appreciate the services rendered 

 by this bird, it is to be hoped that before many more years 



