292 BARX-OWL. 



it is fairly numerous, though somewhat local in its distribution ; 

 and throughout Western Europe it is a well-known species. It is 

 found in the Azores, Madeira, the Canaries, and the Cape Verde 

 Islands, Northern Africa as far east as Egypt, and in Palestine ; in 

 the north-eastern portion of the Mediterranean basin, however, it is 

 seldom met with, though occurring in Mesopotamia and down to 

 the head of the Persian Gulf Over the above-mentioned area light 

 as well as dark phases are found. Making allowance for climatic 

 varieties which Dr. R. B. Sharpe and other authorities do not con- 

 sider entitled to specific distinction, this Owl may be described as 

 ranging over the African region inclusive of Madagascar, the Indian, 

 Malayasian, Australian and Polynesian regions ; as well as in 

 America and its islands, from about 40" N. to 40° S. lat. 



The Barn-Owl takes up its abode in church-towers and belfries, 

 farm- and other buildings, hollow trees, dovecotes, and clefts in walls 

 or cliffs. It makes no nest, though castings may be found round 

 the eggs. These are sometimes laid in pairs ; six, nearly fresh, 

 having been found alongside of three nestlings, while two or three 

 stages of the latter may occur simultaneously. Incubation occa- 

 sionally begins towards the end of March, though usually in April 

 or May, while it has been known to take place up to November afid 

 December. The eggs are dull white : measurements i'6 by i"2 in. 

 There is no evidence that this species does any harm to eggs or 

 pigeons in the dovecotes which it often inhabits, while it feeds 

 chiefly on voles and field-mice, thereby entitling itself to protection 

 on the part of the agriculturist; it also eats rats, bats, small birds, 

 insects, and occasionally small surface-swimming fish. During the 

 daytime the Barn-Owl generally remains concealed, though when 

 disturbed I have seen it flitting in no uncertain manner in the 

 brilliant sunshine of the south ; but it seeks its food in the dusk of 

 evening and at nights. Its cry is a loud weird .shriek, and a snoring 

 sound is emitted by young and old. 



The typical adult has the upper parts orange-buff, minutely varie- 

 gated with brown, grey and white ; facial disk white with a brownish 

 rim ; under parts white. The dark form has the upper parts greyer, 

 with darker spots and vermiculations ; the facial disk tinged with 

 orange, and its rim blackish : under parts warm orange-buff with 

 clearly-defined blackish-grey spots. Bill white ; operculum (or skin 

 which covers the orifice of the ear) large ; legs covered with white 

 hair-like feathers. Length 13-5 in; wing 11-25. The female is slightly 

 larger than the male. The young bird, at first covered with white down, 

 hardly differs from the adult after its feathers have been assumed. 



