BARN OWL. 183 



in the Highlands, probably owing to the absence of 

 suitable haunts. 



Breeding habits : This, the most familiar of all our 

 British Owls, is a resident in the British Islands, and 

 confined for the most part to well-cultivated and populated 

 districts. It frequents ruins, outbuildings, farmhouses, 

 church towers, dove-cots, hollow trees, and ranges of 

 cliffs ; less frequently pine woods. The Barn Owl pairs 

 for life, and lives in close company with its mate for the 

 greater part of the year. The bird is neither gregarious 

 nor social, and each pair keep to a chosen haunt and to 

 themselves. The day haunt of the Barn Owl is usually 

 the bird's nesting-place. This hole is usually thickly 

 strewn with pellets containing the refuse of the bird's 

 prey ; and on these pellets the eggs are laid, with no 

 other provision whatever. The bird keeps close to its 

 nest until compelled reluctantly to leave it. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Barn Owl are from three to six, or rarely 

 seven, in number. They are somewhat rough in texture, 

 with no polish, and pure white without markings. 

 Average measurement, v6 inch in length, by i'2 inch in 

 breadth. Incubation, performed by both sexes in turn, 

 lasts about twenty-one days. In many cases the eggs 

 are sat upon as soon as laid, so that eggs in various 

 stages of development, and chicks of different ages may 

 be found in the same nest together. 



Diagnostic characters : The situation of the 

 " nest" is the best means of distinguishing the eggs of 

 the Barn Owl from those of the Long-eared and Short- 

 eared Owls ; whilst from those of the Tawny Owl (nesting 

 in similar situations) they are readily distinguished by 

 their smaller size. 



