166 LAND BIRDS 
records of purple grackle, jays, and tree swallows nesting 
beneath the bulky platform, thus attesting their faith in 
the friendly attitude of their carnivorous neighbor. 
365. AMERICAN BARN OWL. — Strix pratincola. 
Famity: The Barn Owls. 
Length: 18.00. 
Adults: Upper parts mottled gray and tawny, finely streaked with black 
and white ; face white to light brown; under parts white to tawny, 
with triangular spots of black or dark brown ; wings and tail tawny, 
barred with black. 
Geographical Distribution: United States generally, south to Mexico. 
California Breeding Range: Suitable localities in the latitude of the 
State of Sonora, in the northwest of Mexico. 
Breeding Season: April 1 to June 30. 
Nest: In holes in the ground, holes in river banks, hollow trees, old 
crow’s nests, barns, belfry towers, ete. The nests are scantily made, 
with a few sticks, straw, bones, and other refuse. 
Eggs: 5 to 8; plain, dead white. Size 1.72 X 1.35. 
WHEN the sun sinks behind the oak trees and the 
shadows creep over the valleys, the Barn Owl hurries to 
the nearest meadow or marsh land on a hunting trip. If 
it has young at home in the nest, its flight will be swift 
and noiseless, as it crosses the intervening fields at short 
intervals, carrying mice, gophers, and ground squirrels. 
Nine mice form a meal for the brood, and sixteen mice 
have been carried to the nest in twenty-five minutes, 
besides three gophers, a squirrel, and a good-sized rat. 
Karly in April the Barn Owl begins its nesting, laying 
one white egg every other day until there are from five 
to ten or eleven hidden in an old crow’s nest, or in a 
hollow tree, or even in a hole ina bank. The cares of 
incubation are shared by both birds, and last from three 
