I'.AliX (J\\J>. 

 Strix pratincola. 



DESCRIPTION. 



I.f;ngth of female about 18 Inches; extent of wlnt'B about 

 4.;. The male Is rather smaller; no ear tufts; faelal disc well 

 developed but not circular; eyes black and rather small; lower 

 Iiart of long tarsus (shin) has short stiff feathers; toes nearly 

 nafied, but with some halr-llke feathers; feathers of body 

 downv. Colors brownish, ashy and while. 



Habitat.— Warmev parts of North Carolina, from the Mid- 

 dle States, Ohio valley, and California southward through 

 Mexico. Resident but not common In southern portions ol 

 Pennsylvania. 



The IJani Owl because of its supposed resemblance 

 lo a monkey is frequently called "Monkey-faced Owl." 

 This bird is highly beneficial to the farmer as it sub 

 sists chiefly on mici; and ral.s. It never commits dep- 

 redations in the poultry yard and raiely does it di'- 

 stro^y insectivorous birds. Notwithslanding the good 

 I his bird does by devouring legions of voracious ro- 

 dents, it, in common with other species of the owl 

 Iribe, is destroyed by fanners and sportsmen who be- 

 lieve they are doing that which will bi- ;i help to the 

 ftoultry and gaiiif; interests. 



Tiiis species breeds regularly in <3hester, Yoric, Lan- 

 caster, Cninbcriand and Dauphin counties of this 

 State; and no doubt in other counties also. However, 

 from (he best information I (;an obtain it is a rather 

 rail' visitor north of the southern part. O'f Pennsyl- 

 Miiiia, where in some sections, it is resident. 



THE NEST .\NI3 lOCflS. 



[ have never found the nest of this species, rcincern 

 iiig which Prof. Gentry writes as foih)vvs: 



"In the selection of a place for nesliiiK purposes, these owls 



15-n 



