■2 7 A Reed, Notes on the American Barn O-mI. \o^\ 



I have corresponded with all the leading Ornithologists of the 

 State, and have seen nearly all the Horned Larks which they 

 have in their collections. My thanks are due to the parties 

 named in this article for loaning or allowing me to view the speci- 

 mens here recorded. All previous records relating to the occur- 

 rence of these birds in Maine are open to grave doubts, owing to 

 the uncertainty as to which of the Horned Larks they refer. 



Since writing the above article, I have learned that Mr. C. D. 

 Farrar took a specimen of pratico/a from a flock of eight or ten, 

 near Lewiston, Feb. 26, 1897, and that it was identified by Mr. 

 Brewster. For records of these birds, published elsewhere since 

 my article was written, cf. Knight, ' List of the Birds of Maine,' p. 

 82, and Morrell, 'The Osprey,' June, 1897, p. 137. 



NOTES ON THE AMERICAN BARN OWL IN 

 EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.! 



BY J. HARRIS REED. 



The breeding range of the Barn Owl {Strix pratincola) , with 

 few exceptions, does not extend north of Pennsylvania or New 

 Jersey. It is locally distributed throughout its range, being- 

 restricted to such localities as afford an ample food supply for 

 its wants. The extensive meadow lands along the Delaware 

 River, south of Philadelphia, are its most favorite retreat, in this 

 vicinity. Most of the trees which were scattered over these 

 meadows and stood as old land-marks for roosting and nesting 

 places of this bird for many years have been destroyed by storm 

 or axe, and the Owls have been compelled to a great extent to 

 seek quarters over the adjoining country ; a few, however, still 

 remain. 



'Read before the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, Philadelphia, April 

 15, 1S97. 



