FAMILY ALUCONIDJE 



BARN OWL 

 365. Aluco pratincola. 18 in. 



Plumage very soft, finely barred and specked; gen- 

 eral coloration gray, yellowish-brown and white. No 

 ear tufts; eyes small and brown; face very long; legs 

 very long. These peculiar owls aie abundant in the 

 south, where they are commonly known as " Monkey - 

 faced Owls," because of their odd visage. They arc 

 very useful birds, and are usually recognized as such. 

 Their food consists almost wholly of small squirrels, 

 rodents, reptiles and insects. It does most of its hunt- 

 ing just after dusk and early in the morning. Its night 

 is rather slow and entirely noiseless, as is that oi all 

 the members of the family. 



Nest. In hollow trees, under the roofs of barns or in 

 caves; the four to six eggs are pure white. (l.TOx 1.30). 



Range. United States, breeding north to New York, 

 Ontario, and Washington. Winters in the southern hall 

 of the United States. 



