.BARN OWLS 



1907 



intermediate stage to one where the eye discs are rusty red, the under parts tawny, 

 and the back darker than usual; while in other cases the discs may be gray, and 

 the whole plumage tend more or less to this tinge. In other instances, however, 

 gray may exist only on the discs, while both the upper and under parts are of 

 various shades of tawny and yellowish brown. Mr. Dresser remarks that the 

 American form is slightly larger and darker, and the Indian variety both darker 

 and of a clearer gray above than the ordinary type. 



BARN OWI.S. 



(One-third natural size.) 



In Britain the barn owl is generally distributed, and resident 

 throughout the year, although it becomes less numerous in Scotland, 

 and as far north as Ross and Caithness, but seldom nests. Strictly nocturnal in its 

 habits, this owl spends the day in the recesses of buildings, or in hollow trees, gen- 

 erally standing with closed eyes. Like other owls, it associates in pairs; and such 

 pairs, if undisturbed, will return year after year to the same nesting place. In 



