1U4 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



construct a nest of coarse, rude sticks, and lav from three to 

 six white, nearly spherical eggs. The females are generally 

 larger than the males, but the sexes are colored alike. 



Owls are certainly the most cosmopolitan of species, and 

 can readily adapt themselves in general habits to surroun- 

 ding circumstances. About two hundred species, which 

 are embraced in about fiftv genera, pass current. Dr. Cones 

 feels confident that the former can be reduced one third, and 

 the latter one half. 



Strix flammea, var. americana, Cones. 



The Barn Owl quite rarely occurs north of Pennsylvania 

 along the Atlantic coast, although Mr. Lawrence has met 

 with it in the vicinity of New York. Its presence has even 

 been detected in three instances in the New England States. 

 In the Southern States, it is more or less common as far as 

 South Carolina, where it occurs in greater abundance. Its 

 range thence extends westward to the Pacific. In Texas 

 and New Mexico, it is quite plentiful, but decidedly more 

 so in California. Owing to the desolate character of the 

 scenery through which he passed, and its decided preference 

 for human habitations, Dr. Woodhouse failed to encounter 

 any of these birds in his expedition to the Zuni River. Drs. 

 Heerman and Gambel found them quite abundant about the 

 Catholic Missions in California, nesting under the tilted roofs 

 of houses, before the rapid increase of these parts in popula- 

 tion. They were wont to drink the holy oil from consecrated 

 lamps, which fact was often mentioned when reference was 

 made to this bird in the presence of priests.. In a subsequent 

 visit to California, it occurred in great numbers throughout 

 the country, seeking shelter among the reeds of Suison 

 Valley, and nesting in the crevices and crannies of the once 

 stately, but now dilapidated buildings of the aforementioned 

 Missions. Others have met it along the coast in great 

 abundance, where it oCcasionallv excavates holes in high 

 vertical cliffs. On the banks of the Rio Frio, in Texas. 



