OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 1(5.') 



Mr. }. II. Clark has found it nesting in holes which it had 

 burrowed into cliffs. Upon the banks of the Lower Rio 

 Grande, it is rather common ; and in the Territory of Arizo- 

 na. Dr. Cones found it quite abundant, and even preying 1 

 upon Blackbirds in the middle of the day. It is recorded 

 that a pair of these Owls nested for two successive seasons 

 in the top of the Smithsonian building, subsequent to its 

 partial destruction. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, the Barn Owl, during the past 

 two years, has been less abundant than formerly, not more 

 than two or three pairs having been seen during this space 

 of time. With the increase of population, they have doubt- 

 less betaken themselves to safer quarters, where they can 

 pursue their daily round of duties, without fear of molesta- 

 tion. In our boyhood days, they were common denizens in 

 the vicinity of farmhouses. Their disposition was then 

 comparatively bold and unsuspicious. In the dusk of the 

 evening, they would betake themselves to the barnyard while 

 the chores were being performed, perch upon the fence, or 

 a tree close-by, ever constant on the alert for prey, and utterly 

 unmindful of the near presence of human beings. If dis- 

 turbed while thus occupied, they would retire to a short dis- 

 tance, but to return on noiseless wings a few minutes there- 

 after to the post which they previously deserted. When the 

 barn door is carelessly left open, they do not hesitate to enter, 

 such is their penchant for the vermin which lurk in such 

 buildings. The immense good which they were wont to 

 accomplish in the wholesale destruction of rats and mice, 

 was amply and freely repaid by the most generous welcome 

 which the farmers of those days were accustomed to accord 

 to them. During the daytime they would repair to dense 

 thickets, principally of evergreens ; or, to the hollows of 

 trees where they would remain until the close of the dav. 

 Occasionally, they would seek a dark and secure retreat in 

 some outbuilding, and have even been known to spend the 



