10(1 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



entire duv within an occupied barn. Unoccupied buildings 



seemed to be given the preference. 



Latterly, it is an unusual occurrence for them to take up 

 their abode in such cosy quarters. In districts considerably 

 remote from thickly-populous quarters, there is still a strong 

 predilection for such places; but, in the vicinity of Gcrman- 

 town. dense pine woods, and even the cavities of trees 

 completely isolated from others and situated in the midst of 

 marshes or waste grounds, are mainly chosen. The dispo- 

 sition which some persons have, who are unacquainted with 

 the many good traits which these birds possess, to molest 

 them wherever found ; combined with the fact that in the 

 vicinity of somewhat dense populations, there is now a 

 manifest tendency on the part of our smaller birds, the King- 

 bird. Blackbird, and others which prove such sources of 

 annoyance to these birds, to nidificate in the immediate 

 presence of man. have, beyond question, induced these 

 remarkable changes of habit which we have so lengthily 

 detailed. 



It is generally believed that the Barn Owl is decidedly 

 crepuscular and nocturnal in its habits, never venturing out 

 from its hiding place in quest of the particular insects and 

 quadrupeds which constitute a conspicuous portion of its 

 diet. During cloudy weather, and even late in the afternoon, 

 it is no uncommon thing to find it abroad on such missions. 

 In the broad glare of noon, we have on a couple of occa- 

 sions, during the breeding-period, encountered it foraging 

 for food wherewith to feed its young. Like its larger, and 

 by no means distant kin, which will be the subject of 

 the succeeding sketch, it is highly probable that its daih 

 predatory excursions are more frequent than \ve suspect. 



Its food consists of rats. mice, small birds, insects, and 

 other creatures which are not only injurious but also bene- 

 ficial. It cannot be imagined that these birds can justly dis- 

 criminate between the enemies and friends of man. While 

 it destroys main animals which are highly beneficial, the 



