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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 are 

 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 flight 

 is rather slow and entirely noiseless, as is that of 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 half 

 of the United States. 



