266 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



throughout the year, though more numerous during the breed- 

 ing season. It nests freely within the city, even occasionally in 

 the business district (Hall Bldg. 1916), where it may also be 

 seen in winter feeding on the bountiful supply of English Spar- 

 rows. It will nest in any kind of a cavity and should be en- 

 couraged to remain by the placing of properly constructed nest- 

 ing boxes. 



The Sparrow Hawk has been proven to be a decidedly bene- 

 ficial species, as it destroys large quantities of noxious insects 

 and English Sparrows. 



Family PANDIONIDAE. Ospreys. 



PANDION HALIAETUS CAROLINENSIS (Gmelin). Osprey. 

 Not uncommon migrant; former summer resident. 



The Pish Hawk is seen regularly during April and early May 

 and in September and October. It may be looked for on the 

 Missouri River or about large ponds and lakes. Three were 

 seen over the Lake of the Woods on September 12, 1914, and 

 single birds have been frequently observed there. 



The last pair known to have nested in the county was re- 

 ported by Bryant in 1884. This pair had their nest on the 

 rocks on a high point of the bluffs north of Independence. 



The Osprey is said to breed in the bottom timber a few coun- 

 ties to the north. 



Suborder Striges. Owls. 

 Family ALUCONIDAE. Barn Owls. 



ALUCO PRATINCOLA (Bonaparte). 



TYTO ALBA PRATINCOLA Hartert. Proposed October, 1916. 



Barn Owl. 

 Uncommon resident. 



Specimens of the Barn Owl taken in this vicinity during 

 May, June and July show that the bird must breed here, and 

 there is one locally taken set of eggs known. Bush and Tindall 

 state that it breeds in the neighborhood of Courtney and Inde- 

 pendence. 



It may be looked for about open farming country as well as 



