308 OSPREYS: OWLS 



Keewatin, s. Ungava, and N. F. s. to L. Calif., w. Mex., and the Gulf coast; 

 winters from the s. U. S. through L. Calif, and Mex. to the West Indies and 

 Cen. Am.; occurs also in S. A. s. to Peru and Paraguay. 



Washington, uncommon S. R., Mch. 19-Nov. 30. Ossining, common 

 T. V., rare S. R., Apl. 3-May 26; Sept. 29-Oct. 20. Cambridge, rather 

 common T. V., Apl.-May; Sept.-Oct. N. Ohio, rare S. R., Apl. 20-Oct. 

 Glen Ellyn, two records, May and Sept. 



Nest, generally in a tree, 20-50 feet up, sometimes on rocks, rarely on 

 the ground. Eggs, 2-4, extremely variable, sometimes dull white, unmarked, 

 sometimes almost solid chocolate, but generally buffy white, heavily marked 

 with chocolate, chiefly at the larger end, 2*45 x 1*80. Date, Bull's Mt., Md., 

 Apl. 20; Shelter Is., N. Y., May 3; Carver's Harbor, Maine, May 8. 



This species lives in colonies, and also in pairs, along our coasts, 

 returning year after year to the same nesting-ground. Its food consists 

 solely of fish, which, as a rule, it captures alive. Winging its way slowly 

 over the water, it keeps a keen watch for fish which may appear near 

 the surface. When one is observed, it pauses, hovers a moment, and 

 then closing its wings descends with a speed and directness of aim that 

 generally insure success. It strikes the water with great force, making a 

 loud splash, and frequently disappears for a moment before rising with 

 its prey grasped in its powerful talons. As a rule, it carries its food to 

 some favorite perch, there to devour it. 



The alarm-note of the -Fish Hawk is a high, rapidly repeated, com- 

 plaining whistle, which is sometimes varied and prolonged to the sem- 

 blance of a song. 



1892. ALLEN, C. S., Auk, IX, 313-321 (on Plum Is.). 1908. CHAP- 

 MAN*, F. M., Camps and Cruises, 47-59 (Gardiner's Is.). 



38. FAMILY ALUCONID^E. BARN OWLS. (Fig. 47.) 



The Barn Owls, numbering some twenty-five species and subspecies, 

 are found nearly throughout the temperate and tropical regions. They 

 differ from other Owls in structure, but share with them the character- 

 istic habits of the Strigidce, the other of the two Owl families. 



365. Aluco pratincola (Bonap.). BARN OWL. (Fig. 47.) Ads. 

 Upperparts mixed with gray and ochraceous-buff, finely speckled with black 

 and white; tail varying from white to ochraceous-buff, generally mottled 

 with black, and sometimes with three or four narrow black bars ; underparts 

 and facial disk varying from pure white to deep ochraceous-buff, the former 

 generally with numerous small, black, round spots, the facial disk narrowly 

 margined by ochraceous-buff or rufous; eyes black. L., 18*00; W., 13*25; 

 T., 5*50; B., 1'30. 



Range. N. A. Breeds in Upper and Lower Austral zones from n. 

 Sacramento Valley, Calif., Colo., Nebr., Ills., Ind., Ohio, w. N. Y., s. to 

 the Gulf States and s. Mex., and casually to Ore., Minn., Mich., Ont., Vt., 

 and Mass. 



Washington, not rare P. 1. Ossining, A. V. 



Nest, in a tower or steeple, a hole in a tree or bank. Eggs, white, 5-9, 

 1-72 x 1'30. Date, D. C., Apl. 16; Delaware Co., Pa., Apl. 24. 



The Barn Owl conceals itself so well during the day that, in my 

 experience, it is a difficult bird to observe, even in localities where it is 



