BIRDS OF PREY. 



ORDER RAPTORES: BIRDS OF PREY. 



FAMILY STRIGID^E: BARN OWLS. 

 American Barn Owl: Striae pratincola. 



PLATE IX. FIG. 4. 



Length: 15-17 inches. Female the largest, as is usual with Owls. 



Male and Female : Above tawny yellow, ash, and white, with black 

 and white spots ; below whitish specked with dark. Dark bars 

 on tail and wing. Legs long and feathered. Face disks heart- 

 shaped, eyes small and bluish black, bill light ; no horns. 



Note : A quavering cry, " Kr-r-r-r-r-r-ik ! " 



Reason : Rare resident ; has been taken at Stratford, Hartford, Madi- 

 son, and Sachem's Head, Conn. 



Breeds : Through its range, in late February and March. 



Nest : In wild regions in tree trunks, but when near villages in barns, 

 towers, and belfries. 



Eggs : 3-6, dirty white. 



Range: Warmer parts of North America, from the Middle States, 

 Ohio Valley, and California southward through Mexico. 



The Barn Owl, having a rather southerly range, is one of 

 the rarest Owls to be found in New England, its records 

 are limited to Connecticut and Massachusetts and there 

 is a recent one for Vermont. In New York State and Penn- 

 sylvania it is more common, and breeds in the southern 

 portion of these states. Its appearance is so unique that it 

 is sure to attract attention, and it is not amiss to mention 

 it in connection with our common resident Owls. The face 

 looks like that of a toothless, hooked-nosed old woman, 

 shrouded in a closely fitting hood, and has a half-simple, 



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