DESCRIPTIVE LIST 



177 



A curious habit of the Osprey is that of " foot-washing." From flapping in wide 

 circles over the lake a bird may be seen suddenly to half close its wings and glide 

 toward the water in a long, gentle sweep. When almost touching the surface, the 

 feet are dropped to the full extent of the long legs and a horizontal flight of fifteen 

 or twenty yards follows, while the feet drag in the water. The reason for this 

 action is doubtless to cleanse the toes and claws of the fish-slime that must neces- 

 sarily accumulate on them. 



33. FAMILY ALUCONID./E. BARN OWLS 



Genus Aluco (Flem.) 

 160. Aluco pratincola (Bonap.}. BARN OWL. 



Description. Various shades of tawny, very finely mottled, dotted and streaked with darker; 

 underparts white or light tawny with some spotting. L., 18.00; W., 13.25; T., 5.75. Known 

 from our other owls by the long face and nearly naked legs. 



Range. United States and Mexico. 



Range in North Carolina. Known to occur from Davidson County to the coast. 



Fia. 137. BARN OWL. 



The Barn Owl, also known as " Monkey-faced Owl," does not seem to be a com- 

 mon bird in any part of the State, and so far we have records of its occurrence 

 only from Davidson, Alamance, Wake, Craven, Carteret, Cumberland, Brunswick, 

 Pamlico, Guilford, Randolph, Bladen, and Dare counties. Nearly all the specimens 

 were taken in winter, the only exceptions being one caught at Thomasville in June, 

 1910; one killed at New Bern, March 12, 1912; and one caught alive in a steel 

 trap in Bladen County, March 14, 1902. All three were sent to the State Museum. 

 In spite of this lack of information, there is little doubt that it is a permanent 



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