BARN-0 WLS. 



143 



grey may exist only on the discs, while both the upper and under -parts are of 

 various shades of tawny and yellowish brown. Mr. Dresser remarks that the 

 American form is slightly larger and darker, and the Indian variety both darker 

 and of a clearer grey above than the ordinary type. 



In Britain the barn-owl is generally distributed, and resident 

 throughout the year, although it becomes less numerous in Scotland, 

 and as far north as Ross and Caithness but seldom nests. Strictlv nocturnal in its 



Habits. 



BAKN-0\Vr.S (^5 iiat 



habits, this owl spends the day in the recesses of buildings, or in hollow trees, 

 generally standing with closed eyes. Like other owls, it associates in pairs, and 

 such pairs, if undisturbed, will return year after year to the same nesting-place. 

 In hunting, the barn-owl quarters its ground with the regularity of a spaniel, and 

 its food consists chiefly of voles. Its usual cry is a kind of scream, but the young 

 utter a snorting sound. In Europe this owl is a late breeder, usually commencing 

 to lay from the middle to the end of April, but sometimes not till May. The 

 number of eggs in a nest generally ranges from three to six. althougli seven have 



