OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. I7I 



such cases the nests are placed indifferently on rocks or trees, 

 and sometimes the eggs have been deposited on the sand. 

 Near such breeding places the Bald Eagle has every oppor- 

 tunity of tyrannizing over the Fish Hawks, and compelling them 

 to drop the fish they have just caught. On the inland waters 

 of Ontario the Bald Eagle is of less frequent occurrence, and 

 the Osprey is allowed to enjoy the results of his industry in 

 peace. 



The Fish Hawk arrives in Ontario as soon as the ice breaks 

 up in the spring, and in the fall remains fishing along the 

 shores till November. 



Suborder STRIGES. Owls. 



Family STRIGID^. Barn Owls. 



Genus STRIX Linnaeus. 



14Y. STRIX PRATINCOLA Bonap. 365. 



American Barn Owl. 



Tawny or fulvous brown, delicately clouded or marbled with ashy or 

 white, and speckled with brownish-black ; below, a varying shade from 

 nearly a pure white to fulvous, with sparse sharp blackish speckling ; face 

 white to purplish-brown, darker or black about the eyes, the disk bordered 

 with dark-brown ; wings and tail barred with brown, and finely mottled like 

 the back ; bill whitish ; toes yellowish. Length, female, 17 ; wing, 13 ; tail, 

 5J ; male rather less. 



Hab. Warmer parts of North America, from the Middle States, Ohio 

 Valley and California southward through Mexico. 



Breeds in hollow trees, frequently in the tower of a church or other 

 high buildings, 



Eggs, 3 to 6 ; soiled white. 



Although this species, so much like the Barn Owl of Britain, 

 has long been known as an American bird, coming as far north 

 as Massachusetts, it is only within the past few years that it 

 has been observed in Canada. In May, 1882, a specimen was 

 killed by young Mr. Reid, gardener, York street, Hamilton, 

 and in the fall of the same yezr another was found in an empty 

 outhouse near the canal leading to Dundas. On calling the 



