292 BARN-OWL. 
it is fairly numerous, though somewhat local in its distribution ; 
and throughout Western Europe it is a well-known species. It is 
found in the Azores, Madeira, the Canaries, and the Cape Verde 
Islands, Northern Africa as far east as Egypt, and in Palestine ; in 
the north-eastern portion of the Mediterranean basin, however, it is 
seldom met with, though occurring in Mesopotamia and down to 
the head of the Persian Gulf. Over the above-mentioned area light 
as well as dark phases are found. Making allowance for climatic 
varieties which Dr. R. B. Sharpe and other authorities do not con- 
sider entitled to specific distinction, this Owl may be described as 
ranging over the African region inclusive of Madagascar, the Indian, 
Malayasian, Australian: and Polynesian regions; as well as in 
America and its islands, from about 40° N. to 40° S. lat. 
The Barn-Owl takes up its abode in church-towers and belfries, 
farm- and other buildings, hollow trees, dovecotes, and clefts in walls 
or cliffs. It makes no nest, though castings may be found round 
the eggs. These are sometimes laid in pairs; six, nearly fresh, 
having been found alongside of three nestlings, while two or three 
stages of the latter may occur simultaneously. Incubation occa- 
sionally begins towards the end of March, though usually in April 
or May, while it has been known to take place up to November and 
December. The eggs are dull white: measurements 1°6 by 1:2 in. 
There is no evidence that this species does any harm to eggs or 
pigeons in the dovecotes which it often inhabits, while it feeds 
chiefly on voles and field-mice, thereby entitling itself to protection 
on the part of the agriculturist; it also eats rats, bats, small birds, 
insects, and occasionally small surface-swimming fish. During the 
daytime the Barn-Owl generally remains concealed, though when 
disturbed I have seen it flitting in no uncertain manner in the 
brilliant sunshine of the south ; but it seeks its food in the dusk of 
evening and at nights. Its cry is a loud weird shriek, and a snoring 
sound is emitted by young and old. 
The typical adult has the upper parts orange-buff, minutely varie- 
gated with brown, grey and white ; facial disk white with a brownish 
rim; under parts white. The dark form has the upper parts greyer, 
with darker spots and vermiculations; the facial disk tinged with 
orange, and its rim blackish; under parts warm orange-buff with 
clearly-defined blackish-grey spots. Bill white ; operculum (or skin 
which covers the orifice of the ear) large ; legs covered with white 
hair-like feathers. Length 13°5 in; wing11‘25. The female is slightly 
larger than the male. The young bird, at first covered with white down, 
hardly differs from the adult after its feathers have been assumed. 
