166 LAND BIRDS 



records of purple grackle, jays, and tree swallows nesting 

 beneath the bulky platform, thus attesting their faith in 

 the friendly attitude of their carnivorous neighbor. 



365. AMERICAN BARN OWL. — Aluco pratincola 



Family : The Barn Owls. 



Length: 18.00. 



Adults : Upper parts mottled gray and tawny, finely streaked with black 



and white ; face white to light brown ; under parts white to tawny, 



with triangular spots of black or dark brown ; wings and tail tawny, 



barred with black. 

 Geographical Distribution : United States generally, south to Mexico. 

 California Breeding Range : Suitable localities in the latitude of the 



State of Sonora, in the northwest of Mexico. 

 Breeding Season : April 1 to June 30. 

 Nest: In holes in the ground, holes in river banks, hollow trees, old 



crow's nests, barns, belfry towers, etc. The nests are scantily made, 



with a few sticks, straw, bones, and other refuse. 

 Eggs : 5 to 8 ; plain, dead white. Size 1.72 X 1.35. 



When the sun sinks behind the oak trees and the 

 shadows creep over the valleys, the Barn Owl hurries to 

 the nearest meadow or marsh land on a hunting trip. If 

 it has young at home in the nest, its flight will be swift 

 and noiseless, as it crosses the intervening fields at short 

 intervals, carrying mice, gophers, and ground squirrels. 

 Nine mice form a meal for the brood, and sixteen mice 

 have been carried to the nest in twenty-five minutes, 

 besides three gophers, a squirrel, and a good-sized rat. 



Early in April the Barn Owl begins its nesting, laying 

 one white egg every other day until there are from five 

 to ten or eleven hidden in an old crow's nest, or in a 

 hollow tree, or eveu in a hole in a bauk. The cares of 

 incubation are shared by both birds, and last from three 



