BIRDS OF PREY 



(365) Aliico pratincola 



(Bonap.) (Ttal.. some kind of an owl; 

 Lat., meadow inhabiting). 



BARN OWL; MONKEY-FACED 

 OWL. Facial disc iiighly developed, 

 triangular rather than circular, and 

 capable of being varied in form 

 according to the bird's emotions. 

 Plumage as shown; very soft and 

 with u \'ery intricate pattern — very 

 finely vermiculated, especially on 

 the upper parts. L., 16.00; Ex., 

 44.00; W., 13.50; T., 6.50; Tar., 

 2.75. Nest — In hollow trees, in 

 caves, barns, towers or other build- 

 ings; five to seven pure white eggs, 

 1.70 X 1.30. 



Range — Breeds from N. Y., Ohio, 

 111., Neb., Col. and Cal. south to the 

 Gulf and southern Mexico. Casually 

 north to Mass., Ont., and Minn. 



The Osprey feeds wholly upon living fish that it catches 

 by its own efforts. It is a grand sight to watch one of these 

 great creatures sailing majestically along a hundred feet or 

 more above water. Upon sighting a fish near the surface, 

 he hovers for a few seconds on rapidly flapping wings and 

 then, if the fish is in a satisfactory position, he folds his long 

 wings and plunges downward like a huge, living arrow; just 

 as the water is reached, his long legs are thrust forward in 

 front of his face and the opened talons are in readiness to 

 grasp the quarry; v.ithin two or three seconds he will appear 

 above water, gi\e one or two quick, vigorous shakes of the 

 wings, sending water flying in all directions, and slowly fly 

 away to his favorite perch if successful. The average size 

 of fish caught by Ospreys seems to be about one pound. 



Their nests are normally placed in trees, the same structure 

 being added to and used year after year, becoming enormous 

 in size in a few years. Absence of trees in some places near 

 favorable fishing areas causes them to build their homes on 

 the ground. 



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