Order STRIGES. 



Family STRIGID-^. 



THE BARN-OWL. 



Sirix flammea, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 26. 



The Barn, White, or Screech-Owl, as it is variously called, is a fairly common 

 bird throughout the British Islands, although scarce in northern Scotland. It 

 has a very wide geographical range in both the old and new worlds, and shows 

 some variation in colour, the race inhabiting southern Sweden, Denmark, and 

 Central Europe having a darker breast than our bird. 



This species dislikes sunlight and therefore selects for its nesting-place some 

 dark retreat in the walls or under the roof of old buildings, church towers, or in 

 hollow trees, while dovecots are often chosen. For several years in succession 

 a pair occupied a dovecot in my garden, and I noticed what they most appreciated 

 was to have within their dwelling as little light as possible. By placing an 

 inverted wooden box in the darkest corner, to which access was obtained by a 

 hole in the side, the owls were induced to breed regularly, always, however, leaving 

 their home after the young were able to fly in August, and returning early in 

 spring. The eggs, which are pure white, usually number six or more and are 

 placed among old castings, without any nest. As soon as the first one or two are 

 laid, the bird begins to sit, and thus the young are hatched at various times, the 

 eldest of the family helping to incubate the later eggs. 



The owlets, at first clad in white down, are fed through the evening and night, 

 but I have found dead mice beside them in the daytime. During the day, as well 

 as by night, they utter a curious sound, like that made by the valve of a cistern. 



The food consists almost entirely of mice, rats, voles, bats, and shrews, the 

 Sparrow being the only bird whose remains I have found at the nest referred to. 

 They seem able to bear great heat without any inconvenience, as when a July sun 

 was beating on the roof of their dwelling the heat inside was suffocating. 



About the time of twilight when the mice come out to feed and play, the owls 

 begin their hunt, beating along the hedges and among orchard trees with noiseless 

 flight not far from the ground, and dropping suddenly on their unsuspecting prey ; 

 at times they utter a weird harsh cry, which can be heard a long way off. 



The female resembles the male, and as is the case with most birds of prey, is 

 the larger bird. 



Several occurrences of the Dark-breasted race, which inhabits Central Europe, 

 south Sweden, and Denmark, have been noted. 



34 



