86 
AN AUSTEALIAJV BIRD BOOK. 
F. 71. STRIGIDAE (5), BARN OWLS, 26 sp.— 13 (11) A., 
3(1)0., 1(0)P., 4(3)E., KDNc, 7(7)N1. 
5 179 Australian Barn Owl (Lesser Masked, Delicate, 
26 Screech), Strix delicatula, N.G., A. Stat. c. timher 14 
Upper beautiful soft light grayish-brown tinged yellow, 
tinely spotted blackish-brown and white; under white,, 
few small brownish spots; disc white edged buff; f., 
Sim. Mice, rats. 
grew vertically, instead of horizontally, and so gave no shade — 
was it not natural that the Cuckoo, a day bird in England, should 
become a night bird in this land of paradoxes and contradictions? 
Thus Australia's reputation was added to even by the Boobook 
Owl. 
Confusion was caused, for, when daylight came, and the Frog- 
mouth was seen sitting in the tree, the Frogmouth was supposed 
to be responsible for the frequent calls of the previous night. 
However, some reliable observers, notably Mr. C. H. McLennan, 
"Mallee Bird," and Mr. T. H. Tregellas, claim that the Frog- 
mouth does call **Mopoke" occasionally, but the Boobook Owl is 
the bird that is responsible for the frequent "Mopoke" on calm 
evenings. 
The Owls are divided into two families. The members of the 
first family — the Owls Proper, or Hawk-Owls — have the facial 
disc almost absent, while in the second family the facial disc is 
complete. In each, the eyes are directly obliquely forward, and, 
