NOCTURNAL BIRDS 
3i 
PLATE V 
NOCTURNAL BIRDS 
1. Barn Owl Tyto alba Scopoli 
Ty-to — Gk, tyto, night owl : al'-ba — L., albus, white. 
Distribution. — Australia and Tasmania (cosmopolitan). 
Notes. — Also called Delicate Owl, Screech Owl, and Lesser Masked 
Owl. Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting forest-lands generally. 
During the day it roosts in a hollow in a tree ; such a hollow is also used 
as a nesting-place. It also frequents as resting-places, wool-sheds, lofts, 
stables, and other out-buildings, and occasionally a leafy canopy in some 
thick bush. Its call is a loud screeching note, difficult to describe in words. 
Food: rats, mice, bats, small birds, and insects, chiefly beetles. 
Nest. — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Eggs. — Three to seven, dull white, oval in form. Breeding-season: 
August to December. 
2. Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa Gould 
ten-e-bric-o-sa — L., tenebricosus , dark. 
Distribution. — Northern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, 
eastern Victoria, and the islands of Bass Strait; also occurs in New Guinea. 
Notes. — Nothing has yet been recorded of the habits of this species. 
Nest. — In a hollow in a tree. 
Eggs . — Three, white and rounded. Breeding-season : October, 
November, December. 
3. Masked Owl Tyto novce-hollandice Stephens 
novce-hollandice, of New Holland. 
Distribution . — Australia generally. 
Notes. — Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting forest-lands generally. 
During the day it roosts in hollows in trees or among thick leafy foliage ; 
occasionally it takes up its abode near homesteads. At night its screeching 
usually attracts attention. Food: rodents (chiefly rabbits) and small 
mammals. 
Nest. — In a large hollow in a tree or in a cliff. 
Eggs. — Probably two, pearly-white. Breeding-season: December is 
the only month recorded. 
