BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA 
146 
The Barn Owl has of late years become rather rare in various sections 
of Pennsylvania, where formerly, it is said, to have been quite plentiful. 
I have never found this species breeding- in eastern Pennsylvania. Prof. 
Gentry, however, who has been more fortunate, says : '‘In the selection 
of a place for nesting- purposes, these owls vary in different localities. 
In eastern Pennsylvania generally a hollow tree, chiefly an apple or an 
oak is chosen, but, occasionally, a dilapidated and unoccupied barn ; but 
more rarely, an occupied building in close proximity to man. When the 
former situations are chosen, the hollo w' is lined with a few dried grasses 
and feathers, although instances are not unfrequently met with where 
the eggs are deposited upon the bare bottom. In the latter places a 
few rude sticks constitute a framework which is lined with a few fine 
grasses and feathers. It is deposited upon a short timber in a some- 
what inaccessible part of the building. Nesting ordinarily takes place 
early in March, although we have observed newly-built nests in the lat- 
ter part of February. Oviposition commences about thfe second week 
of March. The number of eggs laid varies from three to four, very 
rarely more. * * * qipg eggs are somewhat subspherical, scarcely 
more pointed at one extremity than the other, unless in exceptional 
cases ; of a bluish-white color, and measure 1.67 inches in length, and 
1.37 in width. They vary, however, in size in different localities.” 
The following list gives reports received from all observers who have 
noted the Barn Owl and reported to me the result of their observations. 
From this it will be noticed that this owl is found chiefly when breeding 
in the southern parts of the state. 
County. 
Observers. 
Remarks. 
Allegheny. . . 
B. C. Wrenshall, . . 
Rare breeder. 
Do. . . 
Dr. T. L. Hazzard, . 
Resident ; breeds. 
Beaver 
Dr. G. A. Scroggs, . 
Resident ; breeds. 
Berks 
D. F. Keller 
Occasional ; possibly breeds. 
Columbia, . . . 
Dr. A. B. MacCrea, 
Straggler. 
Clearfield. . . 
L. D. Balliet, .... 
Occasional visitor. 
Cumberland. 
T. L. Neff 
Resident ; breeds. 
Crawford, . . . 
H. C. Kirkpatrick, . 
Straggler. 
Chester, .... 
A. P. Lee 
Breeds occasionally in vicinity of Oxford. 
Do 
B. H. Warren, . . . 
Probably breeds ; birds taken in spring, summer, fall and winter. 
Dauphin, . . . 
W. W. Stoey, .... 
Resident ; breeds. 
Delaware. . . . 
Robert Townsley, . 
Breeds. 
Fayette, .... 
G. W. Linton, . . . 
Breeds. 
Lehigh 
J. F. Kocher 
Occasional visitor. 
Lebanon, . . . 
Geo. R. Ross, . . . 
Rare visitor. 
Do. ... 
J. G. Bohn 
Rare visitor ; probably breeds. 
Lancaster. . . 
H. J. Roddy 
Breeds. 
Do. . . 
Dr. A. C. Treichler, 
Resident ; breeds. 
Do. . . 
James Galen, .... 
Resident ; breeds. 
Lackawanna, . 
Geo. P. Friant, . . . 
Very rare ; have received two in ten years. 
Mercer, .... 
S. S. Overmoyer, . . 
Rare visitor. 
Montgomery. . 
Thos. S. Gillin, . . . 
Occasional visitor ; nearly extinct. 
Northampton, 
Dr, J. W. Detwiiler, 
Took one on meadows near Philadelphia ; heard of a pair breed- 
ing in a church steeple at Lancaster city. 
Philadelphia, . 
Witmer Stone, . . . 
Occasional visitor. 
Somerset, . . . 
B, H, Warren. . . . 
Saw one January, 1890, near Somei'set. 
Susquehanna, . 
S. S Thomas, . . . 
Rare migrant. 
Do. 
Geo. B. Perry. . . . 
Straggler, 
Do. 
Dr. H. A. Tingley, . 
Rare visitor. 
Venango. . . . 
J. R. Robertson. . . 
Rare migrant. 
Washington, 
Jas. S. Nease, . . . 
Straggler ; December, 1883. 
Occasional visitor ; December, 1882. 
Do. 
M. Compton 
Do. 
W. T. Warrick, . . 
Occasional visitor ; December, 1882. 
York, 
Hon. G. C. Brown. . 
Breeds. 
Do 
Geo. Miller 
Straggler. 
Do 
Casper Loucks, . . . 
Straggler. 
10 Bibds. 
