I lo 
Allen’s naturalist’s ltisrary. 
north, either in the Old or New Worlds; about 40” N. lat. and 
40° S. lat. being the limit of the Barn-Owl on the American 
continents. In many places it is a local bird, and seems to 
extend its range with civilisation, following in the footsteps 
of man, in the vicinity of whose homesteads are abundance 
of mice. 
In Europe the Barn-Owl nests no farther north than the 
south of Sweden and the Baltic Provinces. It extends to 
Central Russia and is then apparently absent throughout the 
whole of Siberia and Northern Asia, as well as China. It is 
likewise unknown in Greece and the countries of South- 
eastern Europe, but is found in Northern Africa and Pales- 
tine, and throughout the whole of Africa. It likewise extends 
in slightly modified forms over the entire Indian and Austra- 
lian Regions, being also found in the islands of Oceania. 
Habits. — The Barn-Owl is a nocturnal species, and never 
ventures out in the daylight of it own accord. In the twilight, 
however, it issues forth, and in Avington Park in Hamp.shire, 
where the late Sir Edward Shelley protected them, I have 
seen two and three of these pretty birds flying about in the 
early evening, over the bracken, and playing with each other in 
the air. Their movements were full of grace and activity, as 
they sailed over the ferns and gambolled with each other in 
the most playful manner. The number of mice which a Barn- 
Owl catches in a single night is truly astonishing. Water- 
ton says that the birds will bring a mouse to their nest every 
twelve or fifteen minutes, and a nest in Avington Park was 
found by us to have over forty freshly-killed field-mice, which 
must have been caught during the preceding night. Where 
encouraged the present species will take advantage of any tub 
or shelter put up for its accommodation, and will nest freely. 
The food of the Barn-Owl consists principally of mice, but 
it will also catch rats and bats, as well as voles and shrews, 
and small birds, while it has also been known to take fish. 
It is a great friend to the farmer and gardener, and does no 
harm to game, so that it ought to receive protection from every 
landed proprietor and game-preserver; instead of which it 
is to be feared that ignorant prejudice against the Owls still 
contrives the slaughter of a number of these useful birds. 
