Auk, XIV, Oct. , 1897, pp-374'3*3. 
NOTES ON THE AMERICAN BARN OWL IN 
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA . 1 
BY J. HARRIS REED. 
The breeding range of the Barn Owl ( Strix pratincola ) , with 
few exceptions, does not extend north of Pennsylvania or New 
Jersey. It is locally distributed throughout its range, being 
restricted to such localities as afford an ample food supply for 
its wants. The extensive meadow lands along the Delaware 
River, south of Philadelphia, are its most favorite retreat, in this 
vicinity. Most of the trees which were scattered over these 
meadows and stood as old land-marks for roosting and nesting 
places of this bird for many years have been destroyed by storm 
or axe, and the Owls have been compelled to a great extent to 
seek quarters over the adjoining country; a few, however, still 
remain. 
‘Read before the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, Philadelphia, April 
15,1897. 
the place a visit, but, arriving a little late in the evening, I saw 
only four Owls, Mr. Voelker on the following evening seeing five 
birds, one of which he shot. The Owls leave the roost very 
early in the evening, often a long time before sunset, departing 
singly, several minutes elapsing after the exit of one before the 
appearance of another, each circling around the tree several times 
before leaving, emitting a note similar to the clucking of a 
squirrel, probably a call note to their companions. This habit 
of leaving the roost before sunset, is more noticeable during the 
breeding season when the days are long and the nestlings require 
food, and this no doubt accounts for their being seen occasionally 
during cloudy days searching for food. 
I think the female remains on the eggs and is often fed by the 
male during the season of incubation, as a certain amount of 
food is generally found in the nest at this time. I have never 
found the male covering the eggs, although if the cavity is suffi- 
