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-d’-sa— L., tenebricosus, dark. 
distribution. Northern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, 
eastern Victoria, and the islands of Bass Straits; 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, Novem¬ 
ber, 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. 
