BARN-0 IVLS. 
1 43 
grey may exist only on the discs, while both the upper and under-parts are of 
various shades of tawny and yellowish brown. Mr. Dresser remarks that the 
American form is slightly larger and darker, and the Indian variety both darker 
and of a clearer grey above than the ordinary type. 
Habits Bn Britain the barn-owl is generally distributed, and resident 
throughout the year, although it becomes less numerous in Scotland, 
and as far north as Ross and Caithness but seldom nests. Strictly nocturnal in its 
barn-owls nat. -size). 
habits, this owl spends the day in the recesses of buildings, or in hollow trees, 
generally standing with closed eyes. Like other owls, it associates in pairs, and 
such pairs, if undisturbed, will return year after year to the same nesting-place. 
In hunting, the barn-owl quarters its ground with the regularity of a spaniel, and 
its food consists chiefly of voles. Its usual cry is a kind of scream, but the young 
utter a snorting sound. In Europe this owl is a late breeder, usually commencing 
to lay from the middle to the end of April, but sometimes not till May. The 
number of eggs in a nest generally ranges from three to six, although seven have 
