BARN OWL, a widespread but rather un common owl (Strix flammea) which seems to be known in all parts of the world, and is everywhere recognizable among other owls by the heart-shaped form of the facial discs, which meet in a point below the beak. These give a very quaint expression, which has led to the soubriquet in the Southern States. It is about 17 inches in length, and its plumage is yellowish-red, irregularly marked with lighter and darker tints. The eyes are small and black and surrounded by cream-col ored discs, bordered with rust-red. The legs are long and bear short feathers only. It is more numerous in the southern part of the United States than in the northern portion, and is rarely seen even where many exist, since it is more completely nocturnal in its habits than are most owls. It makes its nest in hollow trees or a niche in some rocky cliff or earthen bank, and occasionally nests in belfries or old walls, as is a common habit in Europe. The
nest is composed of straw and feathers and the eggs are white. H. K. Fisher, author of 'The Hawks and Owls of the United States' (1893), regards this owl as probably the most bene ficial of its tribe to the agriculturist, because in America, at least, it subsists almost entirely upon thesmall rodents so injurious to crops. This is especially true in the South, where it subsists on the cotton rat and the many harm ful mice; while in the West, it catches gophers, ground-squirrels and rabbits, so that it is en titled to gratitude and protection. The same beneficent service is reported for it in other parts of the world. The American is regarded by many ornithologists as a separate species; Strix psatincola.