File:The journal of the Ministry of Agriculture. (1922) (14590314300).jpg

Identifier: journalofministr2810grea (find matches)
Title: The journal of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Year: 1919 (1910s)
Authors: Great Britain. Ministry of Agriculture
Subjects: Agriculture Agriculture
Publisher: London : Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: BHL-SIL-FEDLINK

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st few years, when the character of many wdld birds hasbeen called into question, that of the Barn-Owl (Strix flammea,Linn.) has been greatly maligned. Stories which have beentold of its depredations on young game birds and rabbits, evenin broad daylight, have been too quickly believed and passed on. In 1919 the writer prepared a note* giving a volumetric ana-lysis obtained from an examination of twelve stomachs securedbetween March and October. Since that date he has had theopportunity of examining further specimens, and the figures *Journ. W.B.I. Soc , 1921, Vol. i, p. 9. THE BARN-OWL. Walter E. Collinge, D.Sc, F.L.S. Keener of the Yorkshire Museum, York. 926 The Baex-Owl. (Jan., remain practically the same. Moreover, from the Eastern andMidland counties of England a large series of pellets has beenreceived and examined, and in view of the results obtained, itseems very desirable to re-state the case for this useful andinteresting species, particularly at a time when farm vermin has
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Fig. 1.—The Barn Owl (Strix flammea). i greatly increased and is imposing a severe tax upon the agricul-turist. Too often the farmer and landowner do not bear in mindthe enormous number of rats, mice and voles that are destroyedby this and other species of wild birds. If any professional rat-catcher were to guarantee the destruction of a tithe of these, hewould be welcome to take payment in a brace or two of gamebirds; — 1922.) The Barn-Owl. 927 The Barn-Owl is common and resident throughout GreatBritain and Ireland, though it is less numerous in tlie north ofScotland. It is strictly nocturnal, remaining asleep during thedaytime in old ruins, bams, church towers and other buildings,and occasionally in the hollows of trees. At dusk it flies abroad,seeking its sheltered retreat as day breaks. If unmolested itfrequents inhabited places, indeed seems to prefer the vicinityof houses, etc., to the open country.

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