The barn owls the quiet hunting birds of the night br Seen often flying across country roads in motor car headlights br Brown uppers and unders a pale gray to white br Such beautiful birds and so graceful in flight. br br Cosmopolitan night birds they are seen Worldwide br And their value to farmers cannot be denied br Vermin rats and mice are their principle forms of prey br And they rest in tree cavities during the day. br br Their name barn owl comes from in sheds and barns where rats and mice abound br The 'Tyto Alba' are seen hovering around br Tyto Alba of course for them their Latin name br And barn owl and tyto alba are one and the same. br br They nest in a hollow log or hole in a tree br Lay oval white eggs from seven down to three br Their call from once heard one could never mistake br A very loud screech the only sound they make. br br The most often seen night birds and 'twould be fair to say br That they help the farmers in quite a big way br Since they keep vermin such as rodents at bay br And on rats and mice they are known for to prey.