OliUElt ACCIfrTRES THE BIEDa Ol' 1 PREY. 



ORDER ACCIPITRES. THE BIRDS OF PREY. 

 SUBORDER STRIGES. NOCTURNAL EAPTORES (OwLs). 



CHAE. Eyes directed forward, and surrounded by a radiating system of feathers, 

 which is bounded, except anteriorly, by a ruff of stiff, compact- webbed, differently 

 formed, and somewhat recurved feathers ;loral feathers antrorse, long and dense. Plum- 

 age very soft, lax, of a fine downy texture, the feathers destitute of an after-shaft. Oil- 

 gland without the usual circlet of feathers. Outer web of first primary with the points of 

 the barbs recurved. Feathers on the sides of the forehead frequently elongated into 

 ear-like tufts. Tarsus usually, and toes frequently, feathered. Ear-opening usually 

 very large, sometimes provided with a lappet. (Esophagus destitute of a dilated crop; 

 eoeca large. Maxillo-palatines thick and spongy, and encroaching upon the intervening 

 valley; basipterygoid processes always present. Outer toe reversible; posterior toe 

 only about half as long as the outer. Posterior margin of the sternum doubly indented; 

 clavicle weak and nearly cylindrical, about equal in length to the sternum; anterior pro- 

 cess of the coracoid projected forward so as to meet the clavicle, beneath the basal pro- 

 cess of the scapula. 



Eggs variable in shape, usually nearly spherical, always immaculate white. 



The above diagnosis is sufficient to distinguish this order from 

 the most nearly related group, the Accipitres, or Diurnal Raptores. 

 There are also many important anatomical peculiarities, which it 

 is unnecessary to mention here. The Order comprises two well- 

 marked families, which may be distinguished as follows: 



Strigidae. Inner toe equal to the middle in length; inner edge of middle claw pectinated. 

 First quill longer than the third, all the quills with their inner web entire, or with- 

 out emarginations. Tail emarginated. Feathers of the posterior face of the tar- 

 sus recurved, or pointed upwards. 



Bubonidae. Inner toe decidedly shorter than the middle one ; inner edge of middle claw 

 not pectinated. First quill shorter than the third; one or more of the outer quills 

 with inner webs emarginated. Tail more or less rounded. Feathers of posterior 

 face of tarsus (when present) pointed downwards. 



