STRIGID^ — THE OWLS — BRACHYOTUS. 



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Their food consists of small animals entirely, and I think it very doulitful 

 if they ever attack j)0ultry. By many persons they are, however, mistaken 

 for young horned owls, and ruthlessly slain. I need scarcely remark that 

 a bird which has become able to fly never grows afterwards to any very 

 ajipreciable degree. 



Genus BRACHYOTUS, Gould. 



Bmchjolus, GoDLD, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1837, 10. 



Gen. Char. Ear-tufts very short and inconspicuous. General form ratlier strong ; 

 wings long ; tail moderate ; legs rather long, and with the toes fuUy covered by short 



B. Cassinii. 



feathers ; claws long, very sharp and rather slender. Head moderate ; eyes rather small ; 

 facial disk impci-fect ou the forehead and above eyes ; tail moderate. (Cassin.) 



B. Cassini. 



Of several species referred to this genus, and representing the different 

 quartei-s of the globe, naturalists are now incHned to make but one, varying 

 somewhat with the region, but scarcely differing in essential character. 



