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There are but two sub-fatoilies, 

 usually recognized among the owls, 

 one of which Striginae, is composed of 

 a single genus, Strix, the Barn Owls. 

 This family is not represented in the 

 Yangtse Valley. 



All remaining Owls are included in 

 a second sub-family. 



Sub-Family, Buboninae, The Horned Owls and 

 Their Allies. 



In this family of Owls, the inner toe 

 is decidedly shorter than the middle 

 one, the claw of which is without 

 serrations on the inner edge. The 

 first wing quill is shorter than the 

 third, and from one to six quills have 

 their inner web sinuated. 



This family is worldwide in its range, 

 and contains about 190 species, of 

 which China has 20, and 10 reach the 

 Yangtse Valley. 



GEBAT EAGLE OWL. 



BUBO BUBO (linn.) 

 (Bubo ignavus Forster.) 



Description. — Length twenty four to 

 twenty six inches. Bill black, legs and 

 toes feathered. Iris golden orange. 



Prominent ear tufts. Upperparts 

 of plumage dark brown and yellowish 

 mottled. The under parts light brown, 

 yellowish and grey, each feather 

 separately barred. Throat white. 



Distribution. — Europe and Northern 

 Asia, including all China. Eesident 

 around the hills in the Yangtse valley. 



Nest and Eggs. — " The nest is very 

 large, and is placed on rocks or old 

 ruins, also sometimes on trees, low 

 down in them. It is composed of 

 branches and sticks, and is lined with 

 leaves and straw. Occasionally a 



