OWLS. 



341 



Genus II. ALUCO. WOOD-OWL. 



Conch of the ear more than half the height of the 

 skull, extending from the base of the lower jaw to the 

 level of the upper part of the eye, fringed with feathers 

 all round, and having anteriorly an elevated semicircu- 

 lar stiff operculum extending along its whole length. 

 The aperture of the meatus oblique, elliptical, at the 

 lower part of an oblong cavity, which is half the length 

 of the concha. The bottom of the concha is formed of 

 the bones of the skull and the outer edge of the eye-ball, 

 covered with skin. Facial disks very large, complete. 

 Ruff conspicuous and complete. Bill short, strong, its 

 upper outline curved from the base; nostrils roundish. 

 Wings much rounded, the fourth quill longest, the first 

 about the length of the tenth. P. 364. 



EAR OF ALUCO STRIDULUS. 



1. A. stridulus. Common Wood-Owl or Tawny Owl. — Of 

 the younger birds of both sexes the upper parts brownish- 



