402 ULULA. 



inner web close upon the tip. Tail rather short, slight- 

 ly decurved, of twelve broad, rounded feathers. 



The birds of this genus in external appearance re- 

 semble those of Aluco, but have the head much smaller, 

 its fore part much narrowed by the disks which almost 

 meet upon it. In the latter respect they more resem- 

 ble Strix than any other genu8. Their wings are long- 

 er than those of Aluco, and their outer primaries dif- 

 ferently proportioned. Our own species are among 

 the most characteristic, and to them may be added 

 Strix ascalaphus, Str. africana, and Str. leucotis of au- 

 thors, together with several other species. Were the 

 ideas of writers correct with respect to the charac- 

 ters indicative of the habits of owls, the birds of this 

 genus ought to be strictly nocturnal. The contrary, 

 however, is the case with at least one species, Ulula 

 brachyotus. It is this genus which seems to be most 

 nearly allied to Circus, the females of which bear a 

 considerable resemblance in their colouring to the owl 

 just named. 



