BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 195 



ORDER, STRIGES (OWLS); 

 Family, STRIGID^ (Only Family). 



THE BARN-OWL 



(5trix flatnmea). 



Plate 60. 



The Owls form an Order of which the limits are clearly 

 marked and the characteristics very familiar. Indeed, no 

 very great differences occur within the group, and all 

 the members can be readily recognised by their general 

 similarity to the few species which are well known to most 

 British readers. A mere allusion to some characteristic 

 features will therefore suffice. These are chiefly adapta- 

 tions to the mode of life of the majority of the species. 

 All are predaceous, and nearly all are nocturnal, only a few 

 northern kinds being of more or less diurnal habits. The 

 beak and talons resemble those of the true Birds-of-Prey, 

 and the outer toe is reversible, as in the Osprey. Among 

 other points of resemblance between the two groups, the 

 female is usually slightly larger than her mate. Specially 

 adapted for nocturnal hunting are the large, sensitive eyes, 

 and the exceedingly well-developed ears, the latter charac- 

 teristic, of course, being noticeable only on close examination. 

 The softness which characterises the whole plumage ensures 

 a very silent flight. But perhaps the most obvious point 

 is the curious * facial disc,' formed by a sort of ' ruff",' which, 

 together with the very forward position of the eyes, gives 

 the Owls a physiognomy peculiarly their own. The effect 

 of this is greatly enhanced in a number of species by 



