VI STRIGES 2077 
further south; while it extends through most of Asia and reaches 
Japan. The fine erectile crest, the head, neck, and lower parts 
are cinnamon-coloured; the remaining plumage is black, varied 
with buff and white; a band of the latter crosses the tail; and 
the head plumes are tipped with black and white. UJ. marginata 
of Madagascar has a larger outer primary and a narrower tail- 
band; U. indica, with darker cinnamon tints, extends from India 
to Hainan, and intergrades with U. epops ; U. somalensis of Somali- 
Land is intermediate between the last and U. africana of South 
Africa, which exhibits no white on the primaries or crest. 
Females and young are duller and less crested. 
A fossil form, Zimnatornis, occurs in the Lower French Miocene. 
Sub-fam. 2. Lrrisorinae.—The Wood-Hoopoes, differing from 
their allies in the longer and more decurved bill, especially 
noticeable in Lhinopomastus, the long wedge-shaped tail, and the 
absence of a crest, are commonly seen in flocks of from six to 
eight; they are shy, restless and noisy, flitting from bush to 
bush with undulating motion and expanded rectrices, while they 
also creep about probing the crannies of the highest trees—to the 
great detriment of the tail—or search the ground for grubs and 
insects generally. The note is harsh and chattering; the nest, 
said to be foul like that of their allies, is placed in holes in trees, 
the eggs being apparently white. The plumage is metallic purple, 
blue or greenish, with white wing-patch and tail-markings, the 
females and young being less bright, with shorter beaks. 
Lrrisor occupies the Ethiopian Region, /. viridis and J. erythro- 
rhynchus having the head and throat bluish-green, L. bol/ii those 
parts buff, Z. jacksont nearly white. Three species of Scoptelus 
inhabit North-East and West Africa, three of Rhinopomastus 
extend from the former country and the Congo to South Africa. 
The Sub-Order STRIGES, containing the natural and well-marked 
group of the Owls, was until lately usually treated as a mere 
Family situated next to the diurnal Birds of Prey (dAeccipitres 
of this work), whatever name or rank may have been given to 
the combined assemblage. Gradually, however, a conviction has 
arisen that these nocturnal—or chiefly nocturnal—Birds of Prey 
deserve a higher position than that of a Family, while Dr. Gadow, 
in the classification here mainly adopted, agrees with those who 
would separate them widely from their former associates, and places 
