42 BIRDS OF PREY. 



SUB-ORDER II. 



Nocturnal Birds of Prev. Accipitres Nocturxi. 



TJiis Sub-Order comprises but one Family. 

 THE OWLS. STRIGID^. 



General Characteristics.— Bill short, with the sides compressed, and the base 

 concealed by projecting bristles ; culmen much arched to the tip, which is hooked ; 

 wings usually moderate and rounded; tail broad and of various length; tarsi gene- 

 rally short anl feathered to the toes; toes usually short, and either clothed with 

 plumes or slightly covered with hairs ; claws long and very acute ; eyes large and 

 encompassed with a radiated circle of slender hairy feathers forming a facial disk. 



The plumage of the Owls is peculiarly soft and downy, render- 

 ing their flight perfectly noiseless, so that they steal unperceived 

 upon their prey. Their eyes, which are of large size, as though 

 to receive every ray of light that may be available for vision, 

 look directly forwards. In a strong light their sight is very im- 

 perfect, so that they stand in a state of complete bewilderment, 

 staring in a most ludicrous manner at any object presented to 

 them, and taking every opportunity of concealing themselves in 

 some obscure corner. The ears are more conspicuous than those 

 of any other birds, and are usually furnished with a sort of lid. 

 The head is large, and there is no ridge over the eyes, as in the 

 Falconidae. The feathers of the face project more or less for- 

 wards, and conceal the cere at the base of the bill. The outer 

 toe is reversible, and capable of being turned backwards like that 

 of a parrot. These birds are recluse in their habits, living in 

 pairs in the holes of trees, or in old buildings and- other retired 

 places, where they hide during the day-time; but in the evening 

 issue forth to seek their prey, which consists principally of small 

 quadrupeds and birds. The smaller owls frequently catch such 

 insects as come' abroad in the twilight, more particularly moths 

 and beetles. The indigestible portions of their food are disgorged 

 in the shape of pellets, composed of the bones, hair, and fur of 

 their victims. Their voices are generally loud and discordant. 



Some species of owls are not restricted to these predatory ex- 

 cursions in the twilight; many of them, as the Great White Owl 

 and several others, will hunt occasionally by day, but they do so 

 at a considerable disadvantage. 



Old ruins and church towers are often their favourite places of 



