OWLS. 



45 



Sub-Family 

 THE HORNED OWLS. 



BUBONIN.I^. 



General Ciiaracti:ristics.— Head large, broad, flat on the top, and furnished w ith 

 two prominent tufts ; facial disk imperfect above the eyes. 



The Owls belonging to this sub-family inhabit most parts of 

 the Avorld, regardless of climate. They frequent old buildings, 

 holes in the sides of trees, precipitous hills, and ravines of the 

 mountains, or they may be seen in the deep shades of the swamps 



Fig. 23. — liiE Eagle-Oul {Bubo 



of large forests. Their food is sought for principally during the 

 night, and consists of small quadrupeds, birds, lizards, and the 

 larger insects. Some of the species have been observed to catch 

 fish, which they strike at and seize with their foot. During the 

 night they emit a loud prolonged hoot, and when alarmed hiss at 



