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were encouraged to breed in the vicinity of the farm. Some intelligent 
English farmers, aware of these facts, now protect the owls, and in return, 
are awarded by a reduction in the number of vermin that prey on the pro- 
duce of the farm. 
Owls are scattered over the whole world, and there are about one hun- 
dred and forty described species. America contains about forty of them, 
but the number belonging to the United States is much less. All the spe- 
cies are distinguished by a peculiar cat-like appearance, and their habits 
correspond in a remarkable degree. All, with the exception of a single 
genus indigenous to Asia, have the legs and toes feathered, some very 
densely. The head is apparently very large, the eyes large and look for- 
ward, and the face is surrounded by a more or less perfect disc of short, 
stiff feathers. The ears are very large internally, and some of the species 
have ear-tufts that increase their feline appearance. The form is short 
and heavy; wings rather long, and formed for noiseless flight; the outer 
edges of the main quills are fringed; tail usually short; bill apparently 
small, being concealed by projecting bristle-like feathers. The female is 
larger than the male, and the species vary much in size. All select liv- 
ing prey, and never feed on carrion. The smaller species feed on insects. 
The barn owl, Strix pratincola, belonging to the sub-family Striginze or 
typical owls will probably be found resident in Ohio, but as yet we do not 
know of a specimen being seen within its limits. It is found as far north 
as Vermont and Wisconsin, and is plentiful in the Southern States, occur- 
ring in Kentucky, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Its color is a pale fawn, or 
tawny brownish-yellow, some are nearly white, and are about 16 inches in 
length. This species should be encouraged, as it is beneficial to the farmer, 
by killing rats and mice, upon which it principally feeds. 
SUB-FAMILY BUBONINZ—THE HORNED OWLS. 
Have the head large, with prominent and erectile ear-tufts. The eyes 
large, and the facial disc incomplete; legs, feet and claws very strong. 
GENUS Buso—Cuvier. 
Size large; general form very robust and strong; head large, with promi- 
nent ear-tufts; eyes very large; wings long, and wide; tail moderate; tarsi 
short, and with the toes densely feathered; claws very strong, curved; bill 
rather short, curved from the base, strong, covered at base by projecting 
plumes. 
