36 



true Falcons {Fa/conifia^^-Sihoui seventy species) include the 

 Kestrils, Merlins, Peregrines, Gyrfalcons, and their numerous allies, 

 the group being cosmopolitan. They are among the boldest and 

 most dashing of the Birds of Prey. (See Cases C, I, and Q.) 



The Owls (family Strigidce), or Nocturnal Birds of Prey, 

 differ so much from the other raptorial birds as to be sometimes 



Fis. 



An Oul Family. 



treated as a distinct order {Siriges). They number nearly two 

 hundred species, and as a group are cosmopolitan in distribution. 

 The extremes of the group, as regards external appearance and 

 habits, are seen in the Barn Owl — the most nocturnal and Owlish 

 of the Owls — and the Hawk Owl, the most diurnal and Hawk- 

 like. (Examples of each may be seen in Case C.) Owls vary in 



