PSEUDOPTYNX. 249 
Order STRIGIFORMES. 
OWLS, 
Head large and round; bill strongly hooked and with a cere which is 
more or less hidden by stiffish bristles; eyes large, directed forward, each 
surrounded by a more or less perfect ruff of modified, close-textured 
feathers ; in most species a bunch of elongate erectile feathers above each 
eye forming the so-called horns or ear-tufts; feet strong, claws curved 
and sharp; outer toe reversible; plumage soft and fluffy; colors generally 
various shades of brown, gray, and rufous and in most species vermic- 
ulated and streaked, the plumage resembling that of the Caprimulgide; 
habits nocturnal, or crepuscular, and insectivorous; eggs white, nearly 
globular, usually deposited in a hole in a hollow branch or trunk of a tree, 
or in a deserted hawk’s nest. 
Families. 
a, Claw of middle toe not pectinate; middle toe longer than inner toe. 
Strigide (p. 249) 
a?, Claw of middle toe pectinate on inner margin; inner and middle toes about 
ECTOPIC) a a set ee ee ee ee eRe nel oe ope Aluconide (p. 271) 
Family STRIGIDA. 
Characters same as those given in the key to Families. 
Subfamilies. 
a, Ear-conch not larger than eye and without an operculum; portion of facial 
disk below the eye greater than the area above the eye.... Bubonine (p. 249) 
a’, Ear-conch much larger than eye and with a large operculum; facial disk distinct 
and extending as far above as below the eye..................-..-.-- Strigine (p. 270) 
Subfamily BUBONIN 42. 
Genera. 
a, Toes without bristles. 
b'. Larger; wing, 230 mm. or more, but relatively shorter, falling short of the 
BE LACH SET ARs eM EN En a eA pe Ve ta eee Pseudoptynx (p. 249) 
b?. Smaller; wing, 220 mm. or less, but relatively longer, when folded reaching 
nearly or: quite to Tip OF tail yn -25) 2 oe eters teectactak nore nsncaccees Otus (p. 252) 
a?, Toes scantily clothed with rather stiff bristles...................-....-..-- Ninox (p. 260) 
Genus PSEUDOPTYNX Kaup, 1848. 
Large ; ear-tufts moderate ; primaries but little longer than secondaries ; 
plumage full and streaked ; legs closely feathered to the toes ; toes naked. 
Species. 
a. Larger; wing, 330 to 380 mm. 
b*. Smaller and lighter; wing, about 350 mm..................... philippensis (p. 250) 
b*. Larger and darker; wing, about 375 mm......._..............- mindanensis (p. 251) 
@. Smaller and darker; wing, about 235.....................-.---1.--0-sceeee" gurneyi (p. 250) 
