NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



Family STRIGID^E, The Owls. 



Char. Form usually short and heavy, with the head disproportionally large, 

 and frequently furnished with erectile tufts of feathers resembling the ears of quad- 

 rupeds. General organization adapted to vigorous and noiseless but not rapid 

 flight, and to the capture of animals in the morning and evening twilight. 



Eyes usually very large, directed forwards, and, in the greater number of 

 species, formed for seeing by twilight, or in the night. Bill rather strong, curved, 

 nearly concealed by projecting bristle-like feathers ; wings generally long ; outer 

 edges of primary quills fringed ; legs generally rather short, and in all species, 

 except in one Asiatic genus, {Kdupa,) more or less feathered, generally densely. 

 Cavity of the ear very large. Face encircled by a more or less perfect disc of short 

 rigid feathers, which, with the large eyes, gives to those birds an entirely peculiar, 

 and frequently cat-like, expression. Female generally larger than the male. 



According to Cassin there are about one hundred and fifty 

 species of Owls,* which are found in all parts of the world, of which 

 about forty are inhabitants of the continent of America and its 

 islands. Ten are known to occur in Canada. 



The larger species subsist on small quadrupeds and birds, 

 but much the majority prey almost exclusively on insects. A 

 few of the species are strictly diurnal, and in their general habits 

 seem to approach the birds of the preceding family, 



Sub-Family BUBONIN/E, The Horned Owl.s. 



Char. Head large, with erectile and prominent ear-tufts. Eyes large ; facial 

 disc not complete above the eyes and bill ; legs, feet and daws usually very strong. 



This division contains numerous species, some of which are 

 very large, but the greater number are medium sized or small. 

 They inhabit all parts of the world except Australia. 



• According to Sharpe's " Catalogue of the Birds of the British Museum," ihe total number 

 of species of Owls is now about 190. The British Museum contains 153, so that 37 are still 

 wanting to complete the collection ; the specific distinction of perhaps 10 of these is dubious. 



