52 RAPTORIAL BIRDS 
present comparatively narrow limits. The Short- 
horned Owl has probably the widest geographical 
range of any known bird, and is found in most parts 
of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, as well as in 
various insular localities, of which the Sandwich Islands 
are perhaps the most remarkable. 
The Long-horned Owl of the British Islands is the 
type of the succeeding genus, Ofus, all the other well 
ascertained species of which are American, excepting 
one that is a native of Madagascar. ‘The British Long- 
horned Owl ( Otus vulgaris) is one of the handsomest 
of the tribe, and from the increase of fir plantations in 
which it loves to nest, appears to be resident in this 
country in Somewhat increasing numbers. 
The greater number of the Long-eared Owls, which 
occur in Great Britain, are, however, migratory in- 
dividuals, arriving in the autumn from Northern 
Europe, whither they mostly return on the approach 
of Spring. ‘This species is generally spread over 
Europe and many parts of Asia, and also occurs in 
winter in Northern Africa. 
The genus /#i/opsis was instituted for the reception 
of a peculiar species of Small-horned Owl, a native of 
Africa; and that of Psewdoscops was similarly instituted 
for the reception of a species peculiar to Jamaica, 
but the remaining Small-horned Owls, of which the 
various species are widely scattered over Europe, Asia, 
Africa, and America, as well as over many oceanic 
