Classification of the Strigos. 



337 



lay some stress upon this fact is the opinion of Prof. 

 Newton^ that this curious Owl may prove to be intermediate 

 between the Strigidae and other Owls. I hope, however, 

 to be able, at some future time, to compare the skeleton of 

 Sceloglaux with that of Strix. 



Prof. Milne-Edwards, in his memoir upon Photodilus, 

 shows plainly that this genus belongs to tlie Bubonine and 

 not to the Strigine group in the proportions of the skull and 

 in the possession of a flattened interorbital septum. 



There is one feature in the skull of the Striges, serving to 

 distinguish the Strigidaj from the Bubonidse, which has 

 apparently escaped the attention of Prof. Milne -Ed wards. 



Y\s. 1. 



Fig. 1. — Under surface of the skull of Strix Jlnmmea. E. Prefrontal 

 processes of the ethmoid ; W. Maxilln-palatiues. 



Fig. 2. — Under surface of the skull of Bubo hem/nlenxis. (Lettering as 

 in fig. 1.) 



In Strix (woodcut, fig. 1) the prefrontal processes of the 



ethmoid are rounded and much swollen. In Bubo (fig. 2), 



* Eneycl. Brit., art. "Owl." 



2b 2 



