OWLS. 249 



those species whose heads are ornamented with 

 lengthened feathers, which can be raised or de- 

 pressed at pleasure, and which has gained for the 

 hirds possessing them the common appellation of 

 " Eared" we have the plumage equally soft and 

 pliant as in the last, and the colouring is composed 

 of blended shades of brown and yellow. The 

 facial disk is large and expanded, and the eye, 

 when removed, is large, and is surrounded by a 

 ring of bony plates of much strength. The conch 

 is large, but the operculum is not so large or ex- 

 panded as in Strix, while, on the contrary, the 

 external opening of the ear is large, as if to com- 

 pensate for the lesser surface which can be thrown 

 open to receive the sounds. The bill is short and 

 hooked, the rictus not so ample. The habits of 

 Otus are more decidedly arboreal. They abide con- 

 stantly in woods, and breed on trees ; and, when 

 once roused from their day retreat, become wary 

 and shy. 



The food of the Owls consists chiefly of the 

 smaller mammalia. There are few birds, which 

 our common species could seize, which are noc- 

 turnal, and they do not seem to endeavour to seek 

 out their sleeping retreats. The castings of our 

 three commonest birds almost invariably contain 

 the remains^f mice and arvicoke, which, prowling 

 for their smaller wants in the night, also attract 

 attention, at the same time that they are evidently 



