260 ULULA. 



and vent is often marked at tlie tips of the feathers 

 with grayish black spots. 



The eyes of this species are smaller in proportion 

 than in the other British species. (See wood cut, 

 p. 251.) The irides deep umber brown. The colour 

 of the bill is yellowish pink. In the extra Euro- 

 pean specimens of birds which are considered to 

 be identical with this, the under parts are always 

 more tinged with ochraceous. 



For our next genus we have adopted the name 

 of Ulula, given by Cuvier to the Tawny Owl, as 

 more appropriate, and possessing otherwise as 

 strong claims as that of Syrnium (Savigny.) 



As a generic type, it will appear to possess charac- 

 ters of a very marked description, and varying widely 

 from those of the birds we have commenced with, 

 and which Mr Swainson has used as typical of the 

 whole group. The much stronger and less length- 

 ened bill, the greater development of the organs of 

 sight, the small conchal opening, and the difference 

 in the structure of the wings, are all very impor- 

 tant. The ears, though having the conchal opening 

 comparatively small, have an operculum propor- 

 tionally larger, and more complete than any of the 

 other European forms, Strix excepted; in the 

 American Barred Owl, which has been generally 

 ranged with this, both on account of the similarity 

 of structure and manners, the operculum is rounded, 

 nearly similar in form to the true Strix^ and : 



