RAPTORES. ^ 295 



the unusually small feet and claws also indicate that they do 

 not prey on large animals. They are not found in any great 

 numbers. 



Surnia. (Gr. owls.) This is a genus of Owls having small 

 heads, feathered claws, and wedged tails. Unlike the Barn Owl, 

 they seek their food during the day. Among the species is the 



BURROWING OWL, <S. cunicularia. (Lat. from cuniculus, a 

 rabbit,) found on the plains near Columbia river, and through- 

 out the whole extent of the Rocky Mountains. It resides in the 

 forsaken burrows of the Badgers and Marmots, (see Prairie Dogs 

 in our account of the Rodentia;) it does not, however, appear to 

 live on terms of intimacy with those animals. The burrow 

 selected by this bird, is usually found at the foot of the worm- wood 

 bush, (artemisia absinthium,) upon the summit of which, this Owl 

 often perches. The plumage, as Mr. Townsend states, swarms 

 with fleas, probably left in their burrows by the Marmots and 

 Badger. "I know," says Mr. T., "of no other bird infested by 

 that kind of vermin." The eggs of this Owl are about as large 

 as those of the common House-Pigeon. The length of the male 

 is ten inches, of the female, eleven inches. 



THE GREAT SNOWY OWL, S. nyctea,(Gr. from nux,) is nearly 

 as large as the Eagle Owl, and on account of its snowy white- 

 ness, one of the most beautiful of the tribe. It is found in the 

 high mountain latitudes of both continents. 



(3.) HORNED OWLS. 



These are so called, from having the head furnished with a 

 pair of tufts of feathers longer than the rest, which are placed 

 above the ears. The tufts are termed egrets, and in many spe- 

 cies, can be raised or lowered at will. Of this division, is the 

 genus Bubo, (Lat. Horned Owl,) in which the ear-opening is 

 small. 



THE GREAT HORNED OWL, EAGLE OWL, B. maximus, (Lat. 

 greatest,) is one of the largest of the nocturnal birds, being not 

 much inferior in size to the Golden Eagle. It is very destruc- 

 tive to grouse, hares, and even fawns. Formerly, this bird was 

 sometimes used by falconers to entrap the Kite. It inhabits the 

 great forests of Europe ; but is seldom seen in England. Pliny 

 refers to it as an ill-omened bird, on account of whose visits 

 ancient Rome twice underwent lustration. 



THE VIRGINIA HORNED OWL, B. Virginianus, is a native of 

 North America, being found in almost every part of the United 

 States, and in the fur countries where the timber is of large size. 

 Audubon represents it to be quite equal to the Eagle Owl in 



