30 OWLS. 



the parrots. The outward and visible characteris- 

 tics of this order are a short, parrot-like beak, the 

 outer toe reversible (in parrots it is permanently 

 reversed), very large eyes directed forwards, and 

 uncommonly well developed ears. They make their 

 nests in holes and lay white eggs like parrots. 

 Their plumage is peculiarly soft, even the quills, 

 so that they fly noiselessly. If you want more, 

 I may tell you that there is no ambiens muscle, 

 but basypterigoid processes are present. On the 

 other hand, the accessory femoro-caudal and the 

 semitendinosus and the accessory semitendinosus 

 are wanting. Now all this is very important and 

 not to be laughed at. These solemn words were 

 not invented only to bamboozle the unlearned, but 

 represent facts in the plan on which the frame of an 

 owl is constructed. And the question on which these 

 facts bear is more than curious. Expressed in popular 

 language the question is this. Is the owl only a 

 weak-eyed hawk that cannot bear the light of day, 

 or is it a bold and bad parrot which has taken to 

 night-walking and murder ? There is a great parrot 

 in Australia which has taken, within recent years, to 

 the extremely reprehensible practice of killing sheep 

 by fastening on them and tearing out their livers. 

 However, all such questions, fascinating though they 

 be, are outside of our present scope. We are con- 

 cerned with the outward aspect and habits of the two 

 or three kinds of owls which are domiciled in 

 Bombay. 



The Screech Owl is more common in our island 

 than in any other part of India with which I am 

 acquainted. This statement may surprise people 



