THE BIRDS 307 



on account of certain similarities of habit, but ornithologists now 

 agree in raising them to a higher position among the birds, con- 

 sidering that they are more closely akin to the nightjars and their 

 allies. By some authorities they are classed as a sub-order 

 Strides in the order Coracuformes ; others consider that Striges 

 constitutes an order by itself. 



The general appearance of an Owl is familiar to most people ; 

 the great round eyes surrounded by a disc of stiff feathers give 

 the bird a peculiar air of solemnity, and in times not so very 

 remote from the present day it was generally regarded with super- 

 stitious dread as a bird of ill-omen. Its large eyes are extremely 

 sensitive to strong light. Owls are usually nocturnal in their 

 habits, and their silent, stealthy flight, and weird hoots and cries, 

 as they hunt for prey at dusk, have no doubt been responsible for 

 their being looked upon as birds of mystery. 



Owls are almost universal in their distribution, and frequent the 

 most varied descriptions of country. Some species live in wooded 

 districts, others in rocky ravines ; on the sandy plains of both North 

 and South America the quaint little Burrowing Owl (Speotyto 

 cunicularia] lives in its underground burrow ; on the cold barren lands 

 and fjelds of the Arctic regions the Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) 

 makes its nest. Holes in trees are chosen by many species in which 

 to deposit their eggs, others take possession of deserted rabbit 

 holes or squirrels' dreys ; the Tawny Owl and the Barn Owl often 

 make their home in old buildings and ruins, the later especially 

 being fond of taking up its abode in belfries and old church towers. 



All Owls are carnivorous, their food consisting of insects, particu- 

 larly beetles ; small mammals such as mice and rats ; and occasion- 

 ally small birds, reptiles and bats ; worms, slugs and snails are also 

 eaten sometimes ; and although Owls are accused of stealing young 

 pheasants, grouse, etc., they really are useful in destroying quantities 

 of rats which do so much harm on game preserves, and their whole- 

 sale destruction is very short-sighted policy; 



Owls have usually exceedingly long talons, sharp and curved, 

 and the fourth toe can be turned backwards or forwards at will. 

 When perching an Owl generally clasps its support parrot fashion, 

 with two toes turned backwards and two forwards ; but sometimes 

 the fourth toe is turned forwards, and this is always the case when 

 the Owl is on the ground. 





