ELANUS. RAPTORES. ELANUS. 79 



The eggs, from four to six in number, are of a greenish-white, 

 with a few irregular blotches of dark brown at the larger end. 

 The young, when excluded, are covered with a buff-coloured 

 down, above which succeeds plumage very similar to that of 

 the adult, but destitute of its lustre and purple reflections. 

 This they retain till spring, when it becomes matured. 



The average size of this species appears to be about 



five inches in length, by four feet two or three inches tioru 

 in extent of wings. The bill is black, of mean strength ; 

 the cutting margins without a sinuation. The cere yel- 

 low, or, according to AUDUBON, pale blue; its base cover- 

 ed with bristles. The head, neck, and under plumage, 

 white, with a slight tinge of grey ; the shafts of the 

 feathers indicating a dark line upon the head, neck, and 

 breast. Mantle, wing-coverts, and scapulars, black, with 

 blue and purple reflections. Quills black ; the third the 

 longest in the wing ; the first being equal to the fifth. 

 Tail of twelve feathers ; and very deeply forked ; the 

 lateral ones much elongated, black, with green and pur- 

 ple reflections. Legs greenish-blue ; the tarsi very short, 

 feathered half way down the front ; the naked part co- 

 vered with reticulated scales. Toes short and divided ; 

 the anterior joints scutellated. Claws much incurved, 

 acute ; their colour flesh-red. 



FAMILY IV. STRIGID^E. 



The Owls or nocturnal birds of prey, which form the 

 fourth natural family of the order Raptores, are distinguished 

 by a peculiarity of physiognomy, that at once separates them 

 from all the others, and cannot fail to make them at once 

 cognizable by the most cursory observer. For, though 

 nearly related as they undoubtedly are in direct affinity with 

 the Falconidae, it cannot but be allowed, that a certain gra- 

 dation of form is wanting (either as yet undiscovered, or no 



