RAPTORES. BUBO. 81 



organ of hearing (and upon a strict analysis and comparison 

 of which only a circular arrangement of the subdivisions can 

 be formed agreeable to nature), compels me to adhere at pre- 

 sent to an arrangement of the British species under the ge- 

 neric heads admitted by most of the eminent modern orni- 

 thologists. 



The general characters of the family may be stated as fol- 

 lows. Bill hooked, compressed ; the base covered with a 

 cere. Nostrils, oval or rounded ; placed in the anterior part 

 of the cere, and covered, as well as the greater part of the 

 bill, with reflected bristly feathers. Head large ; face more 

 or less flat, surrounded by a ruff or border of small close-set 

 feathers. Eyes large, encompassed by a radiated circle of 

 slender hairy feathers. Toes three before and one behind, 

 the outer one reversible. Claws moderately incurved ; long, 

 and very sharp. Plumage soft and downy. 



GENUS BUBO, CUT. EAGLE OWL. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill, short, strong, bending from the base, compressed to- 

 wards the tip. The cutting margin of the upper mandible 

 slightly sinuated. Nostrils, large, oval or rounded, placed 

 in the anterior part of the cere. Facial disk small and in- 

 complete above the eyes ; head furnished with egrets or tufts. 

 Auditory opening, small, oval, without an operculum. Wings 

 rather short, concave ; the third and fourth quill-feathers 

 generally the largest. Legs and toes clothed with feathers. 

 Outer toe reversible ; claws long, moderately curved, and 

 very sharp. 



This genus was established by CUVIER, and contains, be- 

 sides the Great-horned or Eagle Owl of Europe, several other 

 species, amongst which may be mentioned the Virginian 

 Horned Owl (Bubo Virginiana) and the Arctic Horned 

 Owl (Bubo Arctica) of Dr RICHARDSON and SWAINSON, 

 VOL. i. F 



