418 



FAMILY STRIGIDJE, OR OWL TRIBE. 



is certainly of a different species from the South African, is 

 found in the Philippine Islands ; and there is also one inhabiting 

 Senegambia, which is probably distinct from either. 



380. The Nocturnal Birds of Prey, constituting the family 

 STRIGIDJE, or the Owl tribe, are distinguished from the preceding 

 by many important peculiarities ; besides that difference in the 

 character of the plumage, which has been already adverted to 

 ( 364) : and all these peculiarities have reference to their noc- 

 turnal habits. The first thing that strikes us in their appear- 

 ance, is the large size of the head ; this is partly due to the 

 looseness of the plumage with which it is covered ; but it also 

 shows itself when this is removed, and is caused by the exist- 

 ence, between the inner and outer tables (or bony layers) of the 

 skull, of a number of large cells, which communicate with the 

 organ of hearing, and render that sense more acute. We find in 

 Owls an external ear, or conch, which exists in no other Birds ; 



this is concealed by 

 the feathers, which 

 are arranged in a sort 

 of hollow cone around 

 it; and in some 

 species it is covered 

 with a sort of lid, or 

 operculum, which the 

 Bird has the power of 

 opening or shutting 

 at pleasure. In many 

 species the external 

 ear is much larger 

 than in the one 

 here represented. 

 The eyes of Owls are 

 very large, and are 

 directed forwards ; they are surrounded by two conical disks of 

 feathers (Fig. 220), at the bottom of which the eyes are placed ; 

 and these being usually composed of white and shining feathers, 

 doubtless serve to cause the feeble rays, by the aid of which 



FIG. 219. EAR OF HOWLET. 



