105 



THE LONG-EARED OWL. 



Its length is fourteen inches ; breadth somewhat more 

 than three feet. Its bill is black irides of a bright yellow ; 

 the radiated circle round each is of a light cream colour, 

 in some parts tinged with red ; between the bill and the 

 eye there is a circular streak of a dark brown colour ; 

 another circle of a dark rusty brown entirely surrounds the 

 face : its horns or ears consist of six feathers, closely laid 

 together, of a dark brown colour ; tipped and edged with 

 yellow ; the upper part of the body is beautifully pencilled 

 with fine streaks of white, rusty, and brown ; the breast 

 and neck are yellow, finely marked with dusky streaks, 

 pointing downwards ; the belly, thighs, and vent feathers 

 are of a light cream colour ; upon each wing there are 

 four or five large white spots ; the quill and tail feathers 

 are marked with dusky and reddish bars; the legs are 

 feathered down to the claws, which are very sharp ; the 

 outer claw is moveablej and may be turned backwards. 



THE SHORT-EARED OWL. 



Length fourteen inches ; breadth three feet. The head 

 is small, and Hawk-like ; bill dusky ; the irides are of a 

 bright yellow and when the pupil is contracted, shine like 

 gold ; the circle round each eye is of a dirty white, with 

 dark streaks pointing outwards'; immediately round the eye 

 there is a circle of black ; the two horns or ears consist of 

 not more than three feathers, of a pale brown or tawny 

 colour, with a dark streak in the middle of each -, the whole 

 upper part of the body is variously marked with brown 

 and tawny, the feathers are mostly edged with the latter : 

 the breast and belly are of a pale yellow, marked with dark 

 longitudinal streaks, which are most numerous on the 

 breast : the legs and feet are covered with feathers of a pale 

 yellow colour ; the claws are much hooked and black ; the 

 wings are long, and extend beyond the tail ; the quills are 

 marked with alternate bars of dusky and pale brown ; 

 the tail is likewise marked with bars of the same colours, 

 and the middle feathers are distinguished by a dark spot in 

 the centre of the yellow space ; the tip ia white. 



