122 AVES. 



FAMILY II. 

 NOCTURNE. 



NOCTURNAL birds of prey have a large head ; great eyes, directed forwards, 

 surrounded by a circle of slender feathers, the anterior 

 of which cover the cera of the beak, and the posterior 

 the opening of the ear. Their enormous pupil per- 

 mits the entrance of so many rays of light, that they 

 are dazzled by that of day. Their cranium, which 

 is thick, but formed of a light substance, is excavated 

 by large sinuses, which communicate with the ear, 

 and which probably assist in strengthening the sense 

 of hearing ; but the organs of flight are not very 

 vigorous ; their fourchette is weak ; their feathers 

 being soft, and covered with a fine down, make no 

 noise in flying. They can direct their external toe either forwards or back- 

 wards. These birds are chiefly on the wing during twilight, and when the 

 moon shines. When attacked in the day time, they do not fly off, but stand 

 more erect, assume odd postures, and make the most ludicrous gestures. 



Their prey is wholly animal, consisting of mice, small birds, and insects. 

 Small birds have a natural antipathy to them, and frequently assemble from 

 all quarters to attack them. They form but one genus, 



STRIX, Linnaeus. 



The Owls may be divided by their tufts, the size of their ears, the extent of 

 the circle of feathers which surrounds their eyes, and some other characters. 



OTUS, Cuvier. 



The Horned Owls, or those which have two tufts of feathers on the fore- 

 head (vulg. horns), which they can erect at pleasure ; the conch of their ear 

 extends in a semicircle from the beak to the top of the head, and is furnished 

 in front with a membraneous operculum. Their feet are feathered down to 

 the nails. Such is 



Sir. Otus, Lin. (The Common Owl.) Fawn-coloured, with longitudinal 

 brown spots on the body and underneath ; wings and back vermiculated with 

 brown ; horns half the length of the head ; eight or nine bands on the tail. 



The genus Strix, as already stated, now forms several subgenera, such as 

 Otus, Syrnium, Bubo, Scops, and Noctua. To the last belongs the 



Sir. nyctea, Lin. (The Snowy Owl.) This bird almost equals the Grand 

 Due in size. Its snow-white plumage is marked with transverse brown spots, 

 which disappear with age. It inhabits the north_of both continents, builds 

 upon high rocks, and pursues hares, grouse, &c. 



