i68 



OWLS. 



scanty, the last joint and sometimes the whole toe being bare. This species attains 

 a length of 20 inches, and is confined to India. Its habits appear to be very similar 

 to those of the other species, the nesting-season being from February to April, and 

 the eggs usually laid on a shelf of rock near water, although occasionally in a hole 

 in the ground. That the eagle-owls are an old group is proved by the occurrence 

 of remains of extinct species in the Lower Miocene Tertiary of France ; those of 



INDIAN FISH-OWL (i nat. size). 



the existing European species occurring in the Pleistocene deposits of Norfolk. 

 The metatarsus may be distinguished from that of the snowy owl by its longer 

 and more slender form. 



The fish-owls of the Oriental region and Africa form a group 

 distinguished from all other members of the order by the under 

 surface of the toes being covered with a number of small spicules, thus presenting 

 an admirable holding surface. In most cases the metatarsus is naked. These owls 

 are divided into two genera, one of which (Cetupa) is confined to Palestine, 



Fish-Owls. 



