STRIGINJE. SYRNIA. 59 



and the last entire ring partitioned. Eyes extremely 

 large, directed forwards, immobile ; upper eyelid very 

 large. Nostrils rather large or of moderate size, varying 

 in figure. Apertures of ears very large, often furnished 

 with elevated dermal margins or opercula, constituting a 

 kind of concha. Legs muscular ; tarsus covered with 

 feathers, which are sometimes however destitute of fila- 

 ments ; toes four, the outer next in length to the first 

 and capable of being directed backwards, the anterior 

 somewhat webbed at the base, all with a few scutella at 

 the end ; claws long, curved, tapering to a fine point. 

 Plumage very full, remarkably soft ; down very soft and 

 copious ; feathers of the face arranged so as to form two 

 disks surrounding the eyes ; a ruff of narrow recurved 

 feathers ; wings always broad ; the filaments of the outer- 

 most quill generally separated at the end and recurved ; 

 tail generally short, always of twelve more or less arched 

 feathers. 



Species of Striginse occur in all climates. Some, 

 which approach the Falconinee in form and habits, seek 

 their prey by day, but the greater number are nocturnal, 

 and unable to see in the full light of the sun. They feed 

 on quadrupeds, birds, and insects, sometimes on fishes, 

 and other animals. The hair, feathers, scales, elytra, 

 and bones, are disgorged in pellets. Their flight is 

 buoyant, and, owing to the peculiar softness of their 

 plumage, causes little or no sound. They nestle on the 

 ground, in hollow trees, rocks, and buildings, laying from 

 two to five roundish white eggs. The young, at first 

 covered with light- coloured down, remain till fully fledged. 

 Nine species rank as British, but only four are general 

 and resident. 



GENUS XII. SYRNIA. DAY-OWL. 



Bill very short, strong, with its upper outline decurved 

 from the base, the lower convex, the tip trigonal, decurved, 



