SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF THE GENERA OF BIRDS xv 



varied in many cases with berries and other fruits, and some of the larger 

 species will occasionally prey on mice, reptiles, and the eggs and young of 

 birds. Most, perhaps all of the migratory species, lay their eggs in the nest? 

 of other birds. 



57. CticuLUS (Cuckoo). Bill shorter than the head, broad, depressed 

 at the base, with the ridge curved and the sides compressed towards 

 the tip, which is entire and acute; nostrils in a membranous groove, 

 the opening rounded and exposed ; wings pointed, third primary- 

 longest ; tail long, graduated ; tarsi very short, feathered below 

 the heeL Page 137 



ORDER STRIGES 



(OWLS) 



Head large, feathered ; eyes large, dilated and projecting, each surrounded 

 by a concave disc formed of stiff diverging feathers, concealing the cere 

 and nostrils ; ears large, and of elaborate construction ; plumage lax and 

 downy, adapted for slow and quiet flight ; outer toe reversible ; tibia more 

 than double the length of tarsus. Food, small quadrupeds, birds, and insects. 



FAMILY STRIGIDiE 



SUB.FAMILY STRIGTNM 



Bill somewhat elongated, bending at the tip only ; head-tufts wanting 

 nostrils oval, oblique ; facial disc large and complete ; ears large, covered 

 by an operculum ; wings long, the second primary longest ; tarsi long, 

 feathered to the toes, which are strangely furnished with hair-like feathers ; 

 claws long, the middle one serrated beneath. 



58. Strix (White Owl). Characters given above. Page 142 



SUBFAMILY SYRNIINM 



Bill bending from the base ; tufts more or less conspicuous or wanting ; 

 facial disc complete ; ears large, covered by an operculum ; legs feathered 

 to the claws. 



59. Asio (Eared Owls). Nostrils oval, oblique ; tufts more or less elon- 



gated ; wings long, second primary the longest. Page 144 



60. Syrnium (Tawny Owl). Nostrils round; egrets wanting ; wings short 



and rounded ; fourth primary longest. Page 146 



ORDER ACCIPITRES 



(EAGLES, HAWKS, ETC.) 



Bill short, strong, stout at base, culm en strongly curved. Feet strong, 

 armed with powerful talons which are capable of being bent under the feet, 

 inner one stronger and more curved than others. Outer toe usually not 

 reversible. 



FAMILY FALCONID^E 



Head covered with feathers, though sides of face are more or less bare. 



SUB.FAMILY BUTEONINJE 



Bill rather small and weak, bending from the base ; cutting edge of the 

 upper mandible nearly straight, or but slightly festooned; cere large; 



