BIRDS 



165 



Jackass (Dacelo gigantea) (fig. 113) of Australia and New Guinea 

 may be taken. Here the beak is broader and stronger, and the 

 tail is longer than in fish-eating forms. 



Order 3. OWLS (Singes] 



Here are included birds of prey, which are mostly nocturnal, 

 and of characteristic appearance mainly due to the large forwardly- 

 directed eyes surrounded by discs of radiating feathers. The 

 four toes of the strong 

 feet are all provided 

 with sharp claws, and 

 the fourth toe is re- 

 versible, being turned 

 forwards or back- 

 wards at will. In 

 flight these birds are 

 peculiarly noiseless, 

 their plumage being 



IT o O 



extremely soft. The 

 young are helpless. 

 Owls are universally 

 distributed, and in all 

 countries are regarded 

 with awe by the super- 

 stitious, which is no 

 doubt the result of 

 their peculiar appear- 

 ance and habits, ag- 

 ora Vated by a mOSt Fig ' II3 '~ Lau S hin S Jackass (Dacelo gigantea] 



unearthly voice. 



The most familiar British form is undoubtedly the Barn-Owl 

 (Strix flammed], which is almost as universally distributed as 

 the order to which it belongs. Other well-known native forms 

 are the Tawny or Wood-Owl (Syrnium aluco\ the "hoot" of. 

 which is a familiar country sound, the Long-eared Owl (Asia 

 otus\ and the Short-eared Owl (Asia accipitrimis]. The "ears" 

 of the last two kinds are tufts of feathers on the top of the head. 

 The large Snowy Owl (Nyctea Scandiacd] regularly visits North 

 Scotland during the winter. 



