BRITISH BIRDS. 1 09 



148. Coeeyzus erythrophthalmus (Wils.). BLACK- 

 BILLED CUCKOO. 



Hab. America, from Canada to Brazil. Migrating 

 from northern portions in winter. 



A single example was shot in Co. Antrim, Ireland, 

 September 25th, 1871. The remarks made above apply 

 also to this species. 



ORDER STRXGES. 

 Family Strigidae. 



In the owls the outer toe is reversible, two toes being 

 invariably directed forward and two behind when perching. 

 I know this to be the case in Strix, Bubo, Syrnium, 

 Athene, and Nyctea, and it is doubtlessly so in all other 

 genera. 



GENUS LXXV. STRIX, Linnaeus (1766). 

 Bill moderate, basal portion straight, upper mandible 

 much decurved at tip, but with cutting edges nearly 

 straight ; lower mandible notched ; facial disc complete ; 

 opening of the ear very large. Wings long ; tail short, 

 nearly even. Tarsus rather long, feathered ; toes naked, 

 save for a few hairy feathers ; claws, long, curved. 



149. Strix flammea, Linn. BARN-OWL. 



Hab. Europe (excepting eastern Russia), north to 

 lat. 60 in the west ; also North Africa from Morocco 

 to Egypt. 



Male : above huffish-orange, with small longitudinal 

 spots of brownish-black, and white and delicate grey 

 pencillings ; facial discs white, edged with reddish- 

 brown ; primaries and tail barred with greyish-brown ; 



