BIRDS OF PREY. 



93 



in Southern Africa, but the northern portions of our globe must be regarded as their actual home, 

 from whence they wander forth occasionally to other regions, but live and breed for the most 

 part in their native lands. All are nocturnal Birds of Prey, and pass the entire day in such localities 

 as afford them shelter from the sun, whose rays they studiously avoid, though they see with ease 

 in the daylight. The larger species of Uhus live alone or in pairs, but the smaller are constantly 

 met with in considerable flocks, except during the breeding season. These birds exhibit an extra- 



THE UHU {Bubo maximtis). 



ordinary degree of good fellowship towards their congeners, and many touching stories have been 

 told of their kindly behaviour towards each other ; they are, however, inferior to the Diurnal Owls 

 as regards their activity and intelligence. 



THE UHU. 



The Uhu (Bubo maximus), King of the Night, as it has been aptly called, is the largest 



species of Owl with which we are acquainted ; its length often exceeding two feet, and its breadth 



five feet ; its wing measures sixteen, and its tail ten inches. The rich soft plumage of this bird 



is of a dark rust red, streaked with black upon the upper parts of the body, and on the under 



