STEIX ELAMMEA. 167 



creamy tinge. Mr. Hume says that the eggs of the Indian birds are more oval than those of the European. 

 The average size is 1-69 by 1-28 inch. In Europe it is found that this Owl lays occasionally a second and 

 third clutch of eggs before the first brood leaves the nest, these latter, as Professor Alfred Newton remarks, 

 materially aiding the development of the unhatched chicks during the nightly absence of the parents in search 

 of food*. 



* Tarrell's ' British Birds,' 4th edition, p. 197. 



Order PS ITT A CI. 



Base of upper mandible covered with a cere, in which the nostrils are pierced, as in Accipitres; 

 upper mandible vaulted, much curved, the tip overhanging the lower, which is short and rounded. 

 Wings with ten primaries. Tail with twelve rectrices. Legs short. Feet zygodactyle. 



Sternum large, much as in Accijjitres, but narrower, and with an oval aperture in the 

 posterior edge ; cranium very large. (Esophagus dilated. Tongue fleshy. Of gay plumage. 



Fam. PS1TTACIM. 



Bill with the upper mandible wide at the base, suddenly compressed near the tip ; margin 

 with a well-pronounced lobe ; under mandible short and obtuse. Wings moderately long. Tail 

 variable. Tarsi covered with small tubercle-like scales. 



Subfam. PAL^ORNIN^, 



Bill moderate, the upper mandible moderately hooked. Tail very long and wedge-shaped ; 

 the central feathers far exceeding the rest, which are much graduated, Legs and feet 

 proportionately small. 



Of medium size, 



