1837.] On some new Genera of Raptores. 371 



and the superior length and firmness of its tail, as well as hy its short 

 and strong legs. In the last respect there is a close resemhlance on 

 the part of Bulaca to Otus ; but the conch and disc are not half the 

 size that they are in Otus ; the conch is oval, and the definite form of 

 the ear-valve is quite opposed to the character of this organ in Otus, 

 agreeing more closely with Strix. The long and feeble wings and 

 short and feeble tails of Strix and of Otus, are characters peculiarly 

 their own : and they are united with, in the former, a bill so long and 

 feeble, and, in the other, a bill so short and arched, that there is no 

 mistaking the combination of these attributes in either genus. I know 

 no Strigine type at all agreeing with Strix in the character of the bill, 

 taking its feebleness and length together. But, it is a grievous mistake 

 to suppose, with Cuvier, that Strix alone exhibits either elongation 

 or straightness in this member : for, not only our Huhda and Cultrun- 

 guis have a long and straightened bill ; but these characters are 

 distinctly, though less, developed in Urrua and in Bulaca. 



The otine form of the rostrum (short, thick, and wholly curved) no 

 doubt is very prevalent among the Strigidte ; since it is possessed in 

 common by Otus, Bubo, Scops, Noctua, and Ninox. But the tumiditv 

 of the nares in the three last is not found in the first : and Ninox (not 

 to mention its smooth head, divested of all Strigine characteristics 

 save the size of the eye) is sundered wholly from Otus by its firm 

 plumage, and by the length and strength of both wings and tail. In 

 Otus the tail, though longer, is as feeble as in Strix ; and in both 

 these genera the wings, though long, have all the flimsiness proper 

 to the family. 



Noctua, by its firm plumage (including wings and tail) as well as by 

 its depressed perching hairy feet, its evanescent disc, simple small ears, 

 smooth head, and short arched bill with tumid round nares, makes the 

 nearest approach to our Ninox. But shortness in the wing is the 

 pre-eminent attribute of Noctua, whilst the very opposite is that of 

 Ninox. In Surma the wings appear to be rather short, and the tail, 

 though long, is extremely wedged. In Ninox alone have we wings 

 and tail formed upon the Falconine model. And these peculiarities, 

 taken in connexion with feet in which the insessorial character prevails 

 almost over the Raptorial — just as it does in many of the little insecti- 

 vorous Falcons — constitute our Ni7iox a signal type. Our Cultrunguis 

 is equally conspicuous by its Pandionic feet and habits ; and our Huhda 

 by its combination of aquiline attributes — the chief of which are pre- 

 eminent size and strength, and a bill uniting length and straightness 

 with enormous power. I am quite certain that both these birds 



