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Genus SURNIA. 



Strix apud Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 133 (1766). 



Surnia, Dumeril, Zool. Anal. p. 34 (1806). 



Stryx apud Pallas, Zoogr. Rosso-As. i. p. 316 (1811). 



Noctua apud Cuvier, Regne Anim. ed. 2, i. p. 344 (1829). 



Nycthierax apud Sundevall, Avium disp. Tent. p. 106 (1872). 



This genus contains only two very closely allied species, which inhabit the Palsearctic and 

 Nearctic Regions, breeding in the more boreal portions, and ranging southwards during the 

 winter. Both species inhabit the Western Palsearctic Region, one being a constant resident, and 

 the other merely a straggler from the Nearctic Region. 



In habits as well as in appearance these Owls remind one much of a Hawk, being strictly 

 diurnal ; for they wander about and seize their prey by day alone, and may frequently be seen 

 hawking round during bright sunshine. They are powerful and courageous, frequently striking 

 birds larger than themselves ; and though their flight is noiseless, it is strong and swift. 



They feed on small mammals and birds, and to some extent also on insects. Their cry is 

 shrill and loud, like that of a Hawk, and it is generally uttered when they are disturbed. 



They nest in the hollow of a tree, placing their eggs, which vary in number from three to 

 seven, on the chips and splinters at the bottom of the hole. Their eggs are pure white in colour 

 and rather round in shape, like those of most of their allies. 



Surnia ulula, the type of the genus, has the bill short, stout, decurved from the base, the 

 lower mandible notched, nostrils small, round, quite concealed by stiff feathers ; cere small ; 

 facial disk nearly obsolete ; orifice of the ears small, without operculum ; head flat, without 

 tufts; wings short, the first quill shorter than the fifth, the second equal to the fourth, the third 

 longest ; tail long and graduated ; tarsus rather short, the legs and toes densely feathered, claws 

 moderate, curved, acute. 



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