STBIGID^ STBIX 235 



Key of the Genera. 



A. Claw of the middle toe pectinated on its 



inner side ; no ear tufts ; facial disc very- 

 distinct Strix, p. 235. 



B. Claw of the middle toe not pectinated. 



a. Tarsus bare, no ear tufts Scotopelia, p. 260. 



h. Tarsus feathered at least for three-fourths 

 of its length, 

 a'. Ear opening larger than the eye, pro- 

 vided with an operciilmn ; facial disc 

 well marked, extending as far below 

 as above the eye. 

 a-. Ear tufts present ; iris always yellow. Asio, p. 241. 

 V. Ear tufts absent ; iris always brown. Syrnium, p. 245. 

 6'. Ear opening smaller than the eye, with- 

 out operculum ; facial disc not well 

 defined and hardly extending below 

 the level of the eye. 

 a". Cere normal not swollen ; nostrils at 

 its anterior margin ; ear tufts 

 present. 

 a^. Of large size, wing over 12'0 ; wings 

 short, falhng short of the tail by 

 at least the length of the tarsus. Bubo, p. 247. 

 h^. Of small size, wing under 8'0 ; 

 wings long, almost or quite reach- 

 ing the tail tip Scops, p. 254. 



6-. Cere swollen and pea-shaped, nostrils 



within its limits; no ear tufts Glau,cidiiim,p. 256. 



Family I. STRIGID^. 



Skull long and narrow relatively ; sternum with one slight notch 

 posteriorly ; the furcula anchylosed to the keel of the sternum ; 

 second joint of the third toe considerably longer than the basal 

 joint ; claw of the middle toe pectinated on its inner margin. 



There are only two genera in this family : Strix, which is 

 practically cosmopolitan, and Heliodilus, peculiar to Madagascar. 



Genus I. STRIX. 



Type. 

 Strix, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 133 (1766) S. flammea. 



Bill somewhat small, compressed and weak ; facial disc very 

 complete, the stiff decomposed feathers radiating out in every 



