NOOTUENAL BIRDS OF PREY. 225 



described by Mr. Pennant : " It is less than the buzzard ; the ear 

 is of a pale greenish yellow ; above each eye, to the hind part of 

 the head, passes a broad white line, and beneath each, a black 

 mark pointing downward; the throat white; the breast tinged 



The Hawk Lannsrins. 



with dull yellow, and marked with- brown spots pointing down- 

 ward ; the thighs spotted in the same manner j the quill-feathera 

 dusky; and the tail spotted like the wings." 



II NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



Under the sub-order owl, there are no less than twenty-six 

 species, or varieties. Owls are nocturnal birds of prey; their 

 head is large in proportion to the rest of their body ; their eyes,^ 

 too, are large and prominent; their skull is thick, light, with nu- 

 merous cavities ; their outer toe may be directed forward or back- 



p 



