VI STRIGES 397 



further south ; while it extends through most of Asia and reaches 

 Japan. The fine erectile crest, the head, neck, and lower parts 

 are cinnamon-coloured ; the remaining plumage is hlack, varied 

 with buff and white ; a band of the latter crosses the tail ; and 

 the head plumes are tipped with black and white. U. marginata 

 of ^Madagascar has a larger outer primary and a narrower tail- 

 band ; U. indica, with darker cinnamon tints, extends from India 

 to Hainan, and intergrades with U. epops ; U. somalensis of Somali- 

 Laud is intermediate between the last and U. africana of South 

 Africa, which exhibits no white on the primaries or crest. 

 Females and young are duller and less crested. 



A fossil form, Limnatornis, occurs in the Lower French Miocene. 



Sub-fam. 2. Irrisorinae. — The Wood-Hoopoes, differing from 

 their allies in the longer and more decurved bill, especially 

 noticeable in Bhinopomastus, the long wedge-shaped tail, and the 

 absence of a crest, are commonly seen in flocks of from six to 

 eight ; they are 'shy, restless and noisy, flitting from bush to 

 bush with undulating motion and expanded rectrices, while they 

 also creep about probing the crannies of the highest trees — to the 

 great detriment of the tail — or search the ground for grubs and 

 insects generally. The note is harsh and chattering ; the nest, 

 said to be foul like that of their allies, is placed in holes in trees, 

 the eggs being apparently white. The plumage is metallic piirple, 

 blue or greenish, With white wing-patch and tail-markings, the 

 females and young being less bright, with shorter beaks. 



Irrisor occupies the Ethiopian Region, /. viridis and I. erythro- 

 rhynchus having the head and throat bluish-green, I. hollii those 

 parts buff, I. jcccJcsoni nearly white. Three species of Scoptelus 

 inhabit North -East and West Africa, three of Hhinopomastus 

 extend from the former country and the Congo to South Africa. 



The Sub-Order Stkiges, containing the natural and well-marked 

 group of the Owls, was until lately usually treated as a mere 

 Family situated next to the diurnal Birds of Prey {Accipitres 

 of this work), whatever name or rank may have been given to 

 the combined assemblage. Gradually, however, a conviction has 

 arisen that these nocturnal — or chiefly nocturnal — Birds of Prey 

 deserve a higher position than that of a Family, while Dr. Gadow, 

 in the classification here mainly adopted, agrees with those who 

 would separate them widely from their former associates, and places 



