502 



MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY. 



The order Raptores is divided into two great sections-^the 

 Nocturnal Birds of Prey, which hunt by night, and have the 

 eyes directed forwards ; and the Diurnal Raptores, which 

 catch their prey by day, and have the eyes directed laterally. 



The section of \ky^ Nocturnal Raptores includes the single 

 family of the Strigidce, or Owls. In these birds the eyes are 

 large, and are directed forwards. The plumage is exceedingly 

 loose and soft, so that their flight (even when they are of large 

 size) is almost noiseless ; and it is generally spotted or barred with 

 different shades of grey, brown, or yellow. , The beak is short, 

 strongly hooked, furnished with bristles at its base, and having the 

 nostrils pierced in a membranous "cere" at the base of the upper 

 mandible. The cranial bones are highly pneumatic, and the head 

 is therefore of large size. The feathers of the face usually form 

 an incomplete or complete "disc" or circle round each eye 

 (fig. 198, B\ and a circle of plumes is likewise placed round 



i''otit of tawny Owl (^Ultiln siridnla) \ 

 '■ {Strixjlamiiiea). 



B, Head of white Owl 



each external meatus auditorius. Besides this auricular circle 

 of feathers, the external meatus of the ear is likewise protected 

 by a fold of skin. The legs are short and strong, and are fur- 

 nished with four toes, all armed with strong crooked talons. 

 The outer toe can be turned backwards, so that the foot has 

 some resemblance to that of the Scansores. The tarso-meta- 

 tarsus is densely feathered (fig. 198, A), and the plumes some- 

 times extend to the extremities of the toes. The oesophagus is 

 not dilated into a crop ; and the indigestible portions of the food 

 are rejected by regurgitation from the stomach in the form of 

 small pellets. The Owls hunt their prey in the twilight or on 

 moonlight nights, and they live mostly upon field-mice and 

 small birds, though they will also eat insects or frpgs. 



