254 BIRDS 



developed, and on the breast there is a row of inverted 

 feathers, known as the frill. The English Owl is a large 

 bird, developed in England from the original importations. 

 It has been greatly coarsened in recent years by crossing 

 with Antwerps. The breed never has been popular on this 

 side, and appears to be losing favor in England. The Eng- 

 lish Owl is found chiefly in blue, silver and dun. 



The African Owl is a very small and dainty breed. It 

 lacks the coarse clumsiness of its larger relative, with which 

 otherwise it is identical. It is bred extensively both in this 

 country and in England. There is a wide range of colors, 

 black, dun, white, blue and silver being the most common. 

 Blacks and duns pied with white are often seen, and 

 whites with black, blue or dun tails, known as " tailed," are 

 not rare. Reds and yellows have never been brought to the 

 state of perfection they deserve. 



The Chinese or Whiskered Owl is similar to the Afri- 

 can, but has the frill considerably more developed and ex- 

 tending around the sides of the neck. It is an exceedingly 

 pretty bird and is kept here in some numbers. In England, 

 however, it is not popular and is almost unknown. 



Owls, like all short-headed breeds, require feeders for 

 rearing the young. Birds of moderate quality tnay have 

 some success in feeding, but for really good ones the task 

 is hopeless. The handling of feeders has already been 

 described. 



The Turbit 



Like the Owl, the Turbit is a short, full-breasted bird, 

 of cobby build. It is small in size and also has a frilled 

 breast. The beak is short and stout, but less down-turned 

 than that of the Owl. The skull rises prominently in front, 

 falling oflf gradually toward the rear, where it is set off by 

 a well-peaked crest. This crest rises from a mane which 



