COKACIIFOEMES. 



4-09 



13. Ooraciiformes. 



(i) Owls (Striges). 



The Owls or Sfrifjiche are nocturnal birds of prey, with very 

 soft plumage, and with raptorial feet in which the fourth toe 

 is reversible. The eyes are directed forwards, and are large 

 in size. The beak, which is short, is furnished with a number 

 of bristles at its base, and the nostrils are pierced in the cere. 

 The head is large, owing to the cranial bones being hollow, 

 and the eyes are surrounded 

 by a disc or veil of feathers. 

 The ear is also surrounded by 

 feathers and protected by a 

 fold of skin. The undigested 

 food, as in the Falconidse, is 

 passed out in pellets from the 

 mouth. Striges have a wide 

 gullet, but rather small stomach. 

 There are nine genera recorded 

 in Great Britain. The four 

 common British species are the 

 Barn-Owl (St)'ix JIammea), the 

 Long-eared Owl {Asio otus), the 

 Short-eared Owl [Asio accipl- 

 trinus), and the Tawny Owl 

 {Sijrnium aluco). 



The Barn-Owl (S. flumiiiea) is common in most districts of 

 England, Ireland, and Wales, but less so in Scotland. This 

 useful bird takes up its abode in sheds and out-buildings, in 

 church-towers and hollow trees, where it remains concealed 

 during the daytime. The back of the male is pale orange, 

 variegated with grey and white ; beneath the plumage is white, 

 and so are the discs, which are edged with orange ; the bill is 

 white, and the legs are clothed in soft white feathers. Some 



Fig. 224.— Skull of Owl (Sehizognath- 

 ous, with Desmognathous tendency). 



