44 ypCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



backwards at will. The apparatus of flight is not strong, the 

 fourchette is weak, and the feathers are armed with soft beard, 

 and are covered with a very fine down ; the gizzard is somewhat 

 muscular. 



59. These birds which are often designated under the collec- 

 tive name of Owls,— Strix, — are blinded by broad day, and 

 only see well in the twilight, or at night when it is not veiy dark, 

 the time they choose for hunting ; and as their silky feathers 

 permit them to fly without noise, it is very easy for them to 

 obtain possession of birds and small mammals upon which they 

 suddenly pounce; there are some species that hunt even in the 

 day time, but during this period tney generally retire into hollow 

 trees or rents in walls ; sometimes they lay squat on branches 

 of trees, and then all the little birds, of which they are the terror 

 during twilight, come to tease and insult them. During the night 

 they often utter plaintive cries, which the vulgar regard as un- 

 fortunate omens ; but in reality these birds are more useful than 

 injurious to agriculture, on account of the number of small 

 m.ammal-3 of the order of rodentia which they destroy. It is 

 probable, the large size of the head, and their habitual tranquility, 

 obtained for them the reputation for wisdom which they enjoyed 

 among the ancients. 



60. All the nocturnal birds of prey resemble each other very 

 much, and the differences observed pass from one to the other by 

 such insensible intermediate shades that it is difficult to establish 

 good generic differences in this family. 



t)l. Owls PRORERLY so called, — Eared Owls, — Oiiis, — (Plate 

 3, /ig. 2.) have the disk of fringed feathers which surrounds the 

 eyes, very complete, and itself bordered by a circle of scaly 

 feathers; they have moveable tufts half the length of the head, 

 the external ear very large and furnished in front with a mem- 

 branous operculum, and the feet are feathered to the nails. The 

 common owl, — Strix o(us, — is frequent in France and the United 

 States ; its length from the top of its head to the end of the tail 

 is tijirteen or fourteen inches, and its plumage is yellow with 

 brown spots. It ordinarily inhabits forests, and establishes its 

 retreat in caverns, deserted houses, in ruins, and during the 

 wlioJe night utters sad and plaintive groans ; it often takes pos- 

 session of nests abandoned by crows, ducks, &:c. 



59. Why are Owls desig-nated as nocturnal birds of prev ? Upon what 

 do they feed? 



60. Are the generic ditterences found in Xocturnal birds of prey easily 

 recognised ? 



61. Hov\- arc Owls properly so called characterised "'' 



