OWL. 299 



authors of respectability could not be otherwise tlian noticed, not- 

 withstanding the reader may hesitate concerning their certainty. 

 Be this as it may, we think it much better for the descriptions, 

 unsatisfactory and imperfect as they are in many instances, to stand 

 as they do, till the identity of such specimens may be better 

 ascertained. 



Tlie same circumstance will be observed in regard to the birds 

 belonging to several other genera, for which the same apology must 

 hold good. We have taken every pains possible to elucidate the 

 subject, as repeated instances will shew ; the rest must be left to the 

 more successful Ornithologist. 



We have divided the genus of Owl into two sections, viz. — 

 Tliose which have two tufts of feathers, larger than the rest, on the 

 top of the head; usually, though improperly, called ears — The 

 other, in which the head is destitute of them, being perfectly smooth. 



Q<l2 



