PLATE 



ORDER RAPTORES. 



THE number of birds of this order is very small in Australia, compared with other portions of the 

 globe. There are none of the immense vultures which are found in other parts, and in fact very 

 few of the larger species. The principal reason of this is, perhaps, that the greater part of animal 

 food to be obtained consists of reptiles, which are only fitted for the smaller kinds of Rapaces. 



GENUS HIERACOGLAUX (Kauf.) 



THE members of this genus are generally looked upon as nocturnal birds, but are not strictly so, 

 as they also fly by day. 



HI&RACOGLAUX STEENUUS. 



GREAT OWL OF THE BRUSHES. 



THIS is one of the largest and most powerful of the Raptores, in fact the Aquila Anclax and 

 Polioatus Leucogaster are the only two which are superior to it in strength. 



It is found in the brushes of Victoria, New South Wales, and the southern part of Queensland, 

 generally near the coast. 



It generally sleeps by day and flies forth at night, when its presence is betrayed by the 

 hoarse note which it utters, and which resembles somewhat the lowing of cattle. It is sometimes also 

 heard abroad during the daytime. 



It feeds on birds and small quadrupeds, which are to be obtained in great quantities in the 

 vicinity of its haunts. 



The head, upper surface, wings, and tail are clove-brown, each feather having a mark of very 

 dark brown ; face, throat, and upper part of the chest, buff, with a mark of dark brown down the 

 centre of each feather ; rest of under surface, light grey, crossed by irregular bars of brown ; irides 

 and feet, yellow ; bill, greyish horn-colour. 



Total length, 24 inches; bill, 2 inches; wing, 15 inches; tail, W\ inches; tarsi, 2\ inches. 



Habitats 1 Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. 



