Ceylon Ornithology. 149 



outer one longer than the inner; the claws long, slender and 

 acute. 



Sub-Order. Accipitres Nocture i. 

 Nocturnal Birds of Prey. 



FAM: STRIGID2E, or OWLS. 

 SUB-FAM: SURNINJE, or HAWK OWLS. 



Genus. Athene. Boie. 



Bill short, partly concealed by the projecting plumes, 

 the sides compressed, the oilmen much arched to the tip, 

 which is hooked and acute; the nostrils basal, lateral and 

 hidden by the frontal plumes. Wings rather long and rounded, 

 with the third and fourth quills the longest. Tail moderate 

 and nearly even. Tarsi longer than the middle toe, and 

 covered with plumes. Toes short, and covered with scattered 

 hairs; the claws long, arched and acute. 



SUB-FAM: B UBONINJE, or HORNED OWLS. 



Genus. Epiiialtes, Keys, and Bl 



Bill moderate, the base concealed and broad, the sides 

 compressed, with the culmen flattened at the base, and curved 

 to the tip, which is hooked ; the lateral margins curved ; the 

 nostrils rounded, placed in the forepart of the cere, and covered 

 by the basal plumes. Wings long, with the second, third and 

 fourth quills nearly equal and longest. Tail short, and more 

 or less even. Tarsi rather long, and covered with short 

 plumes to the base of the toes. Toes long, covered with 

 small scales at the base, and with three or four transverse 

 scales at the tip; the claws moderate, strong and curved. 



Genus. Ketupa. Less. 



Bill large, broad at the base, compressed towards the tip, 

 which is hooked, the lateral margins slightly arched; the 



