STRIGIN^. SYRNIA. 
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iand the last entire ring partitioned. Eyes extremely 
large, directed forwards, immobile ; upper eyelid very 
large. Nostrils rather large or of moderate size, varying 
I in figure. Apertures of ears very large, often furnished 
Iwith elevated dermal margins or opercula, constituting a 
'kind of concha. Legs muscular; tarsus covered with 
! feathers, which are sometimes however destitute of fila- 
ments; toes four, the outer next in length to the first 
jand capable of being directed backwards, the anterior 
I somewhat webbed at the base, all with a few scutella at 
I the end; claws long, curved, tapering to a fine point. 
Plumage very full, remarkably soft ; down very soft and 
copious ; feathers of the face arranged so as to form two 
I disks surrounding the eyes ; a ruff of narrow recurved 
|| feathers ; wings always broad ; the filaments of the outer- 
|| most quill generally separated at the end and recurved ; 
j|tail generally short, always of twelve more or less arched 
[feathers. 
j| Species of Striginse occur in all climates. Some, 
j which approach the Falconinse in form and habits, seek 
I their prey by day, but the greater number are nocturnal, 
■and unable to see in the full light of the sun. They feed 
on quadrupeds, birds, and insects, sometimes on fishes, 
and other animals. The hair, feathers, scales, elytra, 
[and bones, are disgorged in pellets. Their flight is 
buoyant, and, owing to the peculiar softness of their 
plumage, causes little or no sound. They nestle on the 
ground, in hollow trees, rocks, and buildings, laying from 
[two to five roundish white eggs. The young, at first 
covered with light- coloured down, remain till fully fledged. 
Nine species rank as British, but only four are general 
and resident. 
GENUS XII. SYENIA. DAY-OWL. 
Bill very short, strong, with its upper outline decurved 
from the base, the lower convex, the tip trigonal, decurved, 
