xlviii 
INTRODUCTION. 
Genus Athene. 
This section of the Owls comprises many species, distributed over Europe, India, and other portions of 
the Old World. By modern systematists these have been subdivided into no less than fifteen subgenera, the 
particulars of which need not be detailed here, inasmuch as we have only to deal with the single species 
which visits our country. 
44. Athene noctua Vol. I. PI. XXXVII. 
Little Owl. 
A very common bird in France and other parts of Europe. In England it may have and doubtless has 
occurred more frequently than has been supposed ; but it is a bird which cannot be easily detected, 
however diligently it may be searched for. Numerous instances of its occurrence are on record ; and 
besides the nest mentioned by Hunt as having been taken at no great distance from Norwuch, another Is 
reported to have been met with in the New Forest, and the young taken and reared at Harrow. 
ORDER INSESSORES. 
Family CAPRI MU LGIDtE. 
Members of this great family of nocturnal birds frequent the warmer portions of almost every part of the 
globe, and are nearly as varied in structure as they are numerous in species. In the New World the cave- 
loving Steatornis and the long-tailed Hydropsales are among the most conspicuous of the forms inhabiting 
that section of the world, as the great Podargi and the eared Lyficornithes are of those inhabiting the 
Old. Their food mainly consists of insects and their larvae, with occasionally fruits and berries. 
Genus Caprimulgus. 
The birds of this restricted form are confined to tlie Old AVorld, over the greater portion of which they 
range. Two are found In Great Britain. 
45. Caprimulgus europ.eus 
Nightjar or Goat-sucker. 
The Nightjar, Goat-sucker, or Churn-Owl, by 
Vol. II. PI. I. 
which trivial names this species is known, is a true migrant. 
