114 
BIRDS OF PREY. 
OWLS. (Strix. Lin.) 
In these birds the bill is short, compressed, and curved from its 
origin ; the base surrounded by a cere, and covered wholly or in part 
by bristly feathers. Head large and very much feathered; the face 
surrounded by a sort of rigid plumy collar. Nostrils lateral, com- 
ing out upon the anterior edge of the cere, rounded, open, and con- 
cealed by the incumbent setaceous feathers. Eyes very large, di- 
rected forwards ; the iris brilliant. Legs and feet often covered with 
feathers to the very nails ; the toes entirely divided to their base ; 
the exterior toe capable of being brought round. Nails strong, sharp, 
and very retractile (so as to secure very small prey). Wings some- 
what pointed ; the 3 first primaries generally provided with loose 
recurved barbs on their outer edge ; the first primary short ; the 2d 
not extending to the extremity of the 3d, which is the longest, 
§ 1. With the bill curved from the base , 
Subgenus. — Surnia. 
With the opening of the ears oval, of moderate size, and without 
operculum m^over ; the disk round the face rather small, not very 
distinct, ancBRnnposed of slender feathers. These are somewhat 
allied to the Hawks. 
• t Head without tufts or feathers. 
Feathered to the claws ; outer webs of the primaries not recurved. 
With the tail extending beyond the wings. The North American 
species are nearly all diurnal. 
