OIVLS. 
168 
scanty, the last joint and sometimes the whole toe being bare. This species attains 
a length of 20 inches, and is confined to India. Its habits appear to be very similar 
to those of the other species, the nesting-season being from February to April, and 
the eggs usually laid on a shelf of rock near water, although occasionally in a hole 
in the ground. That the eagle-owls are an old group is proved by the occurrence 
of remains of extinct species in the Lower Miocene Tertiary of France; those of 
Indian fish-owl (i nat. size). 
the existing European species occurring in the Pleistocene deposits of Norfolk. 
The metatarsus may be distinguished from that of the snowy owl by its longer 
and more slender form. 
The fish-owls of the Oriental region and Africa form a group 
Fish-Owls. . & i 
distinguished from all other members of the order by the under 
surface of the toes being covered with a number of small spicules, thus presenting 
an admirable holding surface. In most cases the metatarsus is naked. These owls 
are divided into two genera, one of which ( Cetupa ) is confined to Palestine, 
