2 6 
prey,” and they have usually been classed as a family, 
Strigidoe, of the order Raptores. 
Recent observations on the anatomy of birds have, how¬ 
ever, shown that the resemblance is but a superficial one, and 
is slight in comparison to the differences in internal struct¬ 
ure, and the owls are now regarded as a distinct order Striges. 
The hawks, eagles, and vultures together compose the order 
Accipitres. 
The owls are mainly of nocturnal habits, their eyes being 
adapted in structure to see in the dark, and the soft, downy 
plumage with which they are generally clothed, enabling 
them to steal with noiseless flight upon the small birds, mam¬ 
mals, and reptiles which form their food. 
They range generally throughout the world, differing some¬ 
what in habit, and greatly in size, and number nearly two 
hundred species. 
The American barn owl, in rural districts commonly known 
as “ Monkey-faced Owl,” is one of the most curious of the 
group. It abounds in the Southern States, and is frequently 
found as far north as New Jersey, but its habit is so strictly 
nocturnal that it is little known to the world at large, even 
where the bird is common. Owls closely similar are found 
in almost all parts of the earth. 
The large white or snowy owl is common to the more north¬ 
ern parts of both hemispheres. It moves somewhat south in 
winter, rarely getting below the latitude of New York. 
The coloration of the owls is generally indistinct, owing to 
the downy nature of their plumage, and is subject to ah infi¬ 
nite amount of variation. 
A number of burrowing owls (Speoyto cunicularia ), are 
usually to be seen in one of these cages. These little birds 
abound on the great plains wherever prairie dogs or gophers 
are plentiful, their favorite habitation being the deserted 
holes on the outskirts of the villages. They are found also 
in South America. 
At times certain hawks are kept here. Their description 
-will be found on page 61, under Birds of Prey. 
No. 3.—THE MONKEY HOUSE. 
The building formerly occupied by the monkeys being 
contracted in size and ill-ventilated, was for many years the 
cause of complaint from visitors and of annoyance to the 
