THE OWL. 169

gull is intended, but as the majority incline in favour of the
owl, it will be a favourable occasion for giving a short notice
of these singular birds.

The family Strigide may be considered as a kind of noc-
turnal hawk, and Linneus has observed that they differ
from those birds in the same manner that moths do from
butterflies, the one being chiefly nocturnal, the others
diurnal. They have a large head; projecting eyes, which
are surrounded with a circle of loose delicate feathers,
covering the base of the beak; a strong hooked bill ;
crooked claws; the plumage very downy, and often spotted
or barred with shades of brown or yellow. The external
toe possesses the power of being moved either backwards
or forwards; the eyes are particularly adapted for seeing
objects in the dusk, and, iMable to bear the light of the
sun, the owl retires to some lonely retreat, where it passes
the day, and on the approach of night comes forth in quest
of prey, such as small birds, mice, bats, and moths, which
it swallows entire. It builds in fissures of rocks, in old
buildings, or in holes of trees, the female laying from two
to six eggs.

‘The owl family is very numerous, and may be sub-
divided into the three following groups :—the ¢ypical owls