Head large and round; bill strongly hooked and with a cere which
is more or less hidden by stiffish bristles; eyes large, directed
forward, each surrounded by a more or less perfect ruff of modified,
close-textured feathers; in most species a bunch of elongate erectile
feathers above each eye forming the so-called horns or ear-tufts;
feet strong, claws curved and sharp; outer toe reversible; plumage
soft and fluffy; colors generally various shades of brown, gray,
and rufous and in most species vermiculated and streaked, the plumage
resembling that of the Caprimulgidæ; habits nocturnal, or crepuscular,
and insectivorous; eggs white, nearly globular, usually deposited
in a hole in a hollow branch or trunk of a tree, or in a deserted
hawk's nest.
Families.
a1. Claw of middle toe not pectinate; middle toe longer than inner
toe. ... Strigidæ (p. 249)
a2. Claw of middle toe pectinate on inner margin; inner and middle
toes about equal in length. ... Aluconidæ (p. 271)
Family STRIGIDÆ.
Characters same as those given in the key to Families.
Subfamilies.
a1. Ear-conch not larger than eye and without an operculum; portion
of facial disk below the eye greater than the area above the
eye. ... Buboninæ (p. 249)
a2. Ear-conch much larger than eye and with a large operculum; facial
disk distinct and extending as far above as below the eye. ... Striginæ
(p. 270)
Subfamily BUBONINÆ.
Genera.
a1. Toes without bristles.
b1. Larger; wing, 230 mm. or more, but relatively shorter, falling
short of the end of tail. ... Pseudoptynx (p. 249)
b2. Smaller; wing, 220 mm. or less, but relatively longer, when
folded reaching nearly or quite to tip of tail. ... Otus (p. 252)
a2. Toes scantily clothed with rather stiff bristles. ... Ninox
(p. 260)
Genus PSEUDOPTYNX Kaup, 1848.
Large; ear-tufts moderate; primaries but little longer than
secondaries; plumage full and streaked; legs closely feathered to
the toes; toes naked.
Species.
a1. Larger; wing, 330 to 380 mm.
b1. Smaller and lighter; wing, about 350 mm. ... philippensis
(p. 250)
b2. Larger and darker; wing, about 375 mm. ... mindanensis (p. 251)
a2. Smaller and darker; wing, about 235. ... gurneyi (p. 250)