Bill very short, strong, cerate; upper mandible with the tip elongated
and decurved; lower mandible with the end rounded and thin-edged. Head
extremely large, owing to the wide separation of the tables of the
cranium, roundish, more or less vertically flattened behind,
feathered. Eyes excessively large, with prominent superciliary ridges,
and encircled by series of decomposed feathers. External aperture of
ear always very large, frequently excessive, simple or operculate.
Tarsus short, very short, or of moderate length, always feathered, as
are the toes, of which the outer is versatile, the first shorter than
the second, the anterior free; claws very long, slender, curved,
extremely acute. Plumage very full and soft. Wings long, broad,
rounded, the second, third, and fourth quills longest, the filaments
of the outer more or less enlarged and recurved at the end. Tail
broad, rather short or of moderate length, of twelve feathers.
Œsophagus very wide, without crop or dilatation; stomach very
large, round, somewhat membranous, its muscular fasciculi being placed
in a single series; intestine short and wide; cœca large, oblong,
obtuse, narrowed at the base. Young at first covered with
light-coloured down, when fledged, with the face darker than that of
adults. Eggs white, somewhat globular or broadly ovate, from four to
six. Nests rudely constructed, in hollow trees, on branches, in
buildings, or on the ground.
GENUS I. SURNIA, Dumeril. DAY-OWL.
Bill very short, strong, its upper outline decurved from the base;
lower mandible abruptly rounded, with a sinus on each side. Nostrils
elliptical, rather large. Aperture of ear elliptical, simple, not more
than half the height of the head. Feet strong; tarsi very short or of
moderate length. Plumage rather dense; facial disks incomplete above.
Wings very large, the third quill longest, the first with the
filaments thickened and a little free, but scarcely recurved at the
end. Tail varying in length.