Confusion was caused, for, when daylight came, and the Frogmouth was seen sitting in the tree, the Frogmouth was supposed to be responsible for the frequent calls of the previous night. However, some reliable observers, notably Mr. C. H. McLennan, "Mallee Bird," and Mr. T. H. Tregellas, claim that the Frogmouth does call "Mopoke'" occasionally, but the Boobook Owl is the bird that is responsible for the frequent "Mopoke" on calm evenings. The Owls are divided into two families. The members of the first family--the Owls Proper, or Hawk-Owls--have the facial disc almost absent, while in the second family the facial disc is complete. In each, the eyes are directly obliquely forward, and, since they are not capable of much movement, the bird turns its head from side to side. Though mainly nocturnal, Owls are sometimes seen hunting for their prey by day. As they feed mostly on mice, rats, and insects, they are very valuable birds. The feathers are very soft, with a weak central axis, so that no sound is made when flying. They are thus able to approach their prey without giving warning. The Powerful Owl well deserves its name, as it possesses great strength, and is a formidable enemy if wounded. However, Owls are, fortunately, seldom shot at. Like Hawks, Owls catch their prey with and carry it in their feet, unless the feet are required for climbing. One peculiarity of the feet is that the bird can reverse one toe, so that it can have three toes in front and one behind, like most birds, or two in front and two behind, like Parrots and Cuckoos. Although not so strong of flight as the Diurnal Birds of Prey (_e.g._, Hawks), Owls have managed to spread throughout the world, so that they are found even in New Zealand. The different kinds are not easily separated, so most people are satisfied when they have classed a bird as an Owl, though you will probably want to divide them into two groups--the Owls Proper and the Barn Owls. ==== [Page 85] ORDER XVI--STRIGIFORMES, NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY, OWLS. F. 70. BUBONIDAE (11) HAWK OWLS, 280 sp.--47(44)A., 88(74)O., 33(17)P., 48(42)E., 34(16)Nc, 75(61)Nl. 11 44 =175 Boobook Owl= (Cuckoo), _Ninox boobook_, A. Stat. v.c. _timber_ 16 Head, upper, wings, tail reddish-brown; under rufous blotched white; facial disc indistinct, grayish-white edged black; f., larger. Insects, mice, birds. =176 Spotted Owl=, _N. maculata_, S.Q., N.S.W., V., S.A., T., King Is. Stat. r. _timber_ 13 Head, upper brown spotted white; under brown blotched tawny and white; disc indistinct; f., slightly larger. Insects, birds. =177 Winking Owl= (Western), _N. connivens_, A., exc. N.W.A. Stat. c. _brushes_, _wooded gullies_ 16 Upper dark-brown spotted white; tail dark-brown barred grayish-white; under mottled brown, white; disc indistinct; f., larger. Insects, birds.