Volume 20, Plate XXX / Ornithology (Birds)

Naked-Footed Night Owl

Scotophilus nudipes

Distinguished from Tengmalm’s owl by its imperfect facial disk and ruff and small ear opening, this little owl bears narrow stiff quills adapted for swift flight rather than noiseless gliding, with lengthened tarsi feathered only to the toe junction. Its plumage somewhat resembles the preceding species, the disk greyish white mottled with liver brown; the name passerina has long been carelessly applied to several small owls on account of size alone.