Owl

n. [A-S. ūle, D. uil, O. H. Ger. ūla, ūwila, M. H. Ger. üle, üwel, N. H. Ger. eule, Icel. ugla, Sw. uggla, Dan. ugle, allied to Lat. ulula.] (Ornith.) (a.) A nocturnal carnivorous bird, of a short, stout form, with downy feathers, and a large head. The eyes are prominent, and surrounded by a fringe of stiff feathers; the ears are also large, and similarly surrounded by a movable fringe. Some species have erectile tufts on the head, and are hence called horned owls. The screech-owl, or barn-owl (Strix flammea), is of a rusty red color, mottled with white. The great horned owl is Bubo Virginiana. The snowy owl is Strix nivea, called also harfang. (b.) A variety of pigeon.