Richard Lydekker
was een Britse bioloog, geoloog en paleontoloog. Hij werkte o.a. aan “The Royal
Natural History”, gepubliceerd in 1893
“[The] characteristic “owl-face” is due, firstly, to
the forward direction of the eyes; and, secondly, to a circular disc of
radiating feathers, more or less distinctly developed round each eye, and which
may be bounded by a ruff of closely-set feathers. In common with many diurnal
birds of prey, the owls have a short, stout beak, of which the upper ridge is
strongly curved, and the tip deflected in a perpendicular direction ; at its
base is a cere, usually covered with stiff bristles concealing the nostrils.
The feet are furnished with strong, curved, and sharp claws, and have the
fourth toe reversible.”
Een link naar het boek The Royal Natural History:
https://archive.org/details/royalnaturalhist06lyderich
