VISTS AXD LUGS OF AVSTRALlAiV BISDS. 



47 



Olixervdtiuns. — This species is one of our common Owls, being found 

 across tlie Continent from east to west. The prevailing colour is mottled 

 afi'oyish-brown ;ind white. The large, staring eyes are bright yellow, which 

 blink at you in the da3-light, hence the name signifying winking, or 

 conniving I cunnivens). It is a gootl-sized bird, being in total length 

 tetween 16 inches and 17 inches; wing, llA inches; tail, 7 inches. The 

 •expanse of one measured between the tips of the wings gave 3Si inches. 



The only Australian Owls' eggs known in Gould's day were those of 

 the Boobook, pi-ocured by himself, and of the Winking Owl taken by 

 Gilbert in Western Australia. 



Mr. North says: — "Although the present species is widely distributed 

 over the Australian Continent, but little knowledge has been gained of 

 its nichfication and eggs, and it is due to the exertions of Mr. George 

 Bai'nard and his sons, of Duaringa, Queensland, that I am enabled to give 

 a description of this rare egg, taken at Coomooboolaroo. during September, 

 1886. The nesting place was in a eucalyptus, the entrance of which was 

 through the end of a small hollow spout opening into the main trunk of the 

 tree; here Mi\ Barnard's sons made an aperture with an axe, and the 

 eggs, two in number, were found deposited on the decayed wood near the 

 bottom of the tree. Last year (1890), three more eggs of the same 

 species were taken from this tree, in both instances being perfectly 

 fresh." 



When in the field with Mr. Hany Barnard, October, 1885, we flushed 

 a Winking Owl from a large hollow tree. Instead of eggs we were 

 disappointed to find tlu-ee young birds that nestled amongst bones, fur 

 and filth, at the bottom of the hole. 



35.^NiNox coNNivENS (sub-spccies) PENiNSULARis, Salvadori. 

 CAPE YORK OWL. 



Reference— A.nn. Mus Civ. Gen., vol. vii., p. 992 (1S75). 



(!i(ii/r(ipliiciil Distrihutldii. — North Queensland. 



Nest and Egijs. — Undescribed. 



Observations. — Little or nothing is known of the habits of this 

 northern variety of the Winking Owl. I saw a skin of a fine specimen 

 that was collected at Cape York by Mr. Harry Barnard. 



36- — NiNOx CONNIVENS (sub-species) occidentalis, Ramsay. 

 WESTERN WINKING OWL. 



Reference. — Proc. Linn Sec , N.S. Wales, :r.d ser , vol. i., p 1086. 

 Geographical Distrihutinn. — North-west Australia. 



