BARE-TOED DAY-OWL. 419 



white. The throat is white, and a band of that colour curves 

 upward on each side to the ear ; on the fore-neck is a brownish 

 belt, and beneath it a white space ; the general colour of the 

 rest of the lower parts is yellowish- white, each feather with 

 a broad longitudinal band of brown ; the abdominal and sub- 

 caudal feathers unspotted ; the tarsal yellowish, with some faint 

 brown spots externally. 



Length to end of tail 10^ inches, to end of wings 10; wing 

 from flexure 61 ; tail 3; bill along the ridge ^§, along the 

 edge of lower mandible j% ; tarsus 1 5 ; first toe j% , its claw 

 1% ; second toe j%, its claw j''^ ; third toe j^, its claw |*g ; 

 fourth toe i\, its claw j^. 



Female. — The female resembles the male in colour, but is 

 considerably larger. I have not however examined a sufficient 

 number of specimens to be able to speak decidedly on this 

 subject. 



Variations. — In the few individuals which I have seen, 

 there was considerable difference in the feathering of the tarsus, 

 that part being in one feathered to the toes, but in another hav- 

 ing its lower third as bare as the latter organs, that is, covered 

 only with shafts. Similar differences I have seen in the Bur- 

 rowing Owl of North America, the tarsal feathers becoming 

 by being worn reduced to the shafts. The tint of the upper 

 parts varies from umber-brown to wood-brown, becoming 

 lighter toward the period of renewal. 



Habits. — This Owl is of very rare occurrence in Britain, al- 

 though instances are mentioned of its having been met with 

 from Devonshire to Northumberland. It is said by M. Tem- 

 minck to be found in almost all the countries of Europe, in 

 places where there . are old houses or deserted towers, and to 

 be common in Holland and Germany, but not to extend north- 

 ward beyond the 55th degree of latitude. Not having seen it 

 alive, or met with a recent specimen, I cannot speak of its 

 manners or internal structure. The former are described as 

 similar to those of the smaller owls in general. It feeds 



