62 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



Family STEiaiD-S. 



Genus STRIX, Linn. 



In my remarks on the Raptores generally, I have mentioned 

 that the birds of that order are but feebly represented in 

 Australia as compared with their numbers in other parts of 

 the globe ; and I may now state, with regard to the Owls, 

 that they are even less numerous than the Falcomd(B\ for, 

 according to the present state of our knowledge, there appear 

 to be but two, or at the most three forms in the country — 

 Strix, Ilieracofflaux, and Spiloglaux. The first of these genera 

 comprises the true nocturnal Owls ; the second the huge birds 

 I have characterized under the specific appellations of strenua, 

 rufa, and connivens; and the third the smaller species, 

 macidaia, marmorata^ and boobook. 



While as a general rule other great countries are only 

 inhabited by a single species of the restricted genus Strix, 

 the fauna of Australia comprises no less than four, all of 

 which appear to be necessary to prevent an inordinate increase 

 of the smaller quadrupeds which there abound. 



Sp. 28. STRIX CASTANOPS, Gould. 



Chestnut-faced Owl. 



Strix castanops, Gould, in Proc. of Zool. Soc, part iv. p. 140. 

 Dadylostrix castanops, Kaup, Monog. Strig. in Jard. Cont. to Orn. 

 1852, p. 119. 



Strix castanops, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. i. pi. 28. 



Tasmania and probably the brushes of the opposite coasts 

 of Victoria and New South Wales are the native countries of 

 this Owl, a species distinguished from all the other members 



