446 Mr. J. H. Gurney on Pel's Owl. 



"Genus 112. 



" ScoTOPELiA*, Bp. Permagna : plumee auricular es nulla : tarsi 

 digitique nudi. 



" Strix Peli, Temm. Mus. Lugd. Figura nulla. Ex Ash- 

 antee. Longit. 22 pollicar. : rufo-cinnamomea nigro undulata ; 

 subtus dilutior, mnculis nigris paucis : tay-sis digitisque flavis." 



This description applies very well to my specimen, except that 

 the transverse markings on the upper part and the spots on the 

 lower part of the bird are not of a true black, but are, more pro- 

 perly speaking, of a dark brown, varying from the other portions 

 of the plumage rather in intensity of hue than in actual dif- 

 ference of colour. My specimen also differs from the descrip- 

 tion in the ' Conspectus' in the colour of the tarsi and feet, 

 which are a dirty white with a tinge of bluish-pink. The talons 

 are a very light born-colour, with a tinge of dull blue. The 

 cere is a bluish lead-colour, and darker than the talons. The 

 bill is similar in colour to the cere, but much darker, except 

 towards the tip. The irides are an extremely dark brown. The 

 bill is very powerful, and more prominent than in most other 

 Owls; the talons are also of remarkably formidable dimensions. 



This Owl, since it has been in my possession, has evinced a 

 tendency to nocturnal habits, seeking the shelter of a hollow 

 tree, with which I have provided it, and seldom feeding much 

 till the approach of twilight. The food which it has preferred 

 since it has been in my keeping has consisted of rats and raw 

 fish, of both of which it partakes freely. 



I understand that the bird is now in its second year. It is 

 very tame, and has evidently been well cared for, as will be seen by 

 the following interesting memorandum, with which Col. O'Con- 

 nor has favoured me respecting it. It will be observed that the 

 Owl is there spoken of under the name of " Nero," which it 

 bore while in Col. O'Connor's possession. The Eagle which is 

 referred to in the memorandum was also most liberally pre- 



* The derivation of this curious generic name I believe to be aKOTOf 

 caliyo and n-eXeta columba (with a covert allusion to the specific name), — 

 although the formidable bill and talons of the bird give it anything but a 

 dove-like appearance. — Ed. 



