on Birds from Shendi, Sudan. 27 



Tlie differences between tlie Tropical Barn-Owl {S. f. 

 macttlata), the true S. flammea, and the West-European 

 S. f. kirchhoffi have been fully discussed by Reichenow {' Die 

 Vdgel Afrikas/ i. p. Q7Q, 1901). 



Barn-Owls were fairly common at Shendi ; we often heard, 

 but seldom saw, them. They frequented the ruins of the old 

 town of Shendi. Nos. 423, 424, 427, and 428 were obtained 

 at Kabuj^hea, about forty miles to tlie north, where we also 

 obtained young birds in down on March 23rd. 



75. Bubo ascalaphus desertorum Erlanger. 



294 c? , 409 S, 344 pullus. 



These specimens from Shendi agree absolutely with 

 specimens of B. a. desertorum (Erl. Orn. Monatsb. v. p. 192, 

 1897) in the Tring Museum from Gabes, Tunis. 



This very handsome Eagle-Owl was found on two isolated 

 rocky hills, Gebel Margel and Gebel el Lahemer, about ten 

 miles east of Shendi. There appeared to be only one pair 

 of Owls on each. They were as often found sitting on the 

 sunny as on the shady side of the hill during the day-time, 

 and were always very much on the alert, flying away 

 without hesitation if approached too closely. 



On March 13th we found a nest containing two young 

 birds in down on the south side of Gebel Margel. It 

 was merely a depression \\\ the midst of large blocks of 

 stone, and was fully exposed to the heat of the sun ; at mid- 

 day the rocks became so hot that it was impossible to touch 

 them with the hand for any length of time. Round the 

 nest were large numbers of pellets, containing the hair and 

 bones of hares, mice, and jerboas. 



7Q. PisoRHiNA LEUcoTis (Tcmm.) . 



325 c?, 76 (J juv., 342 juv. (sex?), 343 juv. (sex?), 

 430 ? juv., 431 ? juv., 432 S juv. 



This little Owl was not uncommon at Shendi. Some of 

 our specimens were found in trees, and some in the ruins of 

 the town of Shendi. 



On March 22nd a nest containing three almost fully- 

 flcdgcd young birds was found in a deserted well. 



