420 Mr, C. F. M. Swynnerton on the 



old it still differed from the adult specimens in my collection 

 in the larger size of the triangular white markings of the 

 upper surface, and the fact that the lighter bars and markings 

 were throughout paler and more conspicuous. In these adults 

 the bill, cere, and feet were Naples yellow, the former with 

 a duskier commissure ; the soles brighter, almost gamboge. 

 The opening of the ear and the bare skin round the eye 

 were both pale Naples yellow, the latter tinged with green. 

 14'25 (in two cases) and 14-8 inches represent the length in 

 the flesh of three specimens recently measured. 



215. Bubo maculosus. Spotted Eagle-Owl. 



Singuni : ''Isikova." Chindao : "Ikwikwi" (the latter 

 name appears, however, to be often used with special reference 

 to Bubo lacteus). 



Kb., P. I heard this Owl calling on the Kurumadzi River 

 in August and noted it again on the Lusitu in September, 

 and at Arucate on December 5th, 1906, as well as at frequent 

 intervals on the hills round Cliirinda. I have had one of 

 these Eagle-Owls in captivity for more than eighteen months. 

 It was winged when harrying a poultry-yard, and my Kafirs 

 were at first in deadly terror of it on account of their 

 superstitions in connexion with these large Owls. Certainly 

 when endeavouring to frighten an intruder it is most fierce 

 and ominous-looking, forming a very great contrast to my 

 Syrnium woodfordi. It has now lost much of its old fierce- 

 ness of demeanour towards myself and others to whom it 

 has become accustomed ; but if a stranger approaches the 

 cage it ruffles up its feathers in quite its old fashion, dances 

 slowly first on one foot, then on the other, snaps its bill 

 repeatedly and loudly and hisses, swells its throat-feathers in 

 and out, at the same time moving its tongue backwards and 

 foi'wards, while it glares steadily at the intruder in the most 

 ferocious manner with its great yellow eyes. Usually it 

 remains stock still on its perch all day with its eyes half 

 closed and its feathers smoothed down, looking like a bit of 

 old weathered branch; but it is very vigilant, and if a dog 

 passes, or especially my monkey (towards which it has 



