NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



with brown and white. Feathers on toes white. Iris bright 

 yellow. Bill, cere, and claws black. 



Lengthy 20.0 ; wing, 12.7 ; tail, 7.5. 

 Female resembles male. 



Distribution, — Distributed throughout Southern Africa up 

 to the Congo. In South Africa it is by far the commonest 

 owl, being found in nearly all the districts. 



Habits. — This owl occurs all over the country, and is not 

 confined to any particular district, being found as plentifully 

 in forests as on open plains, and in wild as well as cultivated 

 areas. Their diet consists mainly of rats and mice. Their 

 cry is a " hoo-hoo," which is very clearly marked. When 

 wounded or disturbed they make a curious snapping noise by 

 opening and shutting their beaks. When they appear during 

 the day they are mobbed by the smaller birds, the drongos and 

 bulbuls being the leaders in these attacks. They do not build a 

 nest, but just lay their eggs in a slight depression on the ground. 

 The eggs, usually 2 in number, are smooth, rounded, and 

 white, and are laid usually between October and November. 

 They measure roughly 2.0 by 1.65. 



Grass Owl {Strix capensis). (Vol. II., p. 132.) 



Description. — Female : above very dark brown, with a 

 few white spots here and there at tips of feathers. Coverts 

 along radial edge of wings buff. Central tail feathers black, 

 outer ones with increasing amounts of white. The facial disc 

 is pure white. Facial ruff is brown above ; buffy-white with 

 brown tips at sides and below. Lower surface white, slightly 

 buff on breast, and covered with numerous spots of brown. 

 Toes bare. Iris black. Bill white, yellowish at base. Legs 

 and toes dirty yellow. 



Length, 15.5 ; wing, 12.25 J t-^il 4-55- 



Distribution. — The grass owl is found chiefly in the eastern 

 and, southern half of South Africa, and extends north to 

 Nyassaland. 



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