:280 ASIONID^E. 



Subfamily BUBONIN^. 



Ear-orifice not exceeding the eye in size; no operculum. Facial 

 disk generally ill-marked, and never extending as far above the 

 eye as below ; ruff nearly or quite obsolete. 



This subfamily is much larger than the last two, and contains 

 several Indian forms, varying in size from the great Eagle-Owls 

 to species scarcely larger than a Skylark. 



Key to the Genera. 



■a. Aigrettes well developed. 



a'. Size large ; wing exceeding 13. 



a". Tarsi partly or wholly naked Ketttpa, p. 280. 



b". Tarsi feathered throughont. 



a^. 1st quill longer than 7th ; irides yellow. Bubo, p. 28.3. 

 b^. 1st quill shorter than 10th ; irides brown. Huhua, p. 287. 



b'. Size small ; wing under 8 Scops, p. 290. 



b. Aigrettes small or wanting. 



c'. Cere not inflated, colour mainly or wholly 



white Nyctea, p. 289. 



d'. Cere inflated ; colour brown or rufous, 

 c". Plumage more or less spotted vrith white 



above Athene, p. 300. 



d". Plumage barred above (in Indian forms). Glaucidium, p. 304. 

 e". Plumage uniformly brown above (in 



Indian forms) Ninox, p. 309. 



Genus KETUPA, Lesson, 1831. 



The Fish-Owls comprise three species, all occurring within Indian 

 limits. They are large and powerful birds, with the tarsus partly 

 ■or wholly naked and granular, much like that of the Osprey, and 

 the soles of the feet covered with prickly scales. The claws are 

 large, well curved, each with a sharp cutting-edge beaeath, and the 

 middle claw with a sharp keel on the inside also. 



Aigrettes are present, long aiid pointed. The bill is large and 

 strong. The facial disk is ill-marked, especially above. The 

 wings are rounded, and do not reach the end of the tail, 4th quill 

 generally the longest, 3rd and 5th subequal ; tail moderate. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Tarsus naked behind and usually more than 



halfway up in fi'out. 

 a'. Lower surface with shaft-stripes and finely 



barred across throughout K. zeylonensis, p. 281. 



b'. Lower surface with shaft-stripes, but without 



cross-barring K. javnnensis, p. 283. 



b. Tarsus partly feathered behind, and usually moi'e 



than halfway down in fi'out K.Jlavipes, p. 282. 



