474 SYRNIA NYCTEA. 



that from one angle to the other. The iris, which is 

 extremely contractile. Is pure g-amboge-yellow ; the 

 thin edges of the eyelids blackish -brown. The mouth 

 is deep flesh-coloured, the tongue paler, the inside of 

 the lower mandible bluish. The plumage of this indi- 

 vidual is spotted in the same manner as that in which 

 I have described the younger birds as being. 



On a level surface, it stands in the ordinary manner, 

 with its body inclined at an angle of about 45°, its head 

 raised, its wings hanging loosely along the sides, one 

 generally having the tip placed over that of the other. 

 On a perch it secures itself in the same way as the eagle 

 owl and other species, by inserting the tips of the claws. 

 When alarmed or irritated, it raises its head, opens its 

 bill, hisses exactly in the same manner as a cat, and at 

 times clicks its mandibles. Occasionally, when dis- 

 pleased, it utters a sharp low cry, which may be ex- 

 pressed by the syllable queek, rapidly repeated. 



