STKIX 311 



OMITTING CeiUial Australia, where it is rare, tlie Delicate (Jwl is t,'enerally dis- 

 tributed in fav(jurable situations over the greater portion of the Australian Continent, 

 and is likewise found in the soutliern portion of New Guinea. No more chastely pluma^'ed 

 bird could be found in the Australian avifauna, although it is subject to much individual 

 variation. Typically tlie plumage is as described above, but some specimens are of a deeper 

 orange-buff on the upper parts, which extends, but to a far less degree, to the under parts, and 

 more particularly the cliest and upper portion of the breast. Others have the apical portion of 

 the white feathers of the under surface finely flecked, spotted or strealced with blackish-brown, 

 while some have the feathers of the chest and breast pure silky white, and entirely devoid of 

 markings. The different species of the genus Strix may be chiefly distinguished by their pro- 

 nounced facial disc, which is also found, but to a less extent, in the Harriers of the Order 

 AcciPiTRES, and by their long wings, which extend beyond the end of tlie comparati\ely short 

 tail. 



In New South Wales it inhabits alike the brushes of coastal districts, the contiguous mountain 

 ranges, and open forest lands, and the dry and arid scrub lands of the W'estern District, provided 

 there are plenty of holes in hollow timber sufficiently large enough for it to roost in during the 

 day, or to use as a nesting place. It also frequents wool sheds, lofts, stables and other out- 

 buildings suitable as a resting place during the day and to shelter it from the sun's rays. 



It is chiefly a nocturnal species, coming out to feed when most other birds are going to 

 roost, and preying upon lats, mice, bats, small birds and insects. If disturbed during the day 

 time, as it may be sometimes from its leafy canopy in some thick bush, its presence is soon 

 ]nade known, for it is generally mobbed by all the small birds in the neighbourhood. Although 

 the Delicate Owl is remarkable for the cleanliness and purity of its unsullied plumage, it appears 

 strange that the young ones should usually be surrounded with a mass of filth, consisting chiefly 

 of ejected pellets of fur and feathers, or portions of dead animals brought for them as food. To 

 see this bird to advantage one must look for it about dusk, although one may meet with it late 

 at night, or at any time between sunset and sunrise. A snap-shot photograph of a Delicate Owl, 

 full front, on the wing, sent me in September, 1902, by Dr. Ernest D'Ombrain, while resident 

 at Casterton, N'ictona, well represents a living bird he had, but which sulked and died in about 

 ten days. The pronounced facial disc and well dehned eyes, rendered more conspicuous by the 

 dusky rufous spot in front of the latter, wide-spread wings and tail-feathers, and fore-shortened 

 body, gives it almost a supernatural appearance, reminding one slightly of the standard repre- 

 sentation given of a cherub. There is a beautiful mounted specimen in the .'\ustralian Museum 

 Collection, in perfect plumage, with outspread wings, presented by Mr. C. H. Fitzhardinge, and 

 obtained by him at Dubbo, New South Wales. Of the remaining specimens in the collection, 

 it is noteworthy that although several were obtained close to Sydney, the birds generally are as 

 common in the mountain ranges and on the plains beyond. 



It utters a screeching note, the sound of which it would be difficult to convey any idea 

 of by words or syllables. Stomachs of these birds examined, obtained in the flesh from 

 different parts of New South Wales, contained the remains of small mammals, principally field 

 mice, bats, rats and also small birds and insects, generally beetles. The ejected fur pellets 

 prove, however, that it subsists almost entirely on rats and mice. It is an extremely useful bird, 

 and in common with all the species of Owls is, in New South Wales, included in the schedule 

 of the " Birds Protection Act." 



Mr. George Savidge sends me the following notes from Copmanhurst, on the Upper 

 Clarence River :— " The Delicate Owl (Strix ddicatula) is fairly plentifully dispersed on the flats 

 and maize fields of the Clarence River, and its screech may often be heard at night time. It 

 passes the day in a hollow tree or some thick shady bush ; one roosted off and on for several 

 months in a Mulberry-tree near my house at Copmanhurst. The only nesting-place I have 



