BUBO LACTEUS. 71 
approach. Two eggs were lately given to us as the “eggs of the 
large owl,” and probably belong to this bird: they were taken from 
a nest in the rocky sides of the Winterhoek Pass, by Mr. Short, the 
Superintendent of Convicts, to whom we are indebted for many 
good specimens. Eggs pure white, smooth, but not shining: axis, 
2’; diam. 1’’ 9'’’; ends both alike rounded. Mr. Atmore says he 
once took a nest at Bufflejaghts river in a mimosa tree containing 
three eggs. The nest had been used (and probably constructed) by 
a crow the previous year. The bird is common in the Karroo but 
rare about George. 
We took two eges exactly agreeing with those given to us by Mr. 
Short, from a nest on an exposed bank along a wet ditch running 
by the side of a frequented road at the Berg river, on the 21st of 
September, 1869 ; it was about two feet in diameter and composed of 
* soft dry flags and rushes; the hen bird sat very closely for several 
days before we took the eggs and assimilated so closely with the 
dead flags and rubbish on the bank that she was almost invisible. 
Mr. Rickard writes us word that “ a very large owl with many rufous 
markings was shot on the hills close to the town of Port Elizabeth 
many years ago. I frequently saw it when stuffed and have but’ 
little doubt of its being this species.” 
Although confined to a limited district in South Africa, this Owl 
occurs in Abyssinia, for Mr. Gurney (P. Z. 8. 1871, p. 148) proclaims 
that the type of B. dilloni is referable to the present bird. 
General colour umber-brown, the under side being the lightest, 
variegated with irregular spots of dark rufous on the head and 
shoulders, and with bars and spots of deep orange on the rest of the 
body. Wings umber-brown, much varied by pale buff bars of 
irregular width ; each bar is spotted, or speckled brown. Feathers of 
tail yellowish-white, with narrow dark bars. Legs and toes ochreous- 
yellow ; collar brown; spot on the breast white. Facial disk yellow- 
brown, with white wiry feathers near the beak. Length, 23’’; wing, 
167; tail, 97’. 
Fig. Smith, Il. Zool. 8. Afr. pl. 70. 
66. Buzo Lacrevs. Verreaux’ Hagle Owl. 
Several specimens of this noble Owl have come to us from our 
correspondents. Mr. Jackson says it is not uncommon in the 
mountains near his residence at Nel’s Poort. Mr. Arnot has sent it 
