STRIX CAPENSIS. 81 
ochraceous, the outer feathers having a blackish mark about half 
way up. Total length, 14 inches; wing, 12:4; tail, 6°5; tarsus, 
1:75. 
Adult female.—Of the same general appearances and markings as 
the male, but always much deeper colour, the under surface being of 
arich ochre. Bands on tail, six on the middle, and four or five on 
the outer feathers. Total length, 15°5 inches; wing, 12°5; tail, 
6°7; tarsus, 1°85. 
Fig. Gould, B. Gt. Br. pl. xxxi. 
75. STRIxX CAPENSIS. Sovth African Grass Owl. 
Sir A. Smith says that this Owl is found about Table Mountain, 
from which locality we have also obtained one pair ; but the species 
is rare, as but few other examples have occurred to us. 
Mr. Atmore writes: “Blanco, May 25th, 1864. A boy reports 
an Owl’s nest in a vley near this. It was the female of this nest pro- 
bably that Tom saw in the clutches of the Crested Eagle. May 26th: 
Have visited the Owl’s nest and shot the male, (Stria capensis) ; 
found three large young ones in the nest just getting quill-feathers, 
so they breed early. It is not a rare bird here, but difficult to raise. 
It inhabits the wide palmiet vleys.”’ Mr. Henry Bowker obtained this 
species at Masura in Moshesh’s country and Captain Shelley shot one 
near the Umgeni river. Mr. Ayres has also procured it in Natal, as 
well as in the Transvaal territory, where he has found them inhabit- 
ing the long rushes in the swamps surrounding Potchefstroom, but 
not plentifully. Mr. T. E. Buckley also procured a male in the 
Transvaal, on the 8th of June, 1873; it must therefore be widely 
distributed. 
Upper parts dark brown; on each feather a white spear-shaped 
spot, larger and more distinctly marked as they near the tail. Shoul- 
ders and inside of wings orange, spotted with brown. Sides of neck 
and under parts pale reddish-orange, each feather with a light brown, 
arrow-headed spot on its tip. Facial disk vinaceous, near the 
eye brownish-black, surrounded by a ring of white feathers, tipped 
with brown. Tail paler above, here and there barred with brown ; 
below, nearly white; “eye black,” (Ayres). Length, 17’’; wing, 
13}’’ ; tail, 5’’. 
Fig. Smith, Ill. Zool. S. Afr. pl. 45. 
