Ge) 
large and strong; large ear-tufts; wings short; irides yellow. 
These birds live as a rule in well wooded districts and can occa- 
sionally be seen either hunting for fish or seated quietly on the rocks, 
at a good height above the river. I remember, seeing this big Fishing 
Owl on more than one occasion perched, above a big land slip 
depression, 1n Sikkim, at midday, after its morning’s feed of fish. It 
was a fine, heavy looking bird, from the distance it was viewed, it 
scarcely looked like an Owl, more eagle-like in appearance, and 
probably would have bee mistaken for one of the eagles, had, one, 
not had previous acquaintance with this bird and its habits. It 
sits erect, 11 a perpendicular position, the white on the underparts 
showing out distinctly, giving it a somewhat weird appearance, as 
it looks grimly dowa at you from the height above, more so in the 
dusk of evening. Colour of the plumage is dark brown with large 
spots and bars ; quills brown with rich tawny bands, the same ou 
the tail. In general appearance flavipes, above is a rich tawny 
colour. 
SUB-FAMILY SURNIINA 
These are the owlets, usually of small size. Birds belonging to 
this group were beloved by the goddess Minerva, for reasons best 
known to her ladyship. We may venture to suggest, that, it must 
have been on account of the uncommonly wise look these birds 
have, on all occasions they are spotted. They generally hide among 
the foliage of trees during the day, though they are quite at home in 
the day light and appear to experience no discomfort. The facial 
disc is not so prominent in these birds ; bill is short and hooked ; 
irides yellow ; tarsus moderate, and feathered to the claws. 
(79) ATHENE CucuLoipEs, Large barred-owlet. You are likely 
of having ample opportunities of making the acquaintance of this 
large Owlet in Darjeeling and the district. It usually hides itself 
during the day amongst the foliage of cryptomeria trees, chiefly on 
account of the aversion small birds have of its presence. Cuculoides 
is oftener heard than seen, its plaintive coo-loo-loo-lo can be heard 
a good distance away. As evening sets in, its more owl-like notes 
come in something like terminations of irritability, or warning to 
small birds, that it is about to hunt fora meal. These terminating 
calls remind us not a little of the screech-owl. In spring, long be- 
fore the dawn, its ceaseless serenading can be heard, not at all an 
unpleasant sound. Then poleocephalus (small cuckoo) takes up 
the tune to its own setting a sort of vich-vick-vick-vick, followed 
after an interval by Sibia’s shrill and sweet fee-aree-arce-aree-aree ; 
a few other early risers join in later ou; as the dawn breaks 
Yuhinas, Green-backed Tits, Willow-Warblers, Hill-Tits and Minlas 
