d45 
decidedly (taking a series of each species) more rufous tone 
of colouring. J’ammea again, is intermediate in tone between 
these two, (though decidedly nearest to Indica) but has I think, 
re less of pencilling on the upper surface, than either of 
them. 
As regards the colouring of the claws, it should be noted, 
that in some specimens even of Indica, the claws are yellowish 
horny, only slightly tinged on the ridge with pale brown. 
S. Indica is found throughout India, Ceylon, and Burmah, 
and probably as Mr. Blyth supposes, extends throughout the 
Indo-Chinese sub-region. 
——- 
No. 61. Scelostrix Candida. Ticket. 
Tue Grass Owt. 
I have never shot this bird myself, and can find no record of 
its nidification. 
It doubtless breeds with us, and very possibly, in holes in the 
ground. Mr. R. Thompson says— 
“ As I have frequently shot this bird in open grass lands, both 
in the hills and just outside of them, I have entered him here, 
as itis likely we may find his nest too. In the Dehra Dhoon 
years ago, I shot a young bird of this species, either I think late 
in March or in the beginning of April. Strange to say, the young 
bird was flushed out of the deserted hole of a fox-burrow.”’ 
I have nothing to add to Dr. Jerdon’s description, exeept that 
the facial disk is at times strongly tinged with that peculiar 
pinkish or purplish hue, which many examples of the Austra- 
lian 8. Castanops exhibit. 
As regards the distribution of this species, I doubt at present 
its occurring in Oudh, the North-West, Central Provinces, or 
the Punjaub, except within the belt of jungle and forest land 
lying near the base of the Himalayahs. 
As for its supposed occurrence near Hodul, two gentlemen 
permanently resident in the immediate neighbourhood of that 
place, have repeatedly searched all the grass lands, in the 
vicinity, from the banks of the Jumna westward, for miles, with- 
out ever flushing any Owl, but the short eared, or as it is often 
called at home, the Woodcock Owl. (Otus Brachyotus). In the 
Bijnor and Moradabad Terai, I have seen it put up when I 
have been Tiger-shooting, but though I have beaten in my 
time probably thousands of miles of heavy grass, on the banks 
