360 
lays its eges in a hollow tree, sometimes in the holes of rocks 
and occasionally in the deserted nest of some other bird; they are 
round, large, bright and glossy, from three to five in number, 
and are deposited at irregular intervals, the first being sat wpon 
as soon as laid; the young of the same nest differ in consequence 
very considerably in their size,” 
He figures an egg 1-95 by 1:6. 
Yarrell says, “ The egos of this species are large, compared 
with those of either of the three Owls (Otus Vulgaris, O. Bra- 
chyotus, Strix Flammea) last described. They are smooth and 
white, measuring one inch ten lines (1°83) in length, by one 
inch six lines (15) in breadth.” 
Montague states, that it breeds in the hollows of trees and 
sometimes in barns; it prepares very little nest, and at times 
deposits its eggs merely on the decayed wood. ‘Temminck, on 
the other hand, affirms that it lays in the deserted nests of 
Buzzards, Crows and Magpies. 
I cannot understand how our Indian species could ever be 
considered identical with the European Aluco. 
Both species vary a good deal in colour, but the Indian 
species is invariably considerably darker, and less rufous than 
the European. Again the Indian species is very markedly 
larger. ‘I‘he following are dimensions* recorded from fresh 
specimens of fine females of both species. 
Claws straight from Bill sirarehe 
ot =) 
: oO root to point. : 
a | 3 J a ; ; from anterior 
er ey Be ee Pa ete ee es 
S. Nivicolum,.../17°5| 42 |12°15} 7-9 | 2:0} 0:81) 0°73) 0:86) 0:69 0-68 
S. Aluco,........./16°2 | 35 | 11°13) 7:1] 1-9 | 0-67] 0°59) 072/058 0°61 
bands ; all are narrowly white tipped. Large, irregular, white or buffy white 
blotches, on the outer webs of the external scapulars, and the earlier, greater, 
primary coverts. The feathers of the breast and abdomen are mingled pure 
white and buff coloured, with very deep brown, central stripes, and two or 
three, narrow, irregular, transverse, brown bars. Sides, flanks and wing lining 
“(except the greater, lower primary coverts which are mingled brown and 
white) dull, silky buff, more or less imperfectly barred, with brown. ‘Tibial 
and tarsal plumes dull, more or less infuscated buff, irregularly banded with 
narrow, imperfect, dull brown, transverse bars. Lower tail coverts similar 
but paler, and the bars more obscure and further apart. The feathers over 
the eye are whiter, than the rest of the face, forming a broad, ill-defined, 
pale, superciliary band, 
* T am indebted for these measurements to Messrs. C. L. Gordon, and G. 
F. L. Marshall respectively. The European specimen, my correspondent informs 
me, was a particularly fine bird. 
