590 
I have seen this bird from various localities in the lower 
ranges of the Himalayahs from Kussowlee to Darjeeling, and 
concur in Capt. Hutton’s remarks to me (in Epist.) that, “it is 
less common in its own haunts” than #. Gymmnopodus, “it fre- 
quents valleys at about 3500 to 4000 feet, and generally near a 
stream of water.” 
It has a low soft call, very different from the bell-like notes 
of LE. Gymnopodus and Glaucidium Brodici, which, as Capt. 
Hutton has proved, are very similar, both being low, sweet, 
whistled ejaculations, if I may use the phrase. 
This bird doubtless occurs in the Hilly ranges of Southern 
India, but all the specimens as yet sent me thence were either 
E. Griseus, or EH. Malabaricus, which latter, it should be noted, 
Mr. Blyth identifies, and possibly correctly, with EL. Lempigi. 
No. 74. Bis. Ephialtes Gymnopodus.* Gray? 
(i. Spilocephalus. Buyrus ?) 
THE Bare-roor Scors Ow1. 
I first received specimens of this species from Capt. Hutton, 
who had named it #. Pennatus, and my reason for believing it 
* Dimensions. Length, 7 to 7:75; expanse, 14°5 to 15; wing, 5°4 to 5°6 ; 
fourth and fifth primaries the longest, the first 1°75, the second 0:9 ; and 
the third 0°35 shorter than the longest; tail 2°75 ; exterior tail feathers 0°4 
shorter than the interior; tarsus, 1°2 ; mid. toe to root of claw, 0°7 ; its claw 
straight, 0°32; hind toe, 0°33 ; its claw, 0'27; inner toe, 0°6; its claw 0°38 
bill straight from edge of cere, 0°4; bill from gape, 0°68, width at gape, 
0°68; height at margin of cere, 0°26; length of cere only, 0°53; closed: 
wings fall short of end of tail by 0°75; lower tail coverts fall short of end of 
tail by 1:1. 
Descrietion. The forehead and a broad stripe over the eye, pale rufous 
white or fawn colour, some of the feathers with a few minute brown spots to- 
wards the tip; loral bristles, pale fawn colour, more rufous towards the tips, 
and black aé the tips. Feathers under the eye and ear coverts pale fawn colour, 
more or less tinged rufous, and freckled and mottled or imperfectly barred 
with brown; the top of the head, back of the neck, back, scapulars, rump 
and upper tail coverts and lesser wing coverts, with a more or less dark, 
rufous, fawn ground, very finely and closely freckled with dark, in some 
almost blackish, brown, the frecklings becoming confluent towards the tips of 
all the feathers of the head, and most of the feathers of the lesser wing 
coverts, and some of those at the back of the neck producing, especially on the 
first named parts, a regularly spotted appearance. An irregular, ill-defined, 
broad, white or yellowish white half collar at the base of the neck; most of 
the exterior row of scapulars, with the outer webs white or yellowish white, 
and tipped dark brown. The tail, rufous fawn, with about seven, broad, 
