409 
more pear-shaped, the spots on the wing coverts and scapulars are 
much larger, the bars on the tail are broader and less perfect, 
more like broad double spots, and the markings of the under 
‘part are much more blotchy and streaky. In Brama the 
whole feet and toes are clad in bristle-like feathers, in Persica 
only the toes, the fect being covered with true feathers like the 
tarsi, and even the toe bristles being somewhat more feather- 
like than in Brama. 
Noctua, no doubt is very close to Persica, closer than the 
latter to Brama, but it is browner and less rufous (while 
Brama is greyer) and the spots on the head and nape (and 
elsewhere) are still longer and larger, and even the toes, may 
be more properly said to be feathered than bristled. 
In Candahar, Capt. Hutton tells us that it is common 
amongst the rocks and ruins. In India it occurs, probably as 
a mere straggler, only on our extreme North Western frontier. 
In Egypt, Mr. Taylor tells us (Ibis, 1867) that it is “ very 
abundant, and equally at home, in town, and country. Breeds 
in March. Flies freely and well in broad day-light. Differs 
very little from the A. Noctua of Kurope.” 
No. 77. Athene Radiata. TIcKELL. 
Tue JUNGLE OWLET. 
The Jungle Owlet breeds in the early part of the hot weather, 
laying in April and May, in holes im trees. Though I have 
twice found nests containing young ones, neither I myself nor 
any of my numerous correspondents, have yet, it would seem, 
obtained the eggs, which, however, we may safely prophesy, 
will prove to be three or four in number, pure white, sphero- 
ovoidal, measuring some 1:25 by 1 or thereabouts. Mr. R. 
Thompson, writing from Gurhwal, says—‘ This species breeds 
in May and June, in holes in small trees. It is very common 
in all the warmer valleys. Young birds are quite fledged in 
June, from three to four young ones at a time. I have 
never seen them living in families as Dr. Jerdon asserts. I 
have always found them either in pairs or single. The males 
of this species are considerably smaller than the females, 
so much so, that one would easily take them to belong to 
another species. The ery is a too~roo—ro0-roo-roo, &e., drawn 
out to a considerable length, and resembling that of the com- 
mon Goanna lizard. This ery is sometimes terminated with 
double or treble notes, resembling somewhat those of A. Brama. 
