415 
The eggs which, as might be expected, are pure white and 
zlossy, are rather large for the size of the bird. In shape they 
vary from almost perfect spheres to broad ovals and are as 
nearly as possible like those of the little Owl of Europe (<A. 
Nudipes). 
_ The few eggs that I have measured, varied from 1°38 to 1°48 
in length, and from 1°17 to 1°24, the average of six eggs being’ 
1:42 by 1:19. 
Capt. Hutton says, “I have found the nest of this species, 
which I at the time erroneously identified with ‘‘ Mudipes,” in 
the neighbourhood of Mussouree, at elevations of between five 
and six thousand feet. The eggs, three (or four) innumber, round 
and pure white, are deposited in holes in trees, without nest.”’ 
Capt. Cock, writing from Dhurumsalla, says, “ I found their 
nests on three occasions, always in a hollow tree. On two 
occasions there were four eggs in each nest, and the other time 
four young ones. Nests in hollow hill oaks some twenty to 
thirty feet from the ground. There was no lining to the nest, 
just a few dead leaves that might have been in the hollow acci- 
dentally. Eggs on each occasion varied in shape, but each 
nest of eggs retained its own characteristics, thus in one the 
egos were all more spherical, in the other more oval.” 
Mr. R. Thompson writing from Gurhwal, says that this 
species “ breeds in May and June, in holes, in large trees. It 
is quite as common as A. Radiata in these forests, but has not 
the active sanguinary habits of the other. Many breed in the 
oak and fir woods above Khoorpatal. I had the young brought 
once in June some three years ago.”’ 
This species is confined, so far as we yet certainly know, to 
the Himalayahs; it is very doubtful whether the Indo-Chinese 
bird, is really identical with the Himalayan. It seems most 
probable that the Burmese bird either corresponds with the 
Japanese race or is a distinct species, (vide 79 bis). 
No. 79 Bis. Athene Whiteleyi. Buyru. 
THe JAPANESE BARRED OWLET. 
I know nothing of this species, but merely introduce it 
because Mr. Blyth thinks it probable that this and not Cuculoides 
(vera) is the Burmese species, a question that may be easily 
decided by residents in Burmah.* 
* In this case as in all others, I shall always be happy to examine, name, 
and vetwrn any specimens that may be sent me; small birds travel well by 
post, in little tin cases, or even in one joint of a bamboo. 
