421 
Mr. BR. Thompson tells me that it is “ common in parts of 
the deep-wooded valleys of the Paltee and Kotree Dhoons, where 
I dare say the bird breeds. I have frequently heard the 
mournful cries which Jerdon has stated to be uttered by this 
bird. I have also I think heard similar cries uttered by the 
same bird, or by Otus Vulgaris, at Nyneetal and Paoree.” 
As regards geographic distribution out of India, I think a 
careful comparison of specimens will be necessary, before we 
can conclusively assume the specific identity of all the eastern 
Asiatic races. At the same time as my description will show, 
Indian specimens vary very greatly, both in the general tone 
of colour, and in the extent of the white on the scapulars. 
As regards size too, the differences are considerable, and 
although (not having by me any measurements recorded in the 
flesh of this sex,) JI am not sure of the fact, my impression is, 
that the males are very much smaller than the females, not 
exceeding 10°5 inches in length. 
Throughout the plains of the N. W. Provinces, the Punjaub 
and Rajpootana, this species is almost unknown. Once and 
once only I killed a specimen, in a large, jungly grove in the 
Etawah district, when busy hawking insects after dusk. 
No. 81 Bis. Ninox Affinis.* Tyruer. 
THe ANDAMAN Hawx Owt. 
I admit this bird as a distiact species, with some hesitation. 
I am by no means convinced, that Col. Tytler’s bird is really 
white at the extreme tip, with five, regular, transverse, brown bars, darker or 
lighter in different individuals, the basal one of which is more or less com- 
pletely hidden by the upper tail coverts, and which average about 0°4 in 
breadth. The primaries, their greater coverts and the winglet, are generally 
somewhat darker brown than the rest of the wing, but the former are paler 
on the outer webs. All the quills are banded paler, somewhat obsoletely 
towards the tips and on the outer webs, but very conspicuously on the inner 
webs above the tips. The breast, abdomen, sides, flanks, vent and lower tail 
coverts are pure white, the breast with broad, rufous brown stripes, and the 
flanks and abdomen with large, more or less heart-shaped, spots of the same 
colour towards the tips of the feathers. The lower tail coverts, sometimes 
spotless, and sometimes with traces of a few pale brown, arrow-head, 
transverse bars ; tarsal and tibial plumes, mottled white, pale fulvous and 
brown. One or other of these colours in some specimens the white, in others 
the fulvous or the brown greatly predominating. Axillaries, white or pale 
fulvous, more or less imperfectly but broadly barred with brown or pale 
rufous brown. Edge of the wing just above the base of the primaries, 
white. Wing, lining, mingled white, brown, and pale fulvous. 
* Ninox AFFINIs. 
(Lam indebted to my friend Col. Tytler, for the following dimensions and 
description, taken by him from a shin in his museum.) 
