case of Athene chiaradise. 7 



transverse bars, exclusive of the spots, which are conspicuous 

 on the remiges of A. noctua, less so on the rectrices. On 

 the outer web of the first primary in A. chiaradice the white 

 marginal stripe is incomplete, being divided into two slight 

 blotches, and on the next following feathers the longitudinal 

 marginal band, though continuous, shews traces of division, 

 bulging out at intervals representing the primitive and now 

 confluent blotches. On the lower portion of the margin of 

 the inner web of the remiges of A. chiaradite, the white 

 blotches also run together so as to form a longitudinal band, 

 shewing, however, more or less distinct traces of a division 

 into spots, but these are never distinct and isolated, so as to 

 form together transverse bands. 



The tail-feathers are in a similar condition and shew a 

 narrow longitudinal whitish stripe on the edge of the outer 

 web; a broader one with indications of a division into 

 blotches on the margin of the inner web. I fail to see here 

 any divergence in my description from that made of the 

 second specimen of A. cldaradtce by my friend Prof. Mar- 

 torelli, on which supposed divergence he mainly bases the 

 supposition that the two specimens of the black-eyed 

 Civetta are not, as I maintain, perfectly similar. 



The ground-colour of all the upper parts in A. chiaradlts 

 is a fine dark brown, similar to that of the dorsal feathers in 

 Nyctala and Surnia, and totally devoid of that rufous tinge 

 which is more or less prevalent, but always present, in 

 .1. noctua. Again, the light blotches are apparently larger 

 and more numerous, except on the top of the head — this is 

 the ease especially on the scapulars; certainly they are more 

 conspicuous, but then they arc of a pure white and not 

 more or less veiled and tinged with rufous, as in .1. unci mi. 

 In the type specimen of A. cktaradhc, on the upper part of 

 the back, between the scapulars and on the nape, arc traces 

 of the nestling plumage; these feathers are browner than 

 those of the adult garb, but they are not rufous as in 

 A. noctua, anil tin- markings do not differ from those of the 

 adult. 



The ground-colour of all the lower parts in .1. chiaradiee 



