Major J. Biddulph on the Birds of Gilgit. 45 



[This Kite is the species named M. major by Mr. Hume, 

 which now, as conclusively shown by Mr. Brooks, should stand 

 as M. govinda (Sykes). — G. F. L. M.] 



24. Syrnium ?^ 



Since I left Gilgit Dr. Scully writes that he has secured 

 a Syrnium which he believes to be new. As soon as he is 

 able to describe it he will do so. 



25. Asio oTus (Linn.). 



A summer visitor. Appears a little after the middle of 

 March, and is tolerably common. 



Dimensions of a female — length 14'5 inches, wing 12, tail 

 6*3, tarsus 1'8. Irides orange. Weight 8-75 oz. 



26. Asio AcciPiTRiNUs (Pall). 



A summer visitor; appears in the middle of April. These 

 have more and purer white on the outer margins of the wing- 

 coverts, and the general tone of the plumage is paler, than is 

 usual in specimens obtained further to the east. A male shot 

 on the 5th May had the testes slightly developed. Length 

 14-5 inches, expanse 41, Aving 12*5, tail 6, tarsus 1-7. Weight 

 5-25 oz. 



27. Bubo turcomanus (Eversmann), 



The only specimen observed, a fine female, was brought in 

 on the 4th January by a native, who had knocked it over with 

 a pellet-bow. 



It corresponds exactly with the original description, except 

 in two points : there is no trace of white in the centre of the 

 feathers of the back ; and the primaries, instead of having the 

 yellow interspaces marked with nothing more than a few 

 minute dots of brown, have dense mottlings on the outer web 

 which are almost entirely wanting on the inner. The dis- 

 tinctive points separating this species from B. ignavus given 

 by Sharpe in his Catalogue hold good, and are well exhibited 

 in this specimen. 



As compared with European and Chinese specimens of B. 



* [Allied to S. aluco, and qiute distinct from S. nivicohun, liodo-s. I 

 hope to liuisli some notes about this interesting Owl shortly. — J. S.l 



