Mr. F. E. Beddard on Pliotodilus badius. 293 



XXVI.— On Photodilus badius, with Remarks on its Systematic 

 Position. By Frank E. Beddard, M.A., F.R.S.E., 

 F.Z.S., Prosector to the Zoological Society of London. 



The close association of Photodilus and Striae, which until 

 recently was very generally held by ornithologists, is prob- 

 ably largely clue to Nitzsch's researches into their pterylo- 

 graphy * So very similarly were these Owls found to be 

 organized in this particular that Nitzsch declined even to 

 separate them generically ; they were accordingly referred 

 by him to his genus Hubris. Before Nitzsch, however, Pho- 

 todilus had been judged, on the evidence afforded by its 

 external characters, to be closely allied to Strix. 



External Characters {Pterylosis, Oil-gland, fyc). 

 The pterylosis of Photodilus has been described by Nitzsch, 

 who, as already mentioned, was influenced by the arrange- 

 ment of the feather-tracts to associate Photodilus and Strix 

 together. 



I am not quite clear whether Nitzsch really describes the 

 pterylosis of Photodilus, or whether his remarks under 

 Hybris are only meant to refer to the Barn Owl; that the 

 latter supposition is true appears to be the opinion of 

 Professor Newton. On the other hand, I do not find any 

 distinct statement that the account of the pterylosis of 

 Hybris is meant to refer only to the genus Strix as we now 

 understand it ; if that were so, then Nitzsch's grounds for 

 uniting Strix and Photodilus would be rather slender. 



The pterylosis of Hybris is stated by Nitzsch to be remark- 

 able for the fact that the two branches of each pectoral 

 tract join again behind the sternum; this was not at all 

 clearly the case in my specimen of Photodilus, but until I 

 have had an opportunity of examining Strix I reserve my 

 further remarks upon the value of pterylosis in the classi- 

 fication of the Owls. 



The oil-gland of Hybris is said by Nitzscli to have two 

 minute feathers upon the apex, which cannot be accidental, 

 as they were constantly found. Nitzsch does nut say par- 

 * Pfcerylography, Engl. ed. p. 70. 



