298 Mr. F. E. Beddard on Photodilus badius. 



many other points, that Photodilus presents the closest 

 analogy." Prof. Newton *, however, is of opinion that it 

 should not be definitely referred to the Bubonine group, 

 but that it forms a connecting link between the Strigidse and 

 the Bubonidae. This statement refers apparently to the 

 osteological peculiarities of the skull and to the external 

 characters of the genera ; the latter are more Strigine, the 

 former Bubonine. 



I quite agree with Professor Newton, and also with 

 M. Milne-Edwards, that Syrnium is the Bubonine type 

 which comes nearest to Photodilus. 



In my above-given account of the skull which supplements 

 that of Milne-Edwards, attention is directed to many points 

 in which Photodilus agrees now with Syrnium now with 

 Strix. 



It agrees with Strix : — 



(1) In the absence of the extension over the occipital 



region of the temporal fossse. 



(2) In the comparatively narrow maxillo-palatines. 



(3) In the approximately equal breadth throughout of 



the palatine. 



(4) In the slightly swollen prefrontal processes of the 



ethmoid. 



(5) In the comparative thicknesss of the interorbital 



septum. 



It agrees with Syrnium : — 



(1) In the general configuration and proportions be- 



tween length and breadth. 



(2) In the prominent forehead. 



(3) In the absence of occipital convexities. 



The foot of Photodilus (fig. 3, p. 299) offers certain pecu- 

 liarities which distinguish it from that of all other Strigidse 

 which I have been able to study. At the same time, as re- 

 gards the proportions of the first two phalanges of the third 

 digit, it comes nearer to Strix than it does to Bubo ; these two 



* Article " Owl," Encycl. Brit, xviii. p. 89. 



