undescribed Species of Owl. 



303 



which retains portion of its nestling-plumage ; this younger 

 specimen is in the collection of Mr. Seebohm, who has 

 kindly lent it to me for examination, and to whom I am also 

 indebted for calling my attention to the distinctness of the 

 present species from its congener^ Scops elegans. 



Both these specimens are believed to have been obtained 

 in the island of Okiuawasima, in the Central Liu Kiu Group, 

 and both bear labels in the late Mr, Fryer's handwriting, 

 inscribed as follows : — " Rynkyn Naba, June (Aug.), ^86." 



Mr, Seebohm^s specimen of Scops elegans also bears a 

 label in Mr, Fryer's handwriting to the following effect : — 

 ''Rynkyn, Dec. (Jan.), '87," 



I subjoin the principal measurements in inches and 

 decimals of the two specimens of Scops pryeri, and also, for 

 comparison, those of the above example of Scops elegans. 



In the specimen of Scops elegans the 3rd and 4th primaries 

 are the longest and equal, the 5th being decidedly shorter ; 

 but in both those of Scops pryeri the 4th is the longest, the 

 3rd and 5th being equal and only very slightly shorter than 

 the 4th. 



The adult specimen of Scops pvT/eri was moulting when 

 killed, which perhaps accounts for the wing being shorter 

 than in the immature specimen, as the feathers may probably 

 not have attained their full length. 



Scops pryeri is readily distinguishable fi'om Scops elegans 

 by the larger size of the bill, by the tarsi being thickly 

 feathered to the base of the toes, whilst in S. elegans the 

 lower part of the tarsus is bare for one fifth of an inch, and 

 also by the much coarser and less minute character of the 

 vermiculations on its plumage both above and below. 



