128 AFRICAN SCOPS OWL. 



attributable to climate, the second to a difference of 

 sex, but the third distinction, more especially when 

 coupled with the others, is altogether decisive. 



It is almost impossible to give a correct idea, by 

 words, of those intricate mixtures of colours seen in 

 the plumage of the owls and nightjars. On such 

 occasions it appears preferable to single out two or 

 three parts for minute description, and not attempt 

 a laboured account of the remainder. Without, 

 therefore, occupying more space than is necessary, 

 we shall merely observe, that the general cast of the 

 plumage of these two species are so much alike, 

 that we can feel no surprise at their having been 

 mistaken for the same. Yet, even in some of these 

 markings, when closely examined, there is a tangible 

 difference. The inner webs of the greater quills, 

 for instance, on the S. Senegalensis, are light-brown, 

 passing into buff, and marked across with about 

 six; well denned blackish bars, placed in an oblique 

 direction, and extending entirely across the web ; 

 whereas, in S. Europwus, these bars are not entirely 

 more obscure, but they are upon a dull blackish 

 ground, so as to become partly undefined ; the spots 

 on the outer web of the quills are larger, whiter, 

 and fewer. On the first quill there are nine in 

 S. Europceus, and but six in S. Senegalensis. In 

 S. Europceus, the outer half of the greater wing- 

 covers beneath is entirely black ; but in Sene^a^ensi.^ 

 they are entirely whitish, with two slender black 

 transverse bands. The axillae of the shoulders in 

 this are cream colour, tinged with ferruginous, pre 



