132 AFRICAN PASSERINE OWL. 



small and nearly round; the middle feathers, in 

 some, are inclined to rufous, the white spots mar- 

 gined with a black ring. Ground colour beneath, 

 white, each feather with a rufous stripe, broader 

 and more crowded on the breast. Legs, buff colour, 

 white in front. Ears, face, and chin, white, imma- 

 culate, with no band behind the ears. Bill and 

 toes, dirty yellow ; the latter with scattered white 

 hairs. 



Length of the wings, 4 T %, reaching only to the 

 upper tail-covers ; tail, 3 ; tarsus, fa 



