112 



also Rutnagherry, South India on the Neilgherries, British Burmah (?) and 

 Nepaul. Whether this species is distinct from Malabaricum or not, has not 

 been quite settled. Much has been written on the various phases of plumage 

 of both these species, and it is argued that this is due to climatic influence. 

 Sharpe, however, keeps the northern and southern forms distinct, calling Mala- 

 baricum a sub-species of radiata. I have not had a sufficient number of speci- 

 mens of the two forms, and hence cannot give an opinion. I follow Sharpe in 

 keeping both separate till some one with enough materials will decide the points 

 raised. 



The Jungle Owlet breeds in the early part of the summer in holes of trees, 

 during April, May, and June. 



The eggs are pure white, round, and measure 1-2 by ro. The young are 

 generally fully fledged by the end of June. It is easily tamed, and in confine- 

 ment will eat readily of raw or cooked meat, insects, frogs, &c. Both adults 

 and young are excessively noisy, and when teased make a peculiar hissing 

 chattering tremulous noise. The cry, according to Mr. R. Thompson, is a 

 too-roo-roo-roo, &c., drawn out to a considerable length, and resembles that of 

 the Common Goanna or Monitor Lizard. 



108. Glaucidium malabaricum, Biy.J. A. S. B. xv. p. 280, 



et. xix. p. 500; Jerd. B- India, i. p. 144, No. 78; Hume, Rough Notes, ii. 

 p. 413; Sharpe, Ibis, 1875, pp. 6, 259; id, Cat. Striges. E. M. p. 2l8. 

 Athene castanoptera, Ely. J. A. S. B. xiv. p. 184. Sir. F. iv. 372; v. 

 201. The MALABAR OWLET. 



Head, neck, and interscapulars uniform lightish rufous with narrow close 

 dusky bars ; wings the same, but the colour deeper and the bands broader ; 

 primaries dark rufous, the first three barred throughout with dusky, the rest 

 mostly unspotted or obscurely banded at the base and distinctly at the tip ; 

 secondaries barred throughout with rufous and dusky ; outermost scapulars with 

 large white spots forming a shoulder patch. Under surface of body barred 

 throughout with rufous and dusky on the breast and dusky and white on the 

 belly and flanks. Vent and under-tail coverts pure or buffy white ; upper-tail 

 coverts dusky barred with white ; tail dusky tipped with white and crossed 

 with nine other bars of white. Under-wing coverts white with a few brown 

 markings near the edge of the wing ; the greater series with dusky tips, tibial 

 and tarsal feathers white, with a few remains of dark bars. Bill and claws 

 black ; irides yellow. 



Length. 7*8 to 8 inches ; wing 4*5 to 4'8; tail 2*5 to 2^9 ; tarsus o - 9. 



Hab. Southern India. Recorded from the Malabar Coast, Cochin, 

 Wynaad, Southern Mysore, Travancore, Madras and the Cone an. 



Habits like the last. 



