182 STRIGID.E. 



upper part of the breast with an indistinct hrown and white 

 transverse band, below greyish-white with longitudinal spots 

 of clove-brown ; under tail-coverts white ; tail beneath dull 

 greyish-brown, barred with yellow-brown : hair-like feathers 

 covering the legs, and bristles of the toes, white ; the claws 

 black. 



The whole length of this bird is about eight inches and a 

 half. The females are rather larger than the males, and the 

 general colour of their plumage is paler. 



According to Bechstein, in the young birds before the first 

 moult, " the head is of a soft reddish-grey, clouded with 

 white. The large round spots on the back become gradually 

 more marked ; and the reddish-white of the under part by 

 degrees acquires long streaks of brown on the breast and 

 sides." 





