42 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



and rounded, with the fourth and fifth quills equal and 

 longest. Tail long, broad, and more or less rounded. Tarsi 

 short, strong, thick, and densely clothed with plumes. Toes 

 moderate, densely plumed to the end ; claws long, acute, and 

 slightly curved. 



62. Syrnium Woodfordii, Smith, Zool s. Af., 



PL 71. 



<3 ALL the upper parts very dark reddish umber, variegated 

 with white spots, and sienna- coloured, and white bars. 

 Wings generally yellowish brown, marked with dark bars, 

 and yellowish, white blotches. Collar white, with brown bars. 

 When lying smooth, the breast and belly appear alternately 

 in bars of white and reddish pale-brown. Tail reddish- 

 brown, barred with pale-brown, p Everywhere of a much 

 lighter colour. Length, 13J"; wing, 9"; tail, 6". 



Not common, but has a wide range in the colony. Food small 

 quadrupeds, birds, insects, &c. 



I have received two specimens from the Knysna, procured by the 

 late Mr. Villet in that neighbourhood ; but know nothing of its habits. 



63. Syrnium ChOUCOU, Lath.; Strix Africana, 

 Shaw ; Le Choucou, Le Vail., PL 38. 



THROAT, front of neck, breast, the whole body, lower part of 

 wings, legs, tarsi to the toes, covered with white, thick, silky 

 feathers ; those on the leg are long enough to cover the toes ; 

 the back is almost hidden by the same profusion of fine slender 

 feathers. Top of head, back of neck, and mantle grey, russet- 

 brown. The wing- co verts, of this last colour, are varied with 

 white spots, and each feather is tipped with white. The tail 

 has twelve feathers, two in the centre brown only ; the others 

 are brown, barred white ; under part of tail wholly white. 



Le Vaillant never found the nest or eggs ; but states that his Hotten- 

 tots told him they nested in broken trees. Eggs white. In flight, it 

 constantly utters a short sharp cry. 



Inhabits Outeaiqualand, accoraing to Le Vaillant ; but according to 

 Professor Sundevall, a fabulous species. 



Genus OTUS, Cuvier. 



Bill moderate, mostly concealed by the frontal plumes, 

 broad at the base, and compressed at the sides ; the culmen 

 curved towards the tip, which is acute ; the nostrils lateral, 

 medial, and hidden by the plumes. Wings very long, with the 



