ATHENE ALUCO 497 



Bowna, Arab. 



ad. (N. Africa). Differs from A. noctua only in having the brown 

 coloration of the upper parts much paler, sandy rufous in tone, and the 

 brown markings on the under parts much paler and more rufescent ; soft 

 parts as in A. noctua. Culmen 0'75, wing 6*1, tail 3'1, tarsus 1'25 inch. 

 The male is similar but smaller. 



Hob. Southern Europe and N. Africa to about 14 .N. Lat. 

 in E. Africa; Asia Minor and Palestine, east to Persia and 

 probably Afghanistan. 



In general habits and nidification this Owl does not differ 

 from A. noctua, and its eggs are undistinguishable from those 

 of that species. 



708. EASTERN LITTLE OWL. 

 ATHENE BACTRIANA. 



Athene bactrlana Hutton, J.A.S.Beng. xvi. p. 776 (1847) ; (Sharpe), Yark. 

 Miss. Aves, p. 14, pi. iii. ; Dresser, ix. p. 271 ; Blanf. F. Brit. Ind. 

 Birds, iii. p. 303 ; A. plumipes Swinhoe, P.Z.S. 1870, p. 448 ; 

 (Sharpe), Cat. B. Br. Mus. ii. p. 137. 



Ay-chay, Hay-kis, Kirghis ; Sirin mochnonogey, Russ. ; Kutruz, 

 Mahr. 



ad. (Transcaspia). Differs from A. glaux only in having the legs and 

 the toes to the base of the claws densely feathered. Culmen 1 - 0, wing 6*45, 

 tail 3'3, tarsus 1'35 inch. 



Hal. Transcaspia, Afghanistan, Turkestan, Mongolia, Dauria, 

 and China. 



In habits this species is said to resemble A. noctua. In 

 Mongolia it frequents the clayey banks of brooks and rivers, 

 and the open steppes. Mr. Zarudny, who has found its nest, 

 describes the eggs as being spherical in shape, white in colour, 

 and glossy in texture, measuring T3 to 1'38 by I'Ol to 1*14. 



ALUCO, Fleming, 1822. 



709. BARN OWL. 

 ALUCO FLAMMEUS. 



Aluco flammeus (Linn.), Syst. Nat. i. p. 133 (1766) ; (Naum.) i. p. 483, 

 Taf. 47, fig. 2 ; (Hewitson), i. p. 61, pi. xviii. fig. 1 ; (Gould), B. of 

 E. i. pi. 36 ; (id.), B. of Gt. Brit. i. pi. 28 ; Newton, i. p. 194 ; 

 (Dresser), v. p. 237, pi. 302 ; (Sharpe), Cat. B. Br. Mus. ii. p. 291 ; 



K K 



