of the Straits of Magellan. 427 



an inch apart from each other of a fulvous white : beneath they 

 are paler but correspond in their markings. The thigh coverts are 

 rufous: the iarsi are covered with rufous downy feathers, extend- 

 ing to the toes, which arc hairy. The bill is light coloured. The 

 Dails are black. The total length is 15| inches; that of the bill 

 1 inch ; of the wing from the carpus to the end of the fourth quill 

 feather, 1 1 inches j of the tail, 7| ; of the tarsi, 2|. 



11.12.13. Three beautiful little Owls, which I also think 

 new. — I am aware that several small spt^cies have been lately 

 described belonging to Soutli America, but none of them agree 

 with these birds. The markings on the tail are the most dis- 

 tinguishing characters. They are from Port Famine. 



-^Strix nana. 



Str.fusco-briinnea,fronte nucha alisquc albo-notutis, guld alba, 

 Cauda fasciis frequentibus rufis notata. 



The face and throat are white ; the feathers of the forehead are 

 slightly marked, those of the nape, breast, and lower part of the 

 abdomen more strongly marked, with white stria;. The upper 

 wing coverts and scapulars are partially spotted with white. The 

 quill feathers have both webs spotted with white at the margin, 

 the spot* on the outer webs being mixed with fulvous : they are 

 paler beneath. The under wing coverts are white. The tail fea- 

 thers have about nine lufous fascice, and an equal number of 

 brown of the same breadth ; the last brown fascia nearest the 

 apex being the broadest and tipped with white. The tarsi are 

 covered with rufous-white downy feathers as far as to the toes, 

 which are hairy. The bill is pale, the ungues i)lack. The length 

 from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail is 5^ inches, of the 

 bill, i incli; of the wing from the carpal joint to the end of the 

 fourth quill feather, 3| inches; of the tail, 2| ; of the tarsi, |. 



14. 15. 16. Sccal/ozcs from Port Famine. — There are three 

 species among these birds, which seem very like our three British 

 species, Jlir. rustica, urbica, and riparia. I can speak how.'ver 

 only from recollection, and must wait for an opportunity of com- 

 •parisou before I can decide the point. 



