DR. J. J. KAUP'S MONOGRAPH OF THE STRIGID^E. 231 



wings, gives them the appearance of being much larger than they really are. Plate 

 LVI. fig. 8, a, shows a great part of the occiput, a a a, and the end of the lower jaw, 

 g ; d d shows the sclerotica through the skin ; e and /is the meatus auditorius, which is 

 divided on the right side of the head by a membrane, i, into two cavities : this mem- 

 brane, i, can be divided into two separate, fine skins ; /( is the operculum, and b is the 

 hind margin of the exterior ear. 



Compare the left side (Plate LVI. fig. 8, b) : the cavity for hearing is quite differently 

 constructed ; the membrane, i, which divides the right cavity into two, does not 

 divide the meatus, but goes in an oblique direction to the end of the cavity. From 

 this construction the left ear-hole is larger. Such asymmetry is found in no other 

 family of Birds. 



On the operculum we see some series of stiff feathers, like those of the hind margin 

 of the ear. The latter shows the feathers of the middle of the under part directed 

 towards the top of the head, and those of the middle of the upper part directed 

 towards the lower jaw ; where these two series come together they form an obtuse 

 angle. The operculum is covered with series of feathers placed on folds of the 

 skin, which are smallest and shortest next to the eye. The plumage of these species 

 of Otus is very much developed and very soft. The concealed parts of the wing 

 and tail webs are crossed with the finest felt. The first feather of the wing has a 

 more or less dentellated margin on the outer web, like a comb. The skull near the 

 occiput is very large, and can be compared only with that of the Caprimulgin(e, which 

 constitute the raptorial type in the family Hirundinidce. On comparing the form of 

 the bill, the configuration of the wings, and the covering of the toes, we find it neces- 

 sary to divide the species, though small in number, into five diff'erent subgenera, 

 which doubtless will be very considerably increased when the different parts of the 

 earth are fully explored. 



Subgenus a. Pseudoscops. 



Diagn. — "With smaller ear-orifice without operculum, larger and projected bill. Wing 

 short. First wing-feather as long as the tenth. First to fourth wing-feathers feebly 

 emarginated on the inner web. Toes completely naked and scaled, like the greater 

 number of species of the genus Scops. 



1. Otus grammicus, Kp. , 



Ephialtes grammicus, Gosse, B. of Jamaica, t. 19. 

 Diagn. — The tail 1 18 mm. long, with ten small bands on a pointed ground. 

 Descr. — The upper parts like the feather-horns rusty-yellow, with a great number of 

 fine zigzag cross-lines and zigzag shaft-spots, especially on the shoulder-coverts. The 

 wings on the interior side show six to seven cross-bands. Size of Otus vulgaris, but 

 not so elegantly formed. 



VOL. IV. PART VI. 2 L 



