236 DR. J. J. KAUP'S MONOGRAPH OF THE STRIGID^. 



wings rufous-grounded like the tail, with six black cross-bands. The ear-horns are 

 nearly 51 mm. long, black- and rufous-margined. 



Hab. Madagascar. 



Dimens. — Otus mexicanus : head 60, from the gape 34, wing 253-264, tail 142, 

 tarsus 55. O.madagascariensis : head 56, from the gape 32, wing 320 (Puch.), tail 152, 

 tarsus 37-45 mm. long (Puch.). 



Subgenus d. Brachyotus, Gould'. 



Diagn. — With small curved bill and long M'ings. The first wing-feather shorter than 

 the second, and nearly as long as the fourth. The first wing-feather near the end 

 clearly, the second not so distinctly emarginated. The dentellated mai'gin of the first wing- 

 feather not so developed. Toes covered with feathers down to the scales of the nails. 



The type of this small subgenus diff'ers very much in its habits from the other species ; 

 it lives in meadows and fields and amongst reeds. In the northern part of Europe it 

 makes its nest in the reeds. 



9. Otus brachyotus, Boie. 



Strix brachyotus, Gmel. Naum. 



ulula, Gmel. 



Noctua major, Briss. 



Strix cegolius, ulula, et accipitrina, Pall. 



caspia, Shaw. 



■ arctica, Sparrm. 



tripennis, Schrank. 



brachyura. Nils. 



Otus ulula, Cuv. 



Brachyotus palustris, Gould. 



palustris europtmis, Bp. 



Gould, Birds of Eur. t. 40; Enl. 438; Nozeman, t. 33, 34; Frisch, t. 98. 

 Diagn. — Black around the eye. Wing 295-300, tail 150 mm. long. 

 Descr. — The upper parts dark brown, with white and rufous margin-spots. The wing 

 rufous, with three to four irregular broad dark-brown bands. Arm-wings with four 

 ocellated and clouded rufous spots on the outer webs, and three narrow bands near 

 the end on the inner webs. The operculum with white feathers, the last series blackish 

 at the root, with black spots on the top. A black spot on the hinder ear-margins. 

 Tail rufous, with five broad dark-brown cross- bands. The exterior tail-feather, as also 

 the end of the tail, nearly white ; the rufous bands of the middle feathers sometimes 

 ocellated and spotted. The under parts rusty-yellow, with small dark-brown shaft- 

 spots, which are broadest next the throat. 



' An exact comparison of this subgenus with the subgenus Otus and the others, shows at once not the least 

 generic (iitference in its osteology. To prove thi.i, I figure the skulls of the two European species (see PI. LVII. 

 tigs. 1, 2, 3, 4). Subgenera never have anatomical, but only exterior characters. I find this also tlje case in 

 all the other genera and subgenera of the families Falconida and IStrigidce. 



