DR. J. J. KAUP'S MONOGRAPH OF THE STRIGID/E. 237 



Hab. This species is spread over the whole world, with the exception of Australia. 



Obs. — I have seen an immense number from all parts of the world, but can find no 

 difference. I am not able to distinguish the 0. galapagoensis of Gould, or the Brachy- 

 otus palustris americanus, Bp. The only specimen which I have seen of the 0. galapa- 

 goensis is a little larger, and the upper tail-coverts have more rusty-yellow round spots 

 and zigzag stripes. 



I cannot find, amongst a very great number of specimens from ail parts of America, 

 any material difference. 



Dimens. — Head 60, breadth 38 {Otus vulgaris 41), from the gape 34, wing 300, tail 50, 

 tarsus 46, middle toe 31 mm. long. 



Subgenus e. Phasmaptynx. 

 Diagn. — The bill small and curved. Wings long. First wing-feather not so long as 

 the fifth. First to third wing-feathers beginning at two inches from the end more 

 or less emarginated. The first wing-feather, as in 0. brachyotus, very short and dentel- 

 lated. Toes thinly feathered. 



10. Otus capensis, A. Smith. 

 lU. S. Afr. Zool. t. 67. 



Descr. — Upper parts ash-brown, with more or less indistinct zigzag bands. Arm- 

 wings with rusty-yellow end-margins. The hand-wings rufous, with dark-brown bands. 

 The inner side of the wings very variable. The tops of the wings have a large emar- 

 ginated spot. Through this spot on the hand-wing a black stripe runs over the 

 emarginations. Other specimens show three black bands. The four middle tail- 

 feathers are brown, on the exteriors more white with five cross-bands. Breast ash-brown ; 

 the other under parts with brownish, pointed, arrow-like spots and cross-bands, and 

 broad white margins before the spotted end-band. 



Dimens. — Head 67, bill from the gape 29, wing — ?, tail 153, tarsus 58, middle toe 

 25 mm. long. 



Hab. Whole of Africa. I have received specimens from Tunis and Algeria, and 

 there is no perceptible difference in them. 



Genus HI. Bubo, Cuv. 

 a. Lophostrix. b. Bubo. c. Ketupa. d. Urrua. e. Pseudoptynx. 

 Diagn. — Large Owls with ear-orifice as large as the diameter of the eye, without 

 operculum. Feather-horns more or less distinct. The skull very much enlarged ou 

 the occiput. 



The greater number of these are large birds. They are spread over the whole worlcl, 

 with the exception of Australia. 



They must be divided into five different subgenera, of which the greater part are 

 erroneously considered as true genera by the later authors. This is a very grave fault. 



