240 DR. J. J. KAUP'S MONOGRAPH OF THE STRIGIDyE. 



pointed with black. The smaller feathers of the wing are similarly coloured ; the interior 

 part of the wing rufous, near the points darker, with six irregular, zigzag, pointed 

 cross-bands, which are more nearly uniform near the ends. The exterior tail-feathers 

 rufous, the others black-brown, with seven to nine irregular, lighter, and pointed cross- 

 bands. The under parts of the body rusty-yellowish, with innumerable zigzag cross-lines 

 and darker shaft-stripes, which are broadest next the furcula. Tibia rufous, not 

 distinctly banded. 



Obs. — In the northern regions there exists a very light-coloured variety, nearly 

 white. This is the Bubo sibiricus, Eversmann (Gray and Mitchell, Genera of Birds ; 

 Susemihl, Vogel Europa's). From Prince Bonaparte we hear that the Bubo virginianus 

 in high northern latitudes also changes to a similar colour. 



The Bubo capensis, Daud. (africanus, Steph.) (Levaill. Ois. Afr. t. 40 ; Sir A. Smith, 

 111. S. Afr. Zool. B. t. 70), is also not a distinct species ; it has not sufficient characters 

 to separate it from the Bubo maximus. 



It is possible that these two varieties are subspecies of the common Bubo maximus. 



5. Bubo africanus, Boie. 



Strix ufricana, Temm. Col. 50. 



Otus africanus, Cuv. 



Bubo maculosiis, Cass. 



Strix maculosa, Daud. 



Otus maculosus, Less. 



Bubo cinerascens, Guer. 



Dilloni, Desm. & Prev. 



Diagn. — Larger than Syrnium aluco. A black vertical stripe bounds the veil. Ear- 

 horns 60-70 mm. long, black, with whitish rusty-yellow bands or spots. Wing 308-365 

 mm long. 



Descr. — The smallest species of the whole subgenus. The whole plumage is black- 

 brown, with numerous white spots. Face and chin white, brown-banded like the side 

 of the neck. The under parts white, with large spots near the furcula, otherwise with 

 broad, black, zigzag cross-bands. Tail on the inner side with four to five broad black 

 cross-bands ; on the upper side with fighter rufous, sometimes with pointed bands. Tarsi 

 nearly white, with irregular narrow brownish bands. 



Obs. — Bubo cinerascens, Guer,, is a very small male of this species ; and Bubo dilloni 

 is an exceedingly large, not very old female, with more rusty-red colour, and broader 

 bands on the under side. It has the tarsi more thickly feathered, and dirty-white, 



with some traces of dark bands. 



africanus. 

 Dimens. — Head .... 77 



Bill from the gape 40-43 



Wing .... 320-330 



Tail 186-188 



Hab. The whole of Africa. 



