BIRDS OF UPPER PEGU. 37 



Taking the dimensions of these three females, there can, I 

 think, be no doubt that the Thayetmyo race is considerably 

 smaller than the Indian ; but I cannot say that it seems to me to 

 be entitled to specific separation. The dimensions of the smallest 

 P. cristata, Cuv., from India that I have ever measured, were : 

 Length, 26 ; expanse, 55; wing, 1 575 j tail, from vent, 11*5; 

 tarsus, 2*19 ; bill, from gape, 1*63 ; and this was quite an abnor- 

 mally small bird. 



59. — Elanus melanopterus, Baud. 



Captain Feilden notes the occurrence of this species at 

 Thayetmyo, Mr. Oates, however, appears only to have procured 

 it from the Arracan Hills. 



60.— Strix indica, Blyth. 



Specimens from Captain Feilden and Mr. Oates are precisely 

 identical with Indian specimens. Mr. Oates says : " Very com- 

 mon in the Thayetmyo Cantonment, occupying the space between 

 the ceiling and the roof of the wooden barracks. It is not 

 found, I think, in thick jungles, nor, as far as I know, far away 

 from the larger villages. 



" A female measured : Length, 14*75 ; expanse, 38 ; tail, from 

 vent, 4-8 ; wing, 11*3; bill, from gape, l"7j tarsus, 2 - 7; cere, 0" 6." 



62.— Phodilus? nipalensis, Gray,? P.badiuSj-Hbrs/: 



Mr. Oates does not appear to have met with this species. 

 Captain Feilden says : " I saw a specimen of this bird killed by a 

 gunner with a stone, but could not obtain it ; it was in the pos- 

 session of Captain Penny, r. a. It differed in size from 

 Jerdon's description, measuring : Length, 12 # 5; tail, 4; tarsus, 3. 

 The bay on the head was mixed with a few buff feathers, 

 which made me suppose that the whole head of the immature 

 bird might be buff.-" Jerdon's description was, I think, taken 

 from Malayan specimens, which seem to be similar to the 

 Ceylon bird, and which are doubtless the true badius. It is im- 

 possible for the present to be certain whether this Thayetmyo bird 

 was badius, or nipalensis. 



65 Us.— Syrnium seloputo, Mors/. S. pagodarum, 



Tern. 



Captain Feilden says : " I shot a pair of Mottled Wood Owls 

 differing from the Indian ones, but have unfortunately sent them 

 home." It may be considered rash to assume that these Owls 

 belong to this species; but Mr. Strettell has sent me a specimen of 

 this species, corresponding accurately with Temminck's figure, 



