61 



The Small-booted Brown Owl. 



This is seen frequently at dusk in company with the Little Bat- 

 falcon, hunting bats. The larger one, or Large-booted Black and 

 White Owl, is strictly a night bird, and found principally in the 

 forests. The next two are likewise strictly night birds. 



The Large Long-legged Strix, or Jumbi Bird, 

 Inhabits hollow cabbage-trees or old and dilapidated houses, un- 

 fortunately that style of habitation in Georgetown, and over the whole 

 country, being at this time the rule, and not the exception. They 

 make a great noise at night, a sort of clack, clack, clack, &c., termi- 

 nating with a harsh, disagreeable and ominous scream. They are 

 held here, as elsewhere, to be birds of ill omen, portending death, 

 wherefore they are called " Jumbi," or Ghost Birds, by the negroes. 



The Little Long-legged Strix 



Is a very handsome little mouse-coloured Owl, which preys upon 

 moths and other night insects as well as small bats. They are mostly 

 seen on the savannahs and in the courida bushes, and are strictly 

 nocturnal. 



It will be perceived that I have not described the Harpya de- 

 structor. This is in consequence of my not having had an oppor- 

 tunity of examining a dead specimen ; a living specimen which I have 

 access to, in the possession of Governor Barkly, being altogether too 

 fierce to take liberties vnth. It has a very owlish appearance, both 

 in its facial disk and soft plumage. I have seen another imperfect 

 skin of a very large Eagle feathered to the toes, with tremendous 

 talons ; both this and the Harpy I hope to be able to describe in a 

 subsequent communication. 



February 25, 1851. 



R. H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair. 



Mr. Gould directed the attention of the Meeting to two Hybrid 

 Birds, concerning wliich he read the following letter, which had been 

 addressed to Mr. B. Leadbeater, F.Z.S. 



" Cottimore, Walton-on-Thames, December 17, 1850. 

 "Sir, — "With reference to the bird which you now have of mine 

 to preserve, I will tell you all which I have ascertained concerning it. 

 It was shot at Henley Park, in the county of Surrey, by the keeper 

 of H. Halsey, Esq., on a part of his property called the Peat Moor, 

 and not far from the Frimley ridges ; a wild tract of country, with a 

 good many black-game upon it. The keeper was shooting pheasants 

 for the supply of the house, and this bird rose on the opposite side 



