DR. J. J. KAUP’S MONOGRAPH OF THE STRIGID#. 231 
wings, gives them the appearance of being much larger than they really are. Plate 
LVI. fig. 8, a, shows a great part of the occiput, aaa, and the end of the lower jaw, 
g; dd shows the sclerotica through the skin ; e and f is the meatus auditorius, which is 
divided on the right side of the head by a membrane, i, into two cavities: this mem- 
brane, 2, can be divided into two separate, fine skins; / is the operculum, and 6 is the 
hind margin of the exterior ear. 
Compare the left side (Plate LVI. fig. 8, b): the cavity for hearing is quite differently 
constructed; the membrane, 7, which divides the right cavity into two, does not 
divide the meatus, but goes in an oblique direction to the end of the cavity. From 
this construction the left ear-hole is larger. Such asymmetry is found in no other 
family of Birds. 
On the operculum we see some series of stiff feathers, like those of the hind margin 
of the ear. The latter shows the feathers of the middle of the under part directed 
towards the top of the head, and those of the middle of the upper part directed 
towards the lower jaw; where these two series come together they form an obtuse 
angle. The operculum is covered with series of feathers placed on folds of the 
skin, which are smallest and shortest next to the eye. The plumage of these species 
of Otus is very much developed and very soft. The concealed parts of the wing 
and tail webs are crossed with the finest felt. The first feather of the wing has a 
more or less dentellated margin on the outer web, like a comb. The skull near the 
occiput is very large, and can be compared only with that of the Caprimulgine, which 
constitute the raptorial type in the family Hirundinide. On comparing the form of 
the bill, the configuration of the wings, and the covering of the toes, we find it neces- 
sary to divide the species, though small in number, into five different subgenera, 
which doubtless will be very considerably increased when the different parts of the 
earth are fully explored. 
Subgenus a. Pseudoscops. 
Diagn.—With smaller ear-orifice without operculum, larger and projected bill. Wing 
short. First wing-feather as long as the tenth. First to fourth wing-feathers feebly 
emarginated on the inner web. Toes completely naked and scaled, like the greater 
number of species of the genus Scops. 
1. Orus cramnicus, Kp. 
Ephialtes grammicus, Gosse, B. of Jamaica, t. 19. 
Diagn.—The tail 118 mm. long, with ten small bands on a pointed ground. 
Descr.—The upper parts like the feather-horns rusty-yellow, with a great number of 
fine zigzag cross-lines and zigzag shaft-spots, especially on the shoulder-coverts. The 
wings on the interior side show six to seven cross-bands. Size of Otus vulgaris, but 
not so elegantly formed. 
VOL. IV.—PART VI. PA i, 
