236 DR. J. J. KAUP’S MONOGRAPH OF THE STRIGIDA. 
wings rufous-grounded like the tail, with six black cross-bands. The ear-horns are 
nearly 51 mm. long, black- and rufous-margined. 
Hab. Madagascar. 
Dimens.—Otus mecicanus: head 60, from the gape 34, wing 253-264, tail 142, 
tarsus 55. O.madagascariensis : head 56, from the gape 32, wing 320 (Puch.), tail 152, 
tarsus 37-45 mm. long (Puch.). 
Subgenus d. Brachyotus, Gould’. 
Diagn.—With small curved bill and long wings. The first wing-feather shorter than 
the second, and nearly as long as the fourth. The first wing-feather near the end 
clearly, the second not so distinctly emarginated. The dentellated margin of the first wing- 
feather not so developed. Toes covered with feathers down to the scales of the nails. 
The type of this small subgenus differs very much in its habits from the other species ; 
it lives in meadows and fields and amongst reeds. In the northern part of Europe it 
makes its nest in the reeds. 
9. Orus BRacuyotus, Boie. 
Strix brachyotus, Gmel. Naum. 
ulula, Gmel. 
Noctua major, Briss. 
Stria egolius, ulula, et accipitrina, Pall. 
caspia, Shaw. 
arctica, Sparrm. 
tripennis, Schrank. 
brachyura, Nils, 
Otus ulula, Cuv. 
Brachyotus palustris, Gould. 
—— palustris europeus, Bp. 
Gould, Birds of Hur. t. 40; Enl, 488; Nozeman, t. 33, 34; Frisch, t. 98. 
Diagn.—Black around the eye. Wing 295-300, tail 150 mm. long. 
Descr.—The upper parts dark brown, with white and rufous margin-spots. The wing 
rufous, with three to four irregular broad dark-brown bands. Arm-wings with four 
ocellated and clouded rufous spots on the outer webs, and three narrow bands near 
the end on the inner webs. The operculum with white feathers, the last series blackish 
at the root, with black spots on the top. A black spot on the hinder ear-margins. 
Tail rufous, with five broad dark-brown cross-bands. The exterior tail-feather, as also 
the end of the tail, nearly white; the rufous bands of the middle feathers sometimes 
ocellated and spotted, The under parts rusty-yellow, with small dark-brown shaft- 
spots, which are broadest next the throat. 
' An exact comparison of this subgenus with the subgenus Ozws and the others, shows at once not the least 
generic difference in its osteology. To prove this, I figure the skulls of the two European species (see Pl. LVI. 
figs. 1, 2, 3, 4). Subgenera never have anatomical, but only exterior characters, [ find this also the case in 
all the other genera and subgenera of the families Falconid@ and Strigide. 
