240 DR. J. J. KAUP’S MONOGRAPH OF THE STRIGIDA. 
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. Tibie 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, Végel 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, 
Ill. S. Afr. Zool. B. t. 70), is also not a distinct species; it has not sufficient characters 
to separate it from the Bubo maaimus. 
It is possible that these two varieties are subspecies of the common Bubo maximus. 
5. Buso aFrricanus, Boie. 
Strix africana, Temm. Col. 50. 
Otus africanus, Cuv. 
Bubo maculosus, Cass. 
Strix maculosa, Daud. 
Otus maculosus, Less. 
Bubo cinerascens, Guér. 
—— Dilloni, Desm. & Prév. 
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 lighter rufous, sometimes with pointed bands. Tarsi 
nearly white, with irregular narrow brownish bands. 
Obs.—Bubo cinerascens, Guér., 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. cimerascens. dilloni. 
Dimens.—Head . . . . he] 75 85 
Bill from the gape 40-43 38 43 
Wing . . . . 320-330 308 365 
Tala ie) AS SG =188 162 — 
Hab. The whole of Africa. 
