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XXI. Description of a New Species of Owl of the Genus Ciccaba. 
By Puixie Lutiey Scrater, M.A., F.L.S., &e. 
Read April 12, 1859. 
Mk. J. H. GURNEY has invited my attention to the example of an Owl of the 
genus Ciccaba, which I now exhibit. It has already passed through my hands once, 
having been submitted to my examination by M. Verreaux, along with other birds 
from Southern Mexico, of which I gave some account in our ‘ Proceedings’ for last 
year. As will be seen by referring to my remarks given on that occasion’, I then 
somewhat unwillingly referred it to Ciccaba huhula. Mr. Gurney, however, having 
acquired the specimen for the Norwich Museum, agrees with M. Jules Verreaux 
(whose opinion to that effect I have already recorded) in insisting on its distinctness. 
Having lately had an opportunity of examining a second specimen of this bird, in 
the collection of the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, I am now quite prepared to coincide 
with their views, and to characterize this Mexican Ciccaba as an independent species, 
differing from, though closely allied to, the S. American Ciccaba huhula. It may be 
recognized at once by the more uniform colour above, there being hardly a trace of 
white transverse markings, except on the elongated feathers of the neck-collar, and by 
the ground-colour below being pure white, crossed by frequent narrow bands of black, 
each feather showing three or four of such cross-bands. I propose to call this bird 
CiccaBA NIGROLINEATA. (Pl. LXIIL.) 
Schistacescenti-nigra, colli postici plumis elongatis et albo ter quater transfasciatis : 
maculis in regione superciliari et auriculari quibusdam albis: subtus alba, lineis nigris 
crebro transfasciata: mento nigro: subalaribus albis, nigro variegatis: cauda nigra, 
albo quinquies transfasciata: rostro et pedibus flavissimis: tibis nigris, albo sparsis. 
Long. tota 15:0, ale 10°5, caudz 6°78, rostri a rictu 1°35, tarsi 2°1. 
Had. In Mexico Meridionali. 
Mus. Norfolciensi et Parisiensi. 
' See P.Z.S 1858, p. 96. 
