14 



ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL 



The above measurements show conclusively the larger size of American, 

 especially Central-American, specimens as regards the legs and toes ; but in 

 Chihan birds, where the appearance of the Barn-Owls is most like that of the 

 European, the measurements are also more approximative, and it seems to 

 me impossible to draw the line. 



As regards the number of bars on the wings and tail, the following 

 synopsis of the variation in the bars in the series examined conclusively 

 disposes of this character as of specific importance : — 



Tail-bars. 



Palsearctic Region :■ 

 England 

 France . 

 Germany 

 Egypt . 

 Morocco 



Mean 



Ethiopian Eegion : — 



Senegambia 



Abyssinia . 



S. Africa . 



Madagascar 

 Indian Region :- 



India . . 



Burmah 



Malaisia 

 Nearctic Region 

 Neotropical Region : — 



Central America 



South America 



Wing-bars. 



3-4 



4 



5 



5 

 4-5 



3-5 



3-4 



5 

 5-6 

 4-5 



2-4 



3 

 3-4 

 3-5 



4-5 

 4-6 



4-5 



4 

 4-5 



5 



4-5 



4-5 



4 



5 



4-5 



5 



4-5 

 4 



4 

 4-5 



4-5 

 5 



In the above summary only the ordinary Strix fiammea is considered, 

 without any of the very extreme races. These latter are : — 



Strix insularis approached by ordinary Strix flammea from Cape-Verd peninsula; 



Strix rosenbergi ,, ^^ Lombock; 



Strix glaucops „ ^^ Yeragua; 



Birix punctatissima ,, ^, Veragua and Strix glaucops. 



