10 ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL 



Conclusion. 



In concluding this sketch of the geographical distribution of Strixflammea 

 and its allies, I must notice a very good summary of the range of the species 

 given by Dr. von Pelzeln (Reis. Nov. Vog. p. 378). I also cannot avoid 

 quoting some excellent remarks which have been given by other naturalists 

 on the variations of the Barn-Ow^l in different parts of the world, as they 

 seem so thoroughly to concur in my determination to unite all the known 

 species under one heading. 



Thus, Professor Schlegel (Mus. P.-B. Striges, p. 1) speaks as follows 

 concerning Strix Jlammea : — 



" This species is spread over all parts of the w^orld ; but it presents in 

 several localities variations, more or less pronounced though often inconstant, 

 in the size and proportion of certain parts or in slight modifications in the 

 shade of colour. As regards these, we can propound the following facts as a 

 general rule. The feathers on the lower part of the tarsus are a little less 

 developed in exotic individuals than in those from Europe ; I have, however, 

 examined examples from Sennaar and North America which, in this respect, 

 differ in no way from European individuals. The Barn-Owls of the New 

 World, and more particularly those which inhabit the north of South America, 

 are often of a larger size than those from other parts of the world ; and their 

 toes, as well as their tarsi, no matter what the size of the individuals may be, 

 are constantly a little bigger in proportion. It happens, moreover, that in 

 individuals from Cuba, sometimes also in those of North America and even 

 in those from South America, the quills incHne strongly to white on their 

 basal half, and that the tail is also of the same colour and distinguished for a 

 more or less complete absence of spots. As regards the colour of the species 

 in general, we know that there exist two accidental varieties .-—the one with 

 dark plumage, of which the ground-colour of the lower parts inclines more 

 or less strongly to rufous ; the other with Ught plumage, whose lower parts 



