on Birds from Shendi, Sudan. 27 
The differences between the Tropical Barn-Owl (S. f. 
maculata), the true S. fiammea, and the West-European 
S. f. kirchhoffi. have been fully discussed by Reichenow (^Die 
Vogel Afrikas/ i. p. 676, 1901). 
Barn-Owls were fairly common at Shendi ; we often heard, 
but seldom saw, them. They frequented the ruins of the old 
town of Shendi. Nos. 423, 424, 427, and 428 were obtained 
at Kabushea, about forty miles to the north, where we also 
obtained young birds in down on March 23rd. 
75. Bubo ascalaphus desertorum Erlanger. 
294 S, 409 S , 344 pullus. 
These specimens from Shendi agree absolutely with 
specimens of B. a. desertorum (Erl. Orn. Monatsb. v. p. 192, 
1897) in the Tring Museum from Gabes, Tunis. 
This very handsome Eagle-Owl was found on two isolated 
rocky hills, Gebel Margel and Gebel el Lahemer, about ten 
miles east of Shendi. There appeared to be only one pair 
of Owls on each. They were as often found sitting on the 
sunny as on the shady side of the hill during the day-time, 
and were always very much on the alert, flying away 
without hesitation if approached too closely. 
On March 13th we found a nest containing two young 
birds in down on the south side of Gebel Margel. It 
Avas merely a depression in the midst of large blocks of 
stone, and was fully exposed to the heat of the sun ; at mid- 
day the rocks became so hot that it was impossible to touch 
them with the hand for any length of time. Round the 
nest were large numbers of pellets, containing the hair and 
bones of hares, mice, and jerboas. 
7Q. PisoRHiNA LEUCOTis (Tcmm.) . 
325 c?, 76 c? juv., 342 juv. (sex?), 343 juv. (sex?), 
430 $ juv., 431 ? juv., 432 S juv. 
This little Owl was not uncommon at Shendi. Some of 
our specimens were found in trees, and some in the ruins of 
the town of Shendi. 
On March 22nd a nest containing three almost fully- 
fledgcd young birds was found in a deserted well. 
