220 BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
Mr. Davidson, C.S., notes that the birds were very common 
during the season of 1878 to 1879, at Sholapur, Poona, and Khan- 
desh; I also found it not uncommon at Deesa about the same time. 
Mr. Davidson has taken many nests at Sholapur and Khandesh, and 
he remarks that the nests were generally on small babool trees, 
from fifteen to twenty feet from the ground, but occasionally high 
up in a tree. 
_Sholapur, 20th September to 4th April. J. Davidson, C.S, 
Khandesh, 7th November. 
” 
60.—THE INDIAN SCREECH OWL. 
Strix javanica, Gm. 
The Indian Screech Owl is more or less common throughout the 
whole of Western India, less so in Sind and the North, more so 
in the Deccan and the South. They breed during December and 
January, occasionally later, in holes, in trees, wells and buildings, 
making no nest. The eggsare less spherical in shape than those of 
owls usually are, averaging 1°69 inches in length by about 1:28 in 
breadth; in number they vary from four to eight ; probably when 
more than four are found, they are the joint produce of two 
birds. 
In colour they are unspotted white, with just a faint tinge of 
cream. The texture is fine and compact, and they have but little 
gloss. 
Deesa, 16th January. H, H. Barnes. 
Satara, 25th February. J. Davidson, O.8. 
Khandeish, 1st December to 1st February, s 
65.—THE MOTTLED WOOD OWL. 
Syrnium ocellatum, Less. 
With the exception of Sind, the Mottled Wood Owl has been 
recorded from all parts of the Presidency. It is, however, somewhat 
locally distributed, not occurring as a rule in heavy forest, but much 
affecting small topes of trees in the vicinity of villages. It breeds 
during January and February, occasionally later, laying its eggs in 
holes in trees, or in a depression formed by one or more branches ; 
it makes no nest. The eggs, two in number, are very broad ovals, 
measuring nearly two inches in length by about 1:67 in breadth. 
They are unspotted white in colour, many of them having a barely 
