120 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



band half round the eye internally, and a paler fulvous patch 

 externally ; beneath, pale fulvous yellow, with minute black spots ; 

 tarsus and under tail coverts the same, but unspotted. 



Lenfrth, 11 inches; wing 8^; tail 3^; tarsus, 2; mid-toe and 

 claw If. The toes are almost bare; and the wings reach just to the 

 end of the tail. 



This peculiarly colored owl has been very rarely found within 

 our province, having only been obtained by Mr. Hodgson, in 

 Nepal and Sikira. It appears to be more common in Burmah and 

 Malayana, especially in the Archipelago. It is said by the natives 

 to be on good terms with the tiger. 



Sub-fam. Syrniinjs — Hooting Owls. 



Head not so large as in the last family, and the disk incomplete 

 above ; no ear tufts ; wings moderate, somewhat rounded ; the first 

 four or five quills emarginate ; tarsus short, stout, well feathered ; 

 mid-toe longer than the inner toe ; claw dilated internally, as are 

 the toes also partially ; tail slightly lengthened, and rounded or 

 graduated. 



The Hooting Owls are birds of rather large size, with smooth 

 rounded heads, dark irides, stout legs and feet, and generally 

 adorned with very prettily marked plumage. They are quite 

 nocturnal in their habits, and live in woods and groves. The ears 

 are moderately large, somewhat lunate or ovoid, and operculate. 



Gen. Syrnium, Savigny. 



Syn. Uhda, and Aluco, Cuvier, Scotiaptex, Swainson. 



Chai'. — Those of the family. This genus has been sub-divided 

 into several groups or sub-genera, which, though not marked by any 

 striking structural differences, are yet sufficiently natural divisions, 

 marked by similarity of color, and some points of structure ; and 

 I will indicate them here, without, however, adopting them as 

 genera. 



Sub-gen. BuLACA, Hodgson. 



Bill somewhat elongated, nearly straight at base, or gently slop- 

 ing from base, compressed at the tip, strong ; nostrils transverse, 



