ORB. RAPTORES, 



FAMILY STRIGIDM. 



GENUS STBIX. 

 PLATE XXX. 



STRIX CANDIDA. 



LONG-LEGGED GEASS OWL. 



Synon. — S. Longimemhris — Jerdon, Cat. No. 38, S. Candida, Tickell, S. Javanica 

 apud Blytli. 



When I named this Owl as new, I had only met with a single specimen, which was shot 

 on the Neilgherries near Coonoor. Since that time 1 have obtained other specimens, in the 

 Nellore district, once in long grass when hunting for florikin, and again among long reeds 

 in the dry bed of the tank at Yeroor, which had been fired to drive out some wild hog we 

 were in search of. 



On comparing it again with Tickell's description I find it agrees well enough, except 

 as to the tarsi, which are said to be ' denuded,' but I imagine that he only meant it as com- 

 parativelj so Wi\X\ Jlammeus , and as he especially mentions the fact of its being found only 

 in long grass, I have now little doubt that they are identical, and have accordingly adopted 

 his name. Mr. Blyth appears to think it may have been the species mentioned by Latham 

 as S. Javanica, Gm. and de Wurmb, but I doubt much if it be the original species from 

 Java. It was known to Buchanan, but Mr. Blyth has not obtained it from Bengal as yet. 



The present figure was taken from a living specimen. 



I add a description. Upper plumage generally brown, mixed with yellow, and spotted 

 with white. Beneath white, tinged with ochreous, and spotted with brown. Face white, 

 with a dark spot at the inner angle of the eye. Quills and tail barred with buff and brown ; 

 some of the secondaries blotched with white ; bill pink, legs reddish brown. Irides dark 

 brown, lower part of the tarsus nearly denuded of feathers. 



Length about 17 inches, of wiug 14, tail 5;^, tars. 3 A, middle toe 2\, extent of 

 wings 4G. 



The species of Owl figured by Dr. A Smith in his Zoology of South Africa as S, Capen- 

 ■''is much resembles this in colours and structure. 



