KETTTPA CEYLONENSIS. 129 



insignificant water-hole ornamented with a solitary banyan, to its favourite haunt the huge Koombook-tree 

 spreading its massive arms over the dried-up, sandy river-bed. 



In the Kandyan Province it follows the banks of the Mahawelliganga from the low country into the 

 valley of Dunibara, being a well-known bird about Peradeniya, and occurs in the valley of this river, as well 

 as in those of its affluents up to about 3000 feet. Mr. Laurie has procured it in Kalebokka, about the same 

 elevation, and it is likewise found in the Badulla district. In the southern ranges I have met with it up 

 to 2000 feet, and I have no doubt it occurs generally, though not in any numbers, throughout that hill- 

 district. 



Elsewhere the Brown Fish-Owl is found throughout India in suitable spots, from the Himalayas to the 

 extreme south, ranging into Assam, Arakan, and Burmah, as far south as the province of Tenasserim, beyond 

 which it ceases to extend, being replaced in the Malayan peninsula by the smaller species K. javanensis, which 

 likewise inhabits the Burmese kingdom. Concerning the Irrawaddy-delta district, Mr. Armstrong writes that 

 this Owl is tolerably abundant in the thin forest-jungle surrounding the jheels between Elephant Point and 

 China-Baker. In Cachar, Mr. Inglis records it as rather common ; and about Thayetmyo and Tonghoo, 

 Messrs. Feilden and Oates remark that it is also common. From Chota Nagpur Mr. Ball records it, and 

 Mr. Fairbank from the Sahyadri mountains. Jerdon says that it is found in the Nilghiris to a considerable 

 elevation, being not rare in Otacamund. Mr. Fairbank likewise has it from the Palani hills, although it has 

 not yet been procured in the Travancore range. It does not appear to be found either in the Deccan or in 

 Sindh. Beyond the limits of the Indian region Mr. Swinhoe has procured it near Hongkong; and in an 

 equally remote locality to the west, viz. Palestine, Canon Tristram has found it. Its occurrence in these 

 widely distant places is very remarkable. As regards the Holy Land, Canon Tristram writes, in ' The Ibis ' 

 for 1865, " We can only point to one locality as the certain residence of this bird in Palestine." It " was 

 found by us in the wild wooded glen of Wady el Kurn, running up from the Plain of Acre. We discovered it 

 accidentally, and at first took it for the Bubo uscalaphus, when it bolted out of the dense foliage of a great 

 Carob-tree under which we were standing ; we thus put up no less than four individuals in two days." 



Habits. — This large Owl loves the vicinity of water, haunting the banks of rivers, tanks, inland salt 

 lagoons, the borders of sea-bays, and woods surrounding rice-fields. All who have visited the tanks in the 

 north and east of Ceylon must be familiar with this fine bird, which is so often surprised napping in the lofty 

 trees growing on the embankments or so-called " bunds." Its powers of vision in the day are not quick, but 

 they are tolerably clear ; on hearing the footsteps of man, it raises its large ear -tufts, and, bending down its 

 head, stares stolidly down from its lofty perch among the green boughs, and as soon as it becomes aware of 

 the nature of the intruder on its retreat, hastily launches itself out of the tree, and is not easily approached a 

 second time. It is much more common in wild forest country combined with water than in cultivated 

 districts. It sallies out in the evening with great regularity. As soon as the sun begins to sink behind the 

 surrounding forest, it may be noticed, flapping noiselessly round some secluded cheena, or leisurely crossing 

 the lonely tank, resounding at the hour of sunset with the booming of innumerable frogs, to the nearest 

 conspicuous tree, and there gives out its sepulchral groan. This gloomy salutation is usually responded to by 

 its mate, who perches close at hand, and answers by a double note, the two lonesome sounds resembling the 

 words gloom, oh-yloom. At night I have often heard these notes repeated by a pair without intermission for 

 many minutes. Layard remarks that when alarmed during the day they utter a loud hiss, subsiding into a 

 growl. They appear to have an accustomed place of roosting, for Mr. Holdsworth notices that they " perched 

 day after day on the same branch." This is very often in an exposed situation, and it frequently falls to their 

 lot to be mobbed by a flock of garrulous Bulbuls, King-Crows, and other Owl-hating small birds. Fish is the 

 favourite food, and, in fact, the usual diet of this species ; but when this is not procurable, small mammals, 

 reptiles, and even insects are devoured by them. In the stomach of one example I found a snake (Haplocercus 

 ceylonensis) and some large beetles. As a proof of their miscellaneous diet, and also of their voracity, I may 

 mention that a pair of Fish-Owls which were kept by Sir Charles Layard in the same aviary with a Brahminy 

 Kite, fell one night upon their luckless companion, and, after slaughtering him, forthwith proceeded to devour 

 him completely. Further, Mr. Hume records, in ' Nests and Eggs,' finding the remains of quads, doves, and 

 mynahs in the nest of a pair on the Jumna ; and in ' Stray Feathers/ vol. v. p. 16, Mr. J. Inglis writes as 



S 



