SCOPS SUNIA. 141 



often heard soon after dark, and further that all he examined had fed on insects. Such is the food of most of 

 our small Owls in Ceylon, the coleopterous class coming in for the greatest share of patronage ; and doubtless 

 the present species is as much an insect-feeder in the latter island as in India. 



Nidification. — In India this Owl breeds, according to Mr. R. Thompson, from March until August, in 

 holes of trees, usually at no great height from the ground. Unfortunately this gentleman never took the 

 eggs, though he says the bird was common in the Gurwhal forests. 



Captain Hutton states that it breeds in hollow trees, "laying three or four white eggs on the rotten wood," 

 in March. 



