1836.] On a new Piscatory Genus of the Strigida. 363 



VII. — On a new Piscatory Genus of the Strigine Family. — By the same. 



Order Raptores. Family Strigid^e. 



Genus new. Cultr unguis, Mihi. 



Generic character : — 



Bill subequal to the head, straightened as far as the cere, gradually 

 curved beyond it, moderately compressed, strong. Wings medial, 

 equal to the tail, four and five longest and subequal ; three first con- 

 siderably gradated, first not pectinated. Tarsi rather elevate, partially 

 or wholly nude, reticulate. Toes nude, and reticulate with three or 

 four scales next the talons ; the anteriors subequal. Talons medial, 

 stout, subequal, compressed, cultrated below*. Egrets as in Bubo, 

 disc and ears as in Noctua. Tail short. 



It is some time since Gen. Hardwicke made known to science an 

 owl with nude tarsif. The circumstance was remai-kable, but it does 

 not seem to have led him to any further investigation. Some years 

 back I discovered a similarly- characterised species, and at the same 

 time noted that the talons were sharpened like a knife on their lower 

 edge. In process of time I discovered another species with the tarsi 

 half naked; and this also had cultrated talons. But my specimens of 

 both species happened to have the stomach empty ; and 1 had no 

 immediate means of observing the manners of the birds. In 1830 I 

 had opportunity to note that both species flew well by day, and were 

 constantly found on the banks of rivers. Analogy with the eagles 

 then led me to suspect that these birds might possibly be fishers : 

 but still, until I had seen them fishing, or had obtained specimens 

 with fish in the stomach, I could have no safe ground for assuming so 

 extraordinary a fact. I have now, however, procured specimens with 

 the stomach full of fish, and fish only J ; and I presume that the expost- 

 facto inference from structure to habits will scarcely be questioned. 

 Whether Hardwicke'sowI will, when better known, constitute another 

 genus of the fishing owls, remains to be proved : but that bird is 

 sufficiently distinguished from either of mine by its shielded tarsi. In 

 forming a new genus for two new species, essentially alike, and very 

 materially differing both in conformation and habits from all known 

 birds of this family, I rely upon the sanction and support of men of 

 science. And I shall only add, before proceeding to give the specific 

 characters, that those of the genus have been derived from a freer 

 use of ordinary external characters than has heretofore been made in 



* Hence the generic name, cultratus and unguis. 



+■ Of the yet earlier Strix nudipes of Daudin, nothing seems accurately 

 known. 



X I have just discovered that they prey on crabs as well as common fish. 

 B. H. H., 2nd July, 1836. 

 3 a 2 



