280 



white of the plumage, as also the blackish-brown spots, were purer. In young birds the feathers 

 on the tarsi and toes have all brownish-grey points. I observed this Owl in 1856 in the Apfel 

 Mountains (Kirinsk), as also in Eastern Sajan ; but it is very rare there. On the other hand, I 

 found it numerous in the Bureja Mountains in autumn and early winter. Here the periodical 

 migrations of the squirrels, in the elevated parts of the valleys where Finns cembra is found, 

 appear to be not without influence on their habits, as they are then found in great abundance. 

 It is undoubtedly the commonest of all the Owls in the Bureja Mountains." I may add that I 

 possess an adult bird obtained by Dr. Radde, which agrees closely with specimens from European 

 Russia and Sweden. 



But little, comparatively speaking, is known respecting the habits of this Owl or its nidifi- 

 cation. It appears to resort to the forests and hills for the breeding-season ; and in the late 

 autumn and winter it is to be met with in the open country and on the plains, where it can more 

 easily find food. Early in April it resorts to its nesting-localities, which are generally in elevated 

 beech-forests or rocky mountain-gorges ; and its presence there is made known by its pairing-call, 

 which is loud and is said to resemble the bleating of a goat. It is by no means a strictly 

 nocturnal bird, but is often seen flying about in search of prey during the daytime. 



Its eggs, two or three in number, are deposited late in April or early in May, in the hollow 

 of a beech tree or the cleft of a rock, and are said to resemble those of the Tawny Owl (Syrnium 

 aluco) ; and one taken by Petenyi, near Altsohl, measured 24|'" by 19^-"' (Vienna measure). 



The specimens figured are the adult bird above described, and a young bird, this latter 

 being from a drawing by my late friend Magnus von Wright, brother to the eminent Finnish 

 painter of that name. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, <$ ad., b, $ ad. Jemtland, Sweden, January 1872 (Meves). c, ?. Archangel, d, $. Archangel, November 

 26th. e, 6. Zaja, Archangel, December 4th, 1875 (Piottuch). /, 2jun. Bohnierwald, South Germany 

 (Moschler). g, 6 ad. Amurland, December 3rd, 1857 (Dr. G. Radde). 



E Mus. Norv. 

 a, ad. Stockholm, b, ad. Sweden, c. Russia. 



E Mus. Brit. Reg. 



a, ? ad. Lapland (Wahlberg). b, ? ad. Styria. c, 6 ad. Ussuri river, Siberia, November 5th, 1873 

 (Dr. Dybowski). 



