30 



Catalogue of the Birds [Jw* 



-wise is rather larger than the* outer fore ; the toes are nearly covered 

 "by bristly feathers, an 1 thare are 3 large scales on each of the toes 

 next the talons. These differences, however, probably only entitle this 

 bird to rank as an aberrant species, or it may be as a sub-genus. Length, 

 23 inches; wing I6&; tail 8£ ; tarsus 2; mid toe 3 ; inner 3£. 



'I have hitherto only found this powerful and splendid owl in the 

 dense and lofiy forests of Malabar. It is chiefly nocturnal, issuing forth 

 to die more open spaces about dusk. I was informed by an intelligent 

 native that it feeds on various mammalia, and also on fish, and that it 

 will dive to some depth for these. The stomach of the only specimen I 

 pro sured was empty. It had just perched on a large palmyra palm over- 

 lookraga tank It utters a low moaning cry at intervals. Should it 

 prove undescribed, it may be named as above, from the marked pectoral 



band. 



Genus CULTRUNGUIS, Hodgson.— Kelupa, Less. 



45.— C. Leschtnauliii.—Ketupa Leschentu'tli, Less.— Temm. P. C. 20. 



— S. Hardwickii, Gray, Gray an 1 Hardw. 111. L Z i-Amrai lea 



Googoo, H. — Large ho- ned wood Old. 

 I have here adopted Mr. Hodgson's excellent an 1 classical name, 

 though that of M. Lesson has the priority, not more on account of hw 

 accurate generic definition, than from the excellent composition of the 

 word.* This powerful bird is generally spread throughout India, though 

 far from being common. It frequents chiefly the more wooded districts, 

 though als > found in topes an 1 av mues in open country. It is partially 

 diurnal. Its voice is a loud and harsh hollow laugh. I know nothing 

 of its food. Mr. Hod-son says that the genus is piscivorous, and thus 

 the analogvofits feet au 1 legs with those of Pond-on are beautifully 

 explained? The markings of the species figured as S. Hardwiekii in 

 Gray and Hardwicke's Illustration*, appear not to differ from those of our 

 present subject, and I suspect the senttlla.ion of the tarsi there repre- 

 sented is an embellishment of the native artist, most probably, and that 

 this must therefore stand as a synonyme. 



• It ia I think, much to be regretted that Mr. Hodgson, who in this and other instances 

 has shewn his talent in the formation of classically compounded words, should in general 

 adopt unmeaning (to most readeis) and cacophonous generic names from the vernacular 

 dialect of Nepal. 



