STRIGID.E. 



This is one of the smallest of the Owls found in this 

 country, measuring only about eight inches in length, and in 

 expanse twenty and a half inches; the tail measures nearly 

 five inches, and the wings reach a little beyond it when 

 closed. The beak is strong, and measures three-fourths of 

 an inch, and is dusky with a black tip. The iris is fine 

 yellow, paler in the young than in the adult. 



The legs are small and delicate, and closely feathered : 

 the toes are unfeathered, and covered with scales ; the tarsus 

 measures one inch two lines, the middle toe and claw one 

 inch one line, the hinder toe and claw three-fourths of an 

 inch. 



The tufts on the head of this little Owl are short and in- 

 distinct, and sometimes laid clown upon the head ; in dead 

 specimens they are hardly distinguishable. 



The whole of the upper plumage is composed of dusky 

 rufous brown and grey, the brown predominates on the upper 

 parts ; the ground colours of the under plumage are ochre 

 yellow and grey, with square dusky spots in the centre of 

 some of the feathers, and largest on the breast ; these are 

 crossed by narrow waving lines ; the quills are transversely 

 barred with yellowish white and brown. 



The egg numbered 24 belongs to this species ; they are 

 usually three or four in number. 



