RAPTORES. 



107 



be distinguished. The specimen now before us, which is in excellent 

 plumage and preservation, we regard as one of the most interesting in 

 the collection of the Expedition or in the National Museum, and there 

 is no other, so far as we know, in any other collection in this country. 



3. Genus SCOPS, Savignij, Hist. Nat. d'Egypt, I, p. 105 (1809). 



1. Scops sunia [Rod(json). 



Scops sunia, Hodgson, As. Res. XIX, p. 175 (1836). 

 Jerdon, 111. Ind. Zool. Plate XLI. 



The only specimen of this species that we have ever seen, in 

 mottled brown and white plumage, is in the collection of the Expedi- 

 tion. This is one of several species which present very nearly the 

 same variations of color as the common red and mottled owls of the 

 United States {E. naevia and asio). Of two specimens from Malacca, 

 in the collection, one is in the red plumage, as originally described by 

 Mr. Hodgson, as above cited, and as figured by Mr. Jerdon in illustra- 

 tions of Indian Zoology, Plate XLI; the other has the entire plumage 

 mottled brownish and black, with white spots, the last predominating 

 on the under parts of the body. 



The group to which this little owl belongs, which is mainly com- 

 posed of nearly allied Asiatic species, is, however, one of the most 

 difficult in Ornithology. We cannot pretend to trace the synonymes 

 of this species, therefore, on the present occasion. 



4. Genus BRACHYOTUS, Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1837, p. 10. 



1. Brachyotcs galapagoensis (Gould). 



Otus galapagoensis, GouLD, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1837, p. 10. 

 Strix sandwichensis, Bloxham, Voy. Blonde, p. 250 (1826). ? 

 Strix yeorgica, Latiiam, Ind. Orn. Supp. p. 15 (1801). ? 



For the first time, we have an opportunity of examining specimens 



