PLATE XXIX. 



STRIX TENEBRICOSUS (Gould). 



SOOTY OWL. 



f I ^HE dark, sombre colour of this species at once distinguishes it from all the other members of 

 the genus. It is also very much rarer. It is found in the thick brushes near the coast 

 of New South Wales. 



In all its habits and characteristics it resembles its congeners, and, as in their case, the 

 female is larger and more powerful than the male. 



The facial disc is sooty-grey, surrounded by black; the upper surface, wings, and tail, blackish- 

 brown, spotted with white ; the primaries the same colour, but without spots ; under surface, brownish- 

 grey, with very faint spots of white ; irides, brown ; bill, horn-colour ; feet, yellow ; claws, black. 



Habitat : New South Wales. 



