1844.J 



of the Peninsula of India, 



167 



quill longest. 2d, 3d, and 4th quills nearly graduated ; lsj 

 considerably shorter, about equal to the 9th — 3d and 6th 

 nearly equal. Bill much bent ; commissure almost straight. 

 Tarsus reticulated, with a larger series of scales in front on 

 the upper part of the tarsus only ; 4 large scales on the ex- 

 tremities of the toes ; tail rounded, 2 inches beyond the 

 wings. This bird differs from the true Buzzards in several 

 points, more especially in the structure of its tarsi which are 

 reticulated nearly throughout. Its wings are short, and its 

 bill more abruptly bent. Its feet are moderate and claws 

 small, but considerably curved. Of its habits and food I 

 know nothing. I was favoured by S. Ward, Esq. M. C. S. 

 with the only skin of this bird I have yet seen. It was killed 

 at the foot of the Neilgherries. 



29, bis. — Falco sub-buteo, L. — The Hobby. 



I obtained a single specimen of this falcon during the cold 

 season in a grove of trees north of Jaulnah. I found its 

 stomach crammed with dragon flies {Libellulce). It was 

 called Doureylee by one native falconer, and Bey gee by ano- 

 ther, who said it was only a cold weather visitant in the 

 Peninsula, coming in and disappearing along with the Bhyree 

 {Falco peregrinus). 



42, bis. — Bulaca Monticola — New species ? — Neilgherry 

 wood owl. 



Descr. Plumage above dark hair-brown, deepest on the 

 head and neck ; medial wing coverts, scapulars, tail and upper 

 tail coverts brown, finely barred with white ; face pale rufous 

 brown ; disk, mark round the eyes, and chin, lackish brown ; 

 throat and narrow line on the lower part of the disk white ; 

 lower surface of body rusty white with numerous narrow bars 

 of pale brown ; feathers of legs rusty with bars less distinct 

 Quills barred with dark and light brown ; irides deep brown ; 

 bill whitish ; claws reddish. 



