Catalogue of the Birds 



pULY 



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

 by briskly feathers, and there 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 bo as a sub-genus. Length, 

 2* inches; wing 16£; tail 8£; tarsus 2; mid toe 3; inner 3£. 



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

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

 to the 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 

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

 looking a 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. Leschenaultii. — Ketupa Leschenaultii, Less. — Temm. P. C. 20. 

 — S. Hardwic/rii, Gray, Gray and Hardw. III. I. Z l—Amrai ka 

 Googoo, H. — Large horned ivood Owl. 



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

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

 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 also found in topes and avenues in open country. It is partially 

 diurnal. Its voice is a loud and harsh hollow laugh. I know noth ing 

 of its food. Mr. Hodgson says that the genus is piscivorous, and thus 

 the analogy of its feet and legs with those of Patid'on are beau tifully 

 explained. The markings of the species figured as S. Hardwiclcii in 

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

 present subject, and I suspect the sentillation 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 is, 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 readers) and cacophonous generic names from the vernacular 

 dialect of Nepal. 



