NOCTURNAL BIRDS 
35 
Notes. — Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting the thick scrubs. It 
is similar in habits and economy to the Boobook Owl. It utters the 
“Mopoke” call, but not quite as loud as the call of the Boobook Owl. 
Nest. — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Eggs . — Two or three, white and rounded. Breeding-season : October 
to January. 
14. Red Boobook Owl Ninox lurida De Vis 
lu-rid-a — L., luridus, red. 
Distribution . — N orth-eastern Queensland. 
Notes. — This species inhabits the big scrubs, and is considered rare. 
It keeps to the darkest and thickest growths during the day, and at dusk 
flies out into the open areas. Its call is “Mopoke,” often repeated. Food : 
insects, rodents, and small birds. 
Nest. — Not recorded. 
Eggs. — Not recorded. 
15. Northern Boobook Owl Ninox ocellata Bonaparte 
o-cell-a-ta — L., ocellatus , marked with little eyes (spotted). 
Distribution. — North-western Australia and northern Queensland; 
also occurs in New Guinea. 
Notes . — Also called Fawn-bellied Owl and Marbled Owl. Usually 
singly or in pairs, frequenting open forests and scrubs, chiefly in the 
neighbourhood of watercourses. It is similar in habits to the Boobook 
Owl. Food : insects, rodents, and small birds. 
Nest. — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Eggs. — Two or three, white and rounded. Breeding-season: Sep- 
tember to January. 
16. Winking Owl Ninox connivens Latham 
con-niv -ens — L., connivens , winking. 
Distribution. — Australia generally; also occurs in New Guinea and 
the Molucca Islands. 
Notes. — Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting open forest-lands, 
brushes, and scrubs. During the day it rests in a hollow in a tree or 
among thick foliage. When disturbed, it utters a growling noise. Its 
cad varies from “Ho-wuk-wuk” or “Keow” when mating, to “Karr, karr, 
karr, karr, koo-wock” when hawking for insects. Food: insects (chiefly 
beetles and grasshoppers) ; also mammals and birds. 
Nest. — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree; occasionally in a rabbit- 
burrow. 
Eggs. — Two or three, white and rounded. Breeding-season : August, 
September, October. 
17. Rufous Owl Ninox rufa Gould 
ru-fa — L., rufus, red. 
Distribution. — North-western Australia, Northern Territory, and 
northern Queensland; also occurs in New Guinea. 
