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Birds of Celebes: Asionidae. 
]). Ephialtes leucospila (1) Wall., Ibis 1868, 25, 27 partim (Celebes). 
For synonymy see Salvacl., ib. 
Diagnosis. General plumage of a yellow tint, both above and below; ruff and ear-coverts 
ocbraceous buff; no white, but yellowish, on the scapulars; no perceptible collar round 
hind neck; entire upper surface very strongly banded with fulvous (Sharpe ml). 
Observation. According to Salvadori’s key, specimens, agreeing with the following two sub- 
species in having the upper surface darker than the lower, occur, but such may be 
distinguished from these other subspecies by the markings of the under surface being 
scantier, but broader. 
Distribution. Amboina; Ceram (m 2). 
Observation. There are two specimens of a Scops in the Leyden Museum, mentioned by 
Schlegel as having the “teinte generate dhin roux fonce tres ardent”, which are 
stated to have been obtained at Gorontalo by Forsten; a third in the Darmstadt 
Museum, also from Celebes, was collected by Dr. Diedel probably at Gorontalo like- 
wise. Both Schlegel and Bruggemann agree in separating these from S. mmm- 
densis, and in recording two forms of Scojjs Owl from Celebes. Dr. Sharpe only 
alloAvs the island one race, and that the typical S. manadensis. Bruggemann found 
his Celebesian 8 . magicus perfectly identical with a Halmahera specimen; Schlegel 
his Lvo AAuth one from Ternate. On the other hand Ave now consider these rufous 
birds from Celebes to be simply old examples of the local race (see supj'a). 
6. Scops manadensis leucospilus (Gray). 
q. Scops leucospilus (Gray), (I) Sharpe, Cat. B. 1875, II, 72, pi. VI; (2) Salvad., Orn. 
Pap. 1880, I, 72, 74; (3) Pleske, Bull. Ac. Petersb. 1884, 522. 
r. Scops bouruensis (I) Sharpe, Cat. B. 1875, II, 73, pi. VII, f. 2 (fide Salvad.). 
Diagnosis. Differs from S. m. magicus in haAung the markings of the under surface more 
finely diffused and numerous; and from S. m. morotensis in being paler and having 
the scapulars spotted Avith white, not rufescent white (Salvad. ib.). 
Distribution. Batchian, Halmahera; Ternate; Burn ("^2, q 3). 
7. (?) Scops manadensis morotensis (Sharpe). 
s. Scops morotensis {1} Sharpe, Cat. B. 1875, H, 75, pi. VH, f. 1; {2) Salvad., O. Pap. I, 
72, 76; Agg. 1889, I, 22. 
Diagnosis. Like 8 . m. leucospilus., but darker; the spots on scapulars rufescent white 
(Salvad. ib.). 
Distribution. Morty; Ternate (s 2). 
Observation. Mr. Pleske considers on good grounds that this form is identical Avith leuco- 
spilus. Although it is not advisable to unite them until more material from Morty 
Island is forthcoming, it appears to us very probable that Avhat is called morotensis 
are only old specimens of leucospilus. As three specunens in the Dresden Museum 
of the typical manadensis, magicus and leucospilus with more or less remains of 
nesthng down shoAV, as does also a specimen figured by Dr. Sharpe (pi. VI), the 
young of these oavIs have a remarkably pale, blanched, apj>earance; hence and from 
specimens before us we conclude that the more saturated, rufous, coloration is a sign of 
greater age. Of the four specimens of morotensis in the British Museum the three 
labelled “Molucca Islands” may, of course, have come from Morty, or from one of 
the neighbouring islands, Avhich have furnished leucospilus. Three specimens of the 
