128 
AFRICAN SCOPS OWL. 
attributable to climate, the second to a difference of 
sex, but the third distinction, more especially when 
coupled with the others, is altogether decisive. 
It is almost impossible to give a correct idea, by 
words, of those intricate mixtures of colours seen in 
the plumage of the owls and nightjars. On such 
occasions it appears preferable to single out two or 
three parts for minute description, and not attempt 
a laboured account of the remainder. Without, 
therefore, occupying more space than is necessary, 
we shall merely observe, that the general cast of the 
plumage of these two species are so much alike, 
that we can feel no surprise at their having been 
mistaken for the same. Yet, even in some of these 
markings, when closely examined, there is a tangible 
difference. The inner webs of the greater quills, 
for instance, on the S. Senegalensis , are light-brown, 
passing into buff, and marked across with about 
six •well defined blackish bars, placed in an oblique 
direction, and extending entirely across the web; 
whereas, in S. Etiropasus, these bars are not entirely 
more obscure, but they are upon a dull blackish 
ground, so as to become partly undefined ; the spots 
on the outer web of the quills are larger, whiter, 
and fewer. On the first quill there are nine in 
S. Europcens, and but six in S. Senegalensis. In 
S. Europeans, the outer half of the greater wing- 
covers beneath is entirely black ; but in Senegalensis , 
they are entirely whitish, with two slender black 
transverse bands. The axillse of the shoulders in 
this are cream colour, tinged with ferruginous, pre- 
