AFRICAN SCOPS OWL. 
129 
cisely similar, in fact, to the whitish scapular line 
so common among the owls ; but in the European 
species, the axillae, like the lesser wing-covers, are 
deep and uniform rufous-brown. 
Finally, there is a difference in point of structure 
which must not be passed over. The wings are 
shorter than in the European, which has the second 
quill equal to the fourth; but in this, the second 
quill is not even so long as the fifth. Hence ensues 
a great difference in all the remainder, for in this 
the third and fourth are equal and longest, whereas 
in the S. Europceus the third exceeds all the 
others. The annexed cut will explain these dif- 
ferences at a glance, and will show how much more 
vigorous must be the flight of the European scops 
than that of the Senegal species. 
The colouring and markings of the species of 
this group are remarkably alike ; there are two from 
Java and one from Brazil, which in this respect 
are as similar to S. Europceus as is the present 
bird. 
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