KETTJPA CEYLONENSIS. 
129 
insignificant water-hole ornamented with a solitary banyan, to its favourite haunt the huge Koombook-tree 
spreading its massive arms over the dried-up, sandy river-bed. 
In the Kandyan Province it follows the banks of the Mahawelliganga from the low country into the 
valley of Dumbara, being a well-known bird about Peradeniya, and occurs in the valley of this river, as well 
as in those of its affluents up to about 3000 feet. Mr. Laurie has procured it in Kalebokka, about the same 
elevation, and it is likewise found in the Badulla district. In the southern ranges I have met with it up 
to 2000 feet, and I have no doubt it occurs generally, though not in any numbers, throughout that hill- 
district. 
Elsewhere the Brown Eish-Owl is found throughout India in suitable spots, from the Himalayas to the 
extreme south, ranging into Assam, Arakan, and Burmah, as far south as the province of Tenasserim, beyond 
which it ceases to extend, being replaced in the Malayan peninsula by the smaller species K. javanensis, which 
likewise inhabits the Burmese kingdom. Concerning the Irrawaddy-delta district, Mr. Armstrong writes that 
this Owl is tolerably abundant in the thin forest-jungle surrounding the jheels between Elephant Point and 
China- Baker. In Cachar, Mr. Inglis records it as rather common; and about Thayetmyo and Tonghoo, 
Messrs. Feilden and Oates remark that it is also common. From Chota Nagpur Mr. Ball records it, and 
Mr. Fail-bank from the Sahyadri mountains. Jerdon says that it is found in the Nilghiris to a considerable 
elevation, being not rare in Otaeamund. Mr. Fairbank likewise has it from the Palani hills, although it has 
not yet been procured in the Travancore range. It does not appear to be found either in the Deccan or in 
Sindh. Beyond the limits of the Indian region Mr. Swinhoe has procured it near Hongkong; and in an 
equally remote locality to the west, viz. Palestine, Canon Tristram has found it. Its occurrence in these 
widely distant places is very remarkable. As regards the Holy Land, Canon Tristram writes, in ‘ The Ibis ’ 
for 1865, “ We can only point to one locality as the certain residence of this bird in Palestine.'’' It “ was 
found by us in the wild wooded glen of Wady cl Kurn, running up from the Plain of Acre. We discovered it 
accidentally, and at first took it for the Bubo ascalaphus, when it bolted out of the dense foliage of a great 
Carob-tree under which wc were standing ; we thus put up no less than four individuals in two days. 
Habits. This large Owl loves the vicinity of water, haunting the banks of rivers, tanks, inland salt 
lagoons, the borders of sea-bays, and woods surrounding rice-fields. All who have visited the tanks in the 
north and east of Ceylon must be familiar with this fine bird, which is so often surprised napping in the lofty 
trees growing on the embankments or so-called “ bunds." Its powers of vision in the day are not quick, but 
they are tolerably clear ; on hearing the footsteps of man, it raises its large ear-tufts, and, bending down its 
head, stares stolidly down from its lofty perch among the green boughs, and as soon as it becomes aware of 
the nature of the intruder on its retreat, hastily launches itself out of the tree, and is not easily approached a 
second time. It is much more common in wild forest country combined with water than in cultivated 
districts. It sallies out in the evening with great regularity. As soon as the sun begins to sink behind the 
surrounding forest, it may be noticed, flapping noiselessly round some secluded eheena, or leisurely crossing 
the lonely tank, resounding at the hour of sunset with the booming of innumerable frogs, to the nearest 
conspicuous tree, and there gives out its sepulchral groan. This gloomy salutation is usually responded to by 
its mate, who perches close at hand, and answers by a double note, the two lonesome sounds resembling the 
words gloom, oh-gloom. At night 1 have often heard these notes repeated by a pair without intermission for 
many minutes. Layard remarks that when alarmed during the day they utter a loud hiss, subsiding into a 
growl. They appear to have an accustomed place of roosting, for Mr. Holdsworth notices that they “perched 
day after day on the same branch." This is very often in an exposed situation, and it frequently falls to their 
lot to be mobbed by a flock of garrulous Bulbuls, King-Crows, and other Owl-hating small birds. Fish is the 
favourite food, and, in fact, the usual diet of this species ; but when this is not procurable, small mammals, 
reptiles, and even insects are devoured by them. In the stomach of one example I found a snake ( Haplocercus 
ccylonensis ) and some large beetles. As a proof of their miscellaneous diet, and also of their voracity, I may 
mention that a pair of Fish-Owls which were kept by Sir Charles Layard in the same aviary with a Brahminy 
Kite, fell one night upon their luckless companion, and, after slaughtering him, forthwith proceeded to devour 
him completely. Further, Mr. Hume records, in ‘ Nests and Eggs,’ finding the remains of quails, doves, and 
mvnahs in the nest of a pair on the Jumna ; and in ‘ Stray Feathers,' vol. v. p. 16, Mr. J. Inglis writes as 
s 
