BUBO NIPALENSIS. 
133 
the transverse markings of the head to marginal indentations are precisely similar to the like conditions in the 
Himalayan bird. Should further investigation, aided by the examination of a larger number of fully adult birds 
than 1 have been able to get together, lead to the discrimination of the insular race as altogether a smaller one 
than the North-Indiau, I would propose the specific name of hlighi for the former, as Mr. Bligh was, I believe, 
the first to procure, or, at any rate, to bring to the notice of ornithologists, the species in Ceylon. An inspection 
of Jerdou’s figure of U. pectoralis in the ‘ Madras Journal,’ 1839, vol. x., and a perusal of the description in the 
text of the lower plumage, does not strengthen the conviction of its identity with the Ceylon bird. The drawing 
shows a band across the chest, formed by a brownish ground-colour, and not by a coalescing of the bars, such as 
is never seen in the youngest of Ceylonese spociinens. The description (p. 89) is in part as follows : — “ Beneatli 
white, feathers barred with brown, numerously on the throat, less so on the belly and vent, and the bars are larger 
and take an arrow-headed form ; a narrow pectoral band of brown with a golden tinge, and edged buff as above.' 
The latter characteristic is not represented in Ceylon specimens, and reads as if it had been an abnormal one 
in Jerdon’s bird. With regard to the superior size of Himalayan nipalensis, 3 adult examples in the British 
and Norwich Museums, irrespective of sex (which is not recorded on the labels), measure in the wing 17'. 5, 18'0, 
and 18‘2 inches. In the Norwich example there is an extra bar on the feathers of the lower surface, which 
peculiarity likewise exists in Mr. Laurie’s bird, described above. 
Distribution . — This splendid Owl, the largest and most powerful of its tribe in Ceylon, is a pretty general 
inhabitant of the mountain-region of the island from about the level of the Dumbara valley to the upper 
ranges. I have never met with any examples of it from the southern coffee-districts, but have no doubt that 
it occurs there, and that it may have not unfrequently been killed on the estates in that part of the island. 
In the Kandyan Province it has been procured in the districts of Matale, Kalebokka, Dumbara, Pusselawa, 
Maskeliya, and Ilaputale. It is, however, a comparatively recent addition to the avifauna of Ceylon, having 
been added to the list of birds by Mr. Holdsworth in his catalogue dated 1872. The specimens brought under 
his notice were procured by Mr. S. Bligh in 1867 in the Kandyan district ; and this gentleman has therefore 
the credit of discovering this line addition to the Ceylon Strigidse. Among the several fine examples which 
have been procured since Mr. Bligh ’s first specimens are a female in magnificent plumage shot by Mr. Forbes 
Laurie in Kalebokka, an equally fine bird killed by Mr. C. Cobbold in Maskeliya, an adult female 
procured by Mr. Bligh at Lemastota, and a male killed by coolies on his estate at Catton, in addition to all 
which not a few specimens have found their way to the establishment of Messrs. Whyte and Co. in Kandy. 
An immature example from this source is now in the Colombo Museum, and another in the British Museum. 
I have no information of this species having ever been shot in the low country ; but doubtless on more extended 
research it will be found tolerably low down in the Peak forests, and I should not be at all surprised to see it 
occur in the ranges just above Gillymally. Elsewhere the Eagle-Owl is found in the Himalayas and the 
Nilghiris (if Jerdon’s pectoralis should prove not to be a good species). Eastward of India proper it ranges 
into Tenasserim. 
Habits . — This fine bird, as its English name implies, is a denizen of woods and forests ; in Ceylon, 
however, it is, on the w'hole, more partial to isolated patna-woods than to the gloomy interior of the large 
jungles, and is doubtless attracted thither by the abundance of bird-life in these cool and retired ravines. It 
is usually found roosting in shady trees in the most confined portions of patna-dells, down wdiicli sparkling- 
streams tumble, shut in by steep wooded banks. Should its retreat, as is often the case, border a coffee-estate, 
the Eagle-Owl levies contributions on the pigeons and poultry of the neighbouring bungalow, and falls a 
victim to the gun of the Dore. In such manner one of the above-mentioned examples was killed from the roof 
of his house by Mr. Cobbold in Maskeliya, after it had, as I am informed, decreased the population of tin* 
adjoining dove-cot. It is said to feed principally on birds, and very likely also preys on the large squirrels 
(Sciurus tennantii) common in the liill-jungles, occasionally perhaps killing hares, which are plentiful on most 
of the patnas in the Central Province. 
In the Himalayas Hodgson asserts that it kills pheasants, and sometimes fawns of the smaller species of 
deer. Its exceedingly powerful talons and massive legs would certainly enable it to capture as large animals as 
most Eagles. I believe it to be strictly nocturnal in its habits; and Doctor L. Holden, formerly of Deltota, 
who observed something of its habits, informed me that it was very shy, quickly taking flight in the day when 
