SCOPS BAKKAMUNA. 
187 
But that which clearly defines the Plate to be a representation of a Ceylonese bird is the faithful drawing of the well- 
known plant, the Gloriosa superba, which is depicted (not in conformity, however, with its nature) as entwining 
the dead tree on which the Owl is perched. In a footnote at p. 13 is contained a lengthy dissertation on the 
poisonous properties of the Gloriosa superba root, proving that Forster was dealing, both as regards bird and botany, 
with that which pertained to Ceylon. 
Mr. Hume considers the Ceylon bird identical with the Indian species entitled S. griseus by Jerdon, and which is 
united with 13. malabaricus of the same author by Mr. Sharpe. 
Distribution . — This Scops Owl, which, next to the Fish-Owl, is the commonest of its family in Ceylon, is 
widely diffused throughout the island. It is, however, located more numerously in the western and southern 
portions than elsewhere, and wherever it is found is commoner near the sea-coast than in the interior. At 
Negombo, Colombo, and Galle, and the districts adjacent to these localities, it is, for an Owl, decidedly 
numerous. About the capital it is so common that it may he heard nightly, by those acquainted with its note, 
about the cocoanut-plantations in Colpetty and Slave Island, and even frequents the Fort. A little colony, 
which divided their quarters between the large trees in Queen’s House Gardens and the old S Uriah’s which 
formerly stood in front of the new buildings in Chatham Street, several times came under my notice while I 
was stationed at Colombo. In the Fort of Galle it likewise frequented the most public places, being often seen 
in the rows of trees near the Master Attendant’s house. Throughout the Galle district, as far inland as the 
Hinedun Pattu, it is common. In the South-east and Eastern Province it is less frequent, and further north, 
at Trincomalie, it is not at all common. Layard records it from the J affna peninsula, whence I have myself 
seen skins. Mr. Holdsworth found it at Aripu, in the Manaar district. In the lower hills about Kandy, 
and localities from there to about 3000 feet elevation, it occurs ; but I do not think it has been noticed much 
above that height. 
On the continent this species of Scops Owl inhabits various parts of the peninsula of India, being common 
in the south. It does not appear to extend eastward into Burmah and Malayana, where it is represented by 
the allied species 8. lempigi of Horsfield. It is included by Captain Butler in his list of birds from the 
Mount Aboo district ; but it does not appear to be found further south in the Khandala and Western Deccan 
region. In the northern parts of India it is abundant, according to Mr. Hume, who remarks, m c Nests and 
Eggs,’ “ that it is widely distributed throughout the Punjaub, the North-western Provinces, Rajpootana, the 
Central Provinces, and Oudh.” I observe, however, that Mr. Ball does not record it from Chota Nagpur, 
which province hounds the Central Provinces on the north-east. 
Habits. — Forster’s Scops Owl frequents cultivated country and the neighbourhood of towns and villages. 
It is found in the plantations of the natives, in their cocoanut-gardens, in low jungle, bamboo-thickets, and 
even in old buildings. About Colombo it is well known, being frequently heard from the verandahs of the 
Colpetty and Slave-Island bungalows uttering its monosyllabic note in the surrounding cocoanut-trees. In 
the country it takes refuge in thickets and low jungle, and is partial to the deep shade afforded by bamboo 
cheena.” In this latter it roosts on the horizontal branches of the “ bataliya,” beneath a thick canopy of tangled 
branches ; while in the vicinity of human habitations it hides in holes of trees or in old buildings. It sleeps 
heavily, and has but limited powers of vision by day, for it may be approached within a few yards before 
perceiving that it is observed ; when thus roused it flies off swiftly, quickly realighting, and turning round its 
head in the direction of its disturber, erects its ears and regards him with a fixed stare. It is by no means 
shy at nights, allowing itself to be shouted at when seated in a shady tree, uttering its monotonous ivhok note 
before taking flight. It usually frequents thickly-foliaged trees at night, about which it captures moths and 
beetles, taking them, according to Layard, on the wing. I have found its stomach to contain lizards as well 
as Coleoptera. It is strictly nocturnal in its habits, not issuing forth from its hiding-place before dusk, and it 
then resorts to the shade of thick trees and utters its monosyllabic note for some time. Layard says that 
this is changed “ when flying to wah-ha wah-hd, quickly uttered and mingled with a tremulous cry.” A pair 
of nestlings, referred to above, which I had for some little time displayed several interesting habits. They 
huddled together in one corner of their box, and when awakened during the day made a rapid stamping with 
their feet, consisting of some half a dozen blows delivered with such rapidity that there was no appreciable 
