BOOBOOK OWL. 
smaller in size and. paler in colour. In Tasmania this species is seldom seen, 
while it is very common throughout the whole of the southern portion of 
the continent. It appears to inhabit alike the brushes and those plains 
which are studded with belts of trees. It is no unusual occurrence to observe 
it on the wing in the daytime in search of insects and small birds, upon 
which it mainly subsists. . . . The flight of this bird is tolerably rapid ; 
and as it passed through the shrubby trees that cover the vast area of the 
belts of the Murray, it strongly reminded me of a woodcock. In such places 
travellers frequently flush it from off the ground, to which, after a flight of 
one or two hundred yards, it either descends again or takes shelter in any 
thickly-foliaged trees that may be at hand.” 
While of the latter {maculata) clelandi he stated : 
“ This species is very generally distributed over Tasmania ; it also 
inhabits South Australia and New South Wales, but in far less numbers. 
It generally takes up its abode in the thickly -foliaged trees of the woods and 
gullies, usually selecting those that are most shielded from the heat and light 
of the sun, spending, like the diurnal species, the entire day in a state of 
drowsiness, from which, however, it can be easily aroused. Its visual powers 
are sufficiently strong to enable it to face the light, and even to hunt for its 
food in the daytime. Like other members of the genus, it preys chiefly 
upon small birds and insects, which, from the more than ordinary rapidity 
of its movements, are captured with great facility.” 
I have no notes regarding the typical (New South Wales) form, so 
extract the following from the Aust Mus. Spec. Cat, No. 1, Vol. III. : 
“ Mr. Geo. Savidge writes : ‘ The Boobook Owl is fairly common in aU 
parts of the Clarence Biver District, and may be heard on the flats bordering 
the river, as well as on the edges of the dense scrubs further inland. The 
nesting-place is not often found. ... In the daytime it passes most of its 
time in some hollow tree or spout, also in the crevices of rocks and in sh^dy 
trees.’ Mr. H. L. White from Belltrees, Scone, N.S.W., adds : ‘ Ninox 
boobook is fairly plentiful in the Upper Hunter District, but more often heard 
than seen, of course. It is still the popular belief that the Podargus, and 
not this bird, utters the well-known cry of “ More Pork.” Occasionally the 
Boobook Owl appears in the garden here, just before dark, and busily employs 
itself in catching insects, mostly on the wing. For some years a pair of these 
birds lived close to the house, and became very tame, but unfortunately 
one day they were startled from their nesting-place in a dense bush, flew 
into a tree near the Pigeons, and were promptly shot in mistake for hawks.’ 
Mr. K. H. Bennett from Mossgiel, N.S.W., observed in 1886 : ‘ Ninox boobook 
is occasionally met with here, but is by no means numerous. During the 
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