BOOBOOK OWL. 
Spiloglaux novceseelandice novceseelandice (Gmelin). 
Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand. 
South Island of New Zealand. 
This is the darkest form above and below, the under-surface generally 
appearing striped with white. 
Spiloglaux novceseelandice venatica (Peale). 
Bay of Islands, New Zealand. 
North Island of New Zealand. 
This form is close to the South Island one, but the white markings on 
the under-surface, especially on the abdomen, take the form of spots, and 
consequently closely resemble the Tasmanian form. 
The names fulva Latham and fulva Forster, being founded on the same 
specimen as Gmelin’s name, faU as absolute synonyms. 
Spiloglaux novceseelandice hoobook (Latham). 
New South Wales. 
This name has been used for over one hundred years without question, 
yet it seems to be rather a doubtful one. As I cannot prove its invalidity 
at the present time, I maintain it, but with reserve. The hoobook of New 
South Wales is much paler above than the Neozelanic form, and has the 
under-surface striped with paler streaks, while the upper-surface is more 
spotted with white. It is easily distinguished from the Neozelanic bird, but 
there are forms in Australia just as distinct from it as it is from the type 
subspecies. 
Spiloglaux novceseelandice clelandi Mathews. 
Tasmania and Flinders Island. 
As noted previously by Vigors and Horsfield, this Owl is darker and 
smaller than boobook, and the under-surface is spotted with white, not striped 
as in that phase. This is so distinct from boobook that it has been continually 
regarded as a species, and no comparison has been made with the Neozelanic 
birds. As noted above, some specimens are, comparatively speaking, 
indistinguishable from the Northern race of the latter. From Victoria, 
“ maculata ” has been recorded more than once, and I have received 
specimens which closely resemble the Tasmanian form. Other birds from 
Victoria are of the boobook style, and at the time I received these I was of 
the opinion that two species must be confused. I therefore named these two 
forms as leacM and tregellasi, the former like maculata = clelandi ^ but larger, 
the latter more nearly agreeing with marmorata, but darker. I also named 
the Flinders Island bird, as it was much darker than the Tasmanian one. 
More material is needed to substantiate this island race, and I am neglecting 
it in this place, though my review of the species makes it appear probable 
VOL. V. 
329 
