HABITS 
This recently discovered nocturnal denizen of our forests has come to sue 
a limited extent under any one’s notice, that it is not in my power to place 
on record much concerning its economy* It has shewn itself to be an inha¬ 
bitant of forest jungle, out of which it evidently strays at night in search 
of food, and like many other owls, when unable or too late to return to its 
usual haunts, hides where it best can on estates, in isolated trees, or old 
buildings, and owing to its completely nocturnal habits, and imperfect day 
sight, falls an easy victim to any one with eyes sharp enough to discover it 
Mr Reeves’ specimen was taken in an old coolie hut. Mr Weldon writes to 
Mr Whyte - "This bird was caught by a coolie in a tree in the day time on my 
estate, and is the second of the kind he has caught here. It was put on a 
perch in a dark room, but refused to eat, and died after two or three days’ 
confinement. " The bird brought by natives to Mr Hector’s superintendent 
appears to have been taken in the same way, being the third instance of cap¬ 
ture by hand during the day. Mr Hector in a letter kindly written to me 
after my departure from Ceylon throws some light on the nature of this owl. 
He says, in speaking of the brood of young birds, •There were three ap¬ 
parently of different ages, as the largest very much exceeded the other two, 
which also differed considerably in size* The largest was about the size <r 
of our ordinary quail, with a flattish shaped head. It seemed a vicious 
bird, as it used to peck the other two continually, and one day I found it 
had pulled many of the feathers out of the smallest, and seemed to be trying 
to tear its flesh, so that I had to separate them *. 
Unlike most owls; it does not seem to thrive in confinement. Mr Reeves 
writes me concerning his bird that it live about a week and was tea on liz¬ 
ards and small fish caught in a neighbouring stream, and .preferred tne lat¬ 
ter to anything else. With regard to the note of this species, it may or 
may not be the author of the hideous sounds attributed to the Devil Bird; dul 
I have no authentic information as to,any of its cries. 
NIDIFICATION 
The Ceylon Bay Owl appears to breed In the latter end of the year, nest¬ 
ing in hollow trees. Mr Hector writes me that ’The nest was made in a hole 
In a tree, and was composed of dry twigs, moss, and feathers." The number 
of eggs In this was three, so that they may be inferred to vary from two to 
four, as in some other species of owls. 
The Owl depicted on the right of the spectator Is drawn with the wings 
Slightly drooped in order to shew the characteristic dark inner portions of 
the quills. — 
