Birds from British East Africa. 517 
149. Phasmoptynx capensis. African Short-eared Owl. 
Phasmoptynx capensis Kanp. 
Bill and claws very dark grey. 
On the Kauti Plains this Short-eared Owl was rather 
common, and we used to put it up out of the thin grass when 
riding or walking across the flats ; it was never seen 
perching on a tree. We did not find this species anywhere 
else. 
150. Bubo lacteus. Verreaux's Eagle-Owl. 
Bubo lacteus Temm. 
Iris brown ; hill light greenish-grey ; feet white. 
Verreaux's Eagle-Owl was not uncommon, and generally 
seen by the sides of rivers amongst the tall trees. One day 
we saw three Egyptian Kites mobbing one in a tree. 
151. Bubo cineraceus. Cineraceous Eagle-Owl. 
Bubo cineraceus Guer. 
Bill and claws black. 
This species was very common in the thickly wooded 
dongas round Theki. I put five out of one small tree. 
152. Scops capensis. Cape Scops Owl. 
Scops capensis Smith. 
Iris bright yellow ; bill light grey; claws dark grey. 
This species was only seen once. A female was shot, 
sitting on the exposed bough of a tree in broad sunlight, 
near the Athi River, on February 3rd. It was very small, 
and I hoped would prove to be Scops Uganda ; however, it 
was S. capensis, and was the only example of the species 
which we got. 
153. Falco biarmicus. African Lanner. 
Falco biarmicus Temm. 
Iris light brown ; bill yellow at base, tip blue; feet 
The African Lanner was not uncommon, but very shy, 
and seldom came within gunshot. Three examples were 
obtained at Kallima Theki: two old males and an immature 
female. 
2 M 
SER. ix.—VOL. in. 
