59.82 
Article XVII. THREE NEW GENERA OF BIRDS. 
By W. DEWtrrr MILER. 
Stringonax gen. nov. 
Type Bubo blakistont Seebohm. 
Related to Ketupa but differing in the form of the bill which has a broad, shallow 
groove running forwards from each nostril, the sides of the maxilla below this depres- 
sion being swollen; the tarsus densely clothed to base of toes with short, soft, downy 
or fur-like feathers, instead of being conspicuously bare for a greater or less distance 
above the toes; the spicules on under side of toes less pronounced. 
The type of this genus and its near ally S. doerriest Seebohm, though 
heretofore referred to Bubo (even by Hartert, as late as 1913, in ‘ Der Végel 
der palaarktischen Fauna’) bear no close relationship to that genus but on 
the contrary, as noted by Ridgway (Birds of N. and M. Amer., Pt. VI, 
p. 737) are very distinct generically. They are undoubtedly most closely 
related to the Fish Owls, Ketupa, of which they are doubtless the northern 
representatives. 
In addition to the diagnostic characters cited above, the species of 
Stringonax differ from those of Ketwpa in superior size, being the largest of 
all Owls though considerably surpassed by Huhua nipalensis and Scotopelia 
peli, at least, in the size of the bill, feet and claws. 
The affinity with the Oriental Fish Owls, Ketupa, and the Ethiopian Fish 
Owls, Scotopelia, is shown in the compressed claws, with sharp, knife-like 
posterior edge, the spiculate soles, the fur-like character of the tarsal plum- 
age and the unfrayed outer edge of the outermost primary. In coloration 
there is a striking resemblance to Ketupa. Ketupa flampes (which I have 
not seen), the northeastern representative of its genus, shows a significant 
approach to Stringonaz in larger size and much more extensively feathered 
tarsus. 
From the genera Bubo, Huhua and Pseudoptynz, which are closely related 
inter se, Stringonax differs in form of bill, character of tarsal plumage, spicu- 
late toes, knife-like claws (which are relatively shorter and less attenuated), 
unfrayed edge of outer primary (approached by Pseudoptynxz) and colora- 
tion. It further differs from Bubo in the perfectly bare toes and shorter 
outer primary, from Huhua in relatively smaller bill, feet and claws, and 
from Pseudoptynz in form of tail. From Scotopelia it may at once be distin- 
guished by its feathered tarsus and the presence of conspicuous ear-tults. 
Furthermore, the nostril differs in form and position, the tail is relatively 
much shorter, and the toe spicules are blunter. 
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