Ordo RaAPprores.
Fam. STRIGID®.

Genus Orws, Cu.

Tas. ILI.
OTUS BENGALENSIS.

Ot. pallide rufescens, fusco alboque undulatim varregatus ; nuche pectorisque plumes in medio strig&
lata brunneo-nigra notatis ; abdomine fusco graciliter fasciato ; remigibus rectricibusque
lateralibus prope apicem brunneo fasciatis, his meds per totam longitudinem similiter
notatis.

Longitudo corporis, 1 ped. 8 unc.; ale, 1 ped. ; cauda, 62 unc. ; tarsz, 4.

Tue first notice of this remarkable bird is in the ‘‘ General History of Birds” of Dr. Latham, who seems
inclined to consider it a variety of the great Eagle Ow/ rather than as a distinct species. ‘The fine collection
of Birds brought from India by Major Franklin of the Hon. E. I. C. S., contained a specimen of this species
which he considered as possessing characters sufficient to warrant its being separated as a new species, an
opinion with which a repeated and minute examination of several specimens leads us to coincide. The range
of this fine Owl appears to be very extensive, being generally and rather abundantly found over the whole of
the low lands of India, as well as in the elevated range of the Himalayan Mountains, whence the present
specimen was received. ‘The very valuable MS., abounding in accurate and judicious remarks from personal
observation, which has been placed at our disposal by the kindness of its author, the Hon. F. J. Shore, gives
the following particulars. ‘‘ Killed in the Doon; builds in trees, the nest being composed of large and small
sticks ; the female laying two large eggs mottled with black reddish-brown and white. Its native name in the
Doon, is Hokra* Cheel; the natives considering it among the Cheel or Atte genus, and affirming that it is
strong enough, and does in fact attack and kill wild cats.”

The zrides of this bird are represented in Mr. Shore’s Drawings of a yellow colour, and they are described
by Col. Sykes} as having the ‘external margin dark orange, gradually changing to yellow at the internal
margin.” It may be observed that the species of Oz/s which have a bright zs, such as our short-eared
and Scops Owls, are diurnal in their habits; and the observation may be extended to the present species.
Col. Sykes states that he has at all times seen the species in full activity by day; so much so that he has
on several occasions chased them unsuccessfully at that time ; a circumstance which rarely happens among
the nocturnal species. The name Cheel or Kite, originally applied to a bird which preys by day, when
applied to the present species may probably refer to its diurnal habits.

Col. Sykes states in addition, that the favourite haunts of these birds are extensive plains, where they may
be generally seen seated on large stones. At other times however, but rarely, he has observed them in glens
and more secluded places. Their favourite food, he adds, is rats ; but he has met, at times, with erustacea
and birds in their stomachs. Their Mahrattee name is Goodur.

* Hokra is the name of a district in the Himalayan range. + Proceed. of Zool. Soc. Part II. p- Si.

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