Ordo R aptores.
Fam. Strigidaí.
Genus O t u s , Ciw.
T a b . I I I .
OTUS B ENGAL ENS I S .
O t. p a llid e ru fe s c e n s ,fu s c o alboque u n d id a tim v a r ie g a tu s ; nuchce p e c to r isq u e p h im is in medio s tr ig d
la ta b ru n n eo -n ig rá n o ta t i s ; abd om in e fu s c o g r a c ilite r f a s c i a t o ; r cm ig ih u s re c tric ibusque
late ra lih iis p ro p e apic em hrunneo fa s c ia t is , h is med iis p e r to tam lo n g itu d in em s im ilite r
n o ta tis .
L o n g itu d o corporis, 1 p e d . 8 u n c . ; a la , 1 p c d . ; caudce, u n c . ; ta r s i, 4.
T he first notice of this remarkable bird is in the “ General History o f Birds ” of Dr. Latbam, who seems
inclined to consider it a variety of the gre a t Eagle Oivl rather than as a distinct species. Ttie fine collection
o f Birds brought from India by Major Franklin of the Hon. 1C. I. C. S., contained a specimen of this species
which he considered as possessing characters sufficient to warrant its being sej)arated as a new species, an
opinion with which a repeated and minute examination o f several sj)ecimens leads us to coincide. Tlie range
o f this fine Owl appears to be very extensive, being generally and ra the r 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 a t our disjiosa! 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 o f large and small
sticks ; the female laying two large eggs mottled with black reddish-brown and white. Its native name in the
Doon, is Hok ra* Clieel-, the natives considering it among the Clieel or K ite genus, and affirming that it is
strong enough, and does in fact attack and kill wild cats.”
The irides o f this bird are represented in Mr. Shore’s Drawings of a yellow colour, and they are described
by Col. Sykes f as having the “ external margin dark orange, gradually changing to yellow a t the internal
margin.” I t may be observed that the species o f Owls wliich have a bright his, such as our short-eared
and Scops Owls, are diurnal in their habits ; and the observation may be extended to the present Sjiecies.
Col. Sykes states that he has a t all times seen the species in full activity by day; so much so that he has
on several occasions chased them unsuccessfuUy a t that time ; a circumstance which rarely happens among
the nocturnal species. Tlie name Cheel or Kite , originally ajiplied 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, th a t the favourite haunts of these birds are extensive jilains, where tliey may
be generally seen seated on large stones. At other times however, but rarely, he has observed them in glens
and more secluded places. Tlieir favourite food, lie adds, is rats ; but he has met, a t times, witli crustácea
and birds in their stomachs. Their Mahrattcc name is Goobur.
* Ilokra ¡3 tlie name of a district in the Himalayan range. t Proceed, of Zool. Soc. Part II. p. f