E A S T ERN GREA T HORNED OWL.
Bubo Ascalaphus.
Le Hibou Ascalaphus.
T his fine species of horned Owl would appear to represent in the temperate portions of Asia and Africa, the
Bubo maximus of Norway, Russia, &c.; and if we mistake not the Otus (Bubo) Bengalensis of our “ Century
of Birds” must rank as synonymous with the present species. In Europe the eastern and southern portions
appear to be the only parts visited by the Bubo Ascalaphus, M. Temminck giving Sicily and Sardinia as places
in which it has been observed.
Of the habits and manners of this species nothing has been placed on record, nor are we able to afford any
information on the subject. Specimens have been sent to the Zoological Society by Sir Thomas Reade from
Tunis, and a single individual formed a part of the collection made during the late expedition to the Euphrates.
Feathers of the facial disk buffy white terminated with black; crown of the head dark brovyn, each feather
irregularly edged and terminated with buffy white; feathers surrounding the neck deep buff, becoming paler
at the tip, and with an irregular mark of dark brown down the centre ; the remainder of the upper surface,
wings and tail dark brown, irregularly blotched with reddish buff, pale buff and lighter brown ; all the under
surface deep buff, the feathers on the centre of the abdomen being much paler and crossed with several fine
and irregular bars of brown at their extremities; feathers of the legs deep buff, becoming much paler on the
front of the tarsi and on the toes; bill and claws black.
We have figured an adult male nearly of the natural size, from a specimen forwarded to us by M. Temminck.