7 6 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Anchieta has shot specimens at Bib alia, Macon jo and Gambos, as
well as at Huilla in Benguela, in which latter district Mr. MonteirO
also procured it. The present species extends its range into Angola
proper, having^been met with at Pungo Andongo by Anchieta and
in Duque do Braganzaby Senor Bayao.
Mr. Gurney considers that the South African Scops owl is a
distinct species both from Scops giu and Scops senegalensis, and some
excellent remarks on this subject will be found from his pen in
Anders son’s “ Birds of Damara Land,” (p. 39).
This species is distinguished from the other South African Owls
by its small size and mottled plumage, the general colour being a
dark grey, finely pencilled with black cross-lines: it has distinct
ear-tufts, and is slightly paler below with more white on the abdomen
than on the breast. Total length, 7‘5; wing, 5'3; tail, 2'6; tarsus, 0'95.
70. Syrnium w o o d f o r d i . Woodford’s Owl.
Not common, but has a wide range in the colony. Its food consists
of small quadrupeds, birds, insects, &c. We have received two
specimens from the Knysna, procured by the late Mr. Yillet in that
neighbourhood; but know nothing of its habits.. Victor in also met
with it in the last mentioned locality in May and October, and one
specimen was procured at Port Elizabeth by Mr. Browning. While
in the Zambesi country a single example was shot by the late Dr.
Dickerson at Chibisa, and Mr. Gurney has received two specimens
from Natal.
Male —All the upper parts very dark reddish umber, variegated
with white spots, and sienna-coloured and white bars. Wings
generally yellowish brown, marked with dark bars, and yellowish,
white blotches. Collar white, with brown bars. When lying smooth,
the breast and belly appear alternately in bars of white and reddish
pale brown. Tail reddish brown, barred with pale brown. '
Female.—Everywhere of a much lighter colour. Length, 131'';
wing, 9” ; tail, 6".
Iris “ dark brown” as observed by Mr. Ayres—“ light brown” as
noted by Dr. Dickerson—“ yellow” according to Sir A. Smith. Bill,
cere and feet light yellow. (Ayres.)
Fig. Smith, 111. Zool. S. Air. pi. 71.
carine p e r ia ta . 77
71. Ca r in e c a pe n s is . Barred Owlet.
(Plate III.)
Athene capensis, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 37. (1867.)
The few specimens known to Dr. A. Smith were all killed in
forests in the Cape Colony. Personally we have not met with i t ;
neither does M. Victorin appear to have found it at the Knysna. Mr.
Ortlepp writes : “ I hear they are not uncommon in the woods which
margin both banks of the.Vaal River, where we procured one specimen
on the 1st of May about noon. It was asleep on one of the topmost
branches of a high tree, and looked more like a small ball of moss
than a bird. Its stomach was filled with some soft stuff which
looked like the soft rind of the ‘ wait-a:bit’ thorn-berry, and numerous
small bones (quite entire and clean) of mice, upon which they
commence to prey as soon as the twilight darkens into night. Irides
light yellow.” Mr. Andersson observes as follows :—“ This, I
apprehend, is a very scarce bird in Damara Land, as I saw but very
few specimens in all my travels. I have never observed it in Great
Namaqua Land.” Mr. Gurney states that in Mr. Andersson’s last
collection were a pair of birds from the Cunene and another specimen
from Ovampo Land. Dr. Kirk obtained it in the Shire valley,
opposite the village of Chibisa in October, and says it was “ not un-
frequent in wooded country near the open plains.”
Head and neck red chestnut-brown, with imperfect white bars ;
from neck to end of tail umber brown, glossed with purple; some
feathers have large white blotches, others yellowish bars; wings
similarly coloured and variegated. Breast, of all these colours, but
each paler. Belly white, with large brown blotches ; under part of
tail pale-coloured; legs white, faintly marked in brown. Length, 8
wing, 5" 9 " '; tail, 3J".
The figure is taken from the type in the British Museum.
72. Ca r in e . perlata. African Pearl-spotted Owlet.
Athene licua, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 38. (1867.)
This species is not plentiful in the Cape Colony, and when the
first edition was written had not fallen under our notice, but as will
be seen below it is by no means uncommon in the interior of South
Africa. Mr. Ortiepp obtained this pretty little Owl to the north of
Oolesberg, and Mr. T. C. Atmore procured a pair on the Vaal River.