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Show \48 MR. J. 11. GURNEY ON ABYSSINIAN BIRDS. [Feb. 21, observed both in a state of nature, entertains the contrary opinion (ride 'Observations on the Geology and Zoology ot Abyssinia, p. 294), though there is no doubt that the two races, if distinct, are at least closely allied. Accipiter br achy dactylus of Swainson is certainly identical with A. sphenurus of Riippell. P. 210. BUBO ASCALAPHUS, Savig. I have examined the specimen to which Dr. Finsch has assigned this name ; and it appears to m e not to belong to that species, but to the nearly allied B. capensis. To this species the type specimen ot Bubo dilloni, Des Murs, which is preserved in the Museum ot the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, where I have examined it, is also referable. P. 210. BUBO LACTEUS, Temm. Mr. Jesse notes the iris of this species as " bright yellow," which 1 venture to think is an error, as in all the specimens which have at different times been exhibited in the Society's Menagerie the iris has been very dark brown. In this respect this Owl agrees with all the other species of the subgenus ISydadus, to which it belongs, as well as with those of the Asiatic subgenus Huhua, with wdiich 1 am disposed to think that Nydaetus may be properly united. P. 319. BUBO MACULOSUS (Vieill.). Dr. Finsch considers that B. cinerascens of Guerin is not distinct from B. maculosus ; but I feel convinced that if he had had the opportunity of comparing living specimens of the two species, which 1 have had more than once in the Society's Menagerie, he would have arrived at a contrary conclusion. Independently of other differences, the iris in B. maculosus is bright yellow, whereas in B. cinerascens it is very dark brown-the latter bird belonging, like B. lacteus, to the subgenus Nydaetus. P. 210. SCOPS SENEGALENSIS. The specimen which Dr. Finsch refers to Scops senegalensis appears to me to belong to the nearly allied but more southern species S. lutipennis (Licht.)-a race which is constantly distinguished by a blackish-grey tint over the whole plumage, which is very marked in Mr. Jesse's specimen, and which I have never seen in Scops senegalensis. Mr. Jesse's bird is the only example I have seen of SCOJJS lutipennis from any locality north of the equator. P. 235. THAMNOLiEA ALBISCAPULATA, Riipp. Dr. Finsch has the following remark under this head : - " This species has often been erroneously confounded with the southern T. cinnamomeiventris, Lafr., a very nearly allied but very different species. The north-eastern T. albiscapulata is distinguished hy having the upper and undei tail-coverts black, the latter being only cinnamomeous at the base, whereas in T. cinnamomeiventris these |
