Scops whiteheadi Grant, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club. (1895), 4, 40;
Ibis (1895), 440; Whitehead, Ibis (1899), 97; Sharpe, Hand-List
(1899), 1, 287.
Otus whiteheadi McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 46.
Luzon (Whitehead).
Description.--"This remarkably fine new species is most nearly
related to Scops everetti of Tweeddale, from the Island of Mindanao,
but it is very much larger, and is, in fact, the largest Scops at
present known to inhabit the Old World. The feathering on the tarsi
extends over the basal joints of toes; the light cross-bars on the
inner webs of the quills are much less conspicuous; and the middle
of the lower breast and belly is uniform whitish buff, in marked
contrast to the sides. Both the gray and rufous phases of plumage
are represented. Adult male. Length, 241 to 254; wing, 185 to 188;
tail, 91 to 94; tarsus, 42. Adult female. Length, 279 to 289; wing,
195 to 203; tail, 99 to 102; tarsus, 42 to 48." (Grant.)
"Iris golden brown; bill brownish white, tipped with white; feet dull
white, nails white." (Whitehead.)
Known from Whitehead's specimens only, which were collected in Lepanto,
northern Luzon.