Ninox spilocephala Tweeddale, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1878), 940;
Sharpe, Hand-List (1899), 1, 290; McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List
(1906), 47.
Basilan (Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, McGregor);
Mindanao (Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Celestino).
Adult.--Very similar to Ninox philippensis from which it differs in
having the head and neck spotted with rufous or tawny brown and the
white spots on primary- and secondary-coverts larger; decomposed
feathers below eye unusually long and entirely covering the true
ear-coverts. A male from Basilan is 230 in length; wing, 177; tail,
83; culmen from base, 22; tarsus, 26. Female, length, 230; wing, 158;
tail, 82; culmen from base, 21; tarsus, 28.
"Very common in the islands where it occurs. Hides among thick
vines or bushes during the day. Feeds on beetles, grasshoppers, and
the like. Iris yellow; legs and feet dirty, light yellow; bill pale
greenish horn-color. Ten specimens average, 214 in length; wing, 162;
tail, 76; culmen, 15; tarsus, 28; middle toe with claw, 22." (Bourns
and Worcester MS.)