the Serendib scops owl was a distinct species from other scops owl species found in India, and if so, whether it was actually a new discovery or a rediscovery. The species has been subsequently recognized as a valid and distinct species by two of the authors who had earlier speculated on its “taxonomic uncertainty” in the papers mentioned above, in their following works. Birds of Sri Lanka: A Tally List (2009) by C. D. Kaluthota and S. W. Kotagama. An Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka (2010) by S. W. Kotagama and G. Ratnavira. The question of ‘ear-tufts’ in this species, which has been misunderstood and led to questioning of its “taxonomic uncertainty” in the papers above, had already been dealt with at length in two articles at: http://ceylonbirdclub.org/articles-2006-11.php http://orientalbirdclub.org/birdingasia-6/ In culture This bird appears on the 20 Sri Lankan rupee bank note (2010 series). References Bibliography Rasmussen, P. & Anderton, J. (2005). Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide Lynx Edicions, Barcelona and Washington D.C. External links BirdLife Species Factsheet. Photographs of Serendib Scops Owl Otus (bird) Birds described in 2004 Birds of Sri Lanka Taxa named by Pamela C. Rasmussen