NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 51 



A diurnal and crepuscular rather than a nocturnal species. The stomachs 

 of those individuals examined, contained the remains of orthopterous and 

 coleopterous insects. A permanent resident at Fort Whipple, but not very 

 abundant. 



MICRATHENE Coues, nov. gen. 



Generic Characters. Bill small and weak, compressed at the base, where it 

 is densely covered with recurved feathers terminating in stiff bristles ; out- 

 line of culmen and gonys moderately convex ; lower mandible obsoletely 

 notched. Facial disk not conspicuously defined, imperfect behind the eye. 

 Wings exceedingly long ; measuring from the carpal joint rather more than 

 two-thirds the total length of the body ; much rounded, the exposed portion 

 of the first primary only two-thirds that of the longest one ; third and fourth 

 longest, fifth but little shorter, second about equal to the sixth. Tail of mod- 

 erate length, not graduated : rectrices broad to their very tips. Tarsi of mod- 

 erate length, feathered only for a short distance below the tibio-tarsal joint ; 

 the rest of their extent, and the superior surface of the toes, clothed with 

 bristly hairs. Claws unusually small and weak, moderately curved ; the 

 outer one reaching a little beyond the base of the middle one ; the inner in- 

 termediate between outer and middle ones. Middle toe and claw about as 

 long as the tarsus. Hallux elongated. Of small size, being among the most 

 diminutive of known Owls. 



Type. A'hene Whitneyi, Cooper. * 



With the size and general aspect of Glaucidinm, this genus differs greatly 

 from it as follows: The bill is smaller, weaker, less strongly hooked and den- 

 tulated. The wings are much longer, and the tail much shorter. The tarsus 

 is unfeathered except for a short space superiorly. The claws are so small, 

 and weak as to be hardly more than insessorial rather than raptorial in char- 

 acter. The proportions of the tarsus and toes differ decidedly. Nor has it 

 much in common with Athene, except the partially denuded tarsi ; the rela- 

 tive prop irtions of the tarsus and toes to each other being quite different in, 

 the two genera ; Athene having the middle toe and claw about two-thirds the- 

 tarsus, instead of fully as long. The claws of Athene are very long, acute andi 

 little curved. While both genera are very long winged, there is a decided 

 difference in the shape of the wing; that of Athene being much the most 

 pointed, in consequence of the greater elongation of the first and second pri- 

 maries. I think it more than probable that Micrathene is a truly arboreal, 

 genus, like GUiacidtKin, thus differing radically in its habits from the species - 

 of Athene. 



In conversation with me Dr. Cooper intimated his belief that the bird was. 

 not a true Athene ; and my critical examination of his type, made at his own. 

 request, amply confirms the accuracy of his opinion. 



(36.) Micrathene Whitneyi (Cooper.) 



Athene Whitnet/i, Cooper, Pr. Cala. Acad. Nat. Sci., 1861, p 118. 

 For the discovery ot this delicate raptorial gem we are indebted tothe in- 

 defatigable Dr. J. G. Cooper, so long and well known as an excellent natural- 

 ist, who procured the only known specimen at Fort Mojave, April 26, 1861. 

 ft is unnecessary to add anything to the accurate description above cited. It 

 is one of the most interesting of the recent additions to our westera Avi-. 

 fauna. 



CUCUL1D.E. 



37. Geococcyx camfoknianus (Less.) Baird. 



Rare and seen on but few occasions at Fort Whipple, which is near its 

 northern and eastern limits, though specimens have been taken as far north 

 as the Colorado Chiquito River, by Dr. Kennerly. Very abundant in the 

 more southern and western portions of the Territory. Known as the " Chap- 



1866.1 



