THE PIGMY OWL'S NEST. 31 



Californicum.* There can be no doubt that the 

 two names, Strix infuscata and Strix passeri- 

 noides, were used by Temminck to designate 

 the same species, which is strictly from South 

 America, and quite distinct from our little friend, 

 though closely allied. The name Glaucidium gno- 

 ma, used by Wagler,! adopt as having precedence. 



Its specific characters need not be given here, 

 being readily obtainable by referring to any of 

 the list of works quoted in the synonyms. I may 

 mention, however, that the grand and marked 

 specific differences, as distinguishing this from 

 the South American species, are that in G. gnonia 

 the toes are naked, the colour generally lighter, 

 and the size somewhat less. Total length of male, 

 7 inches ; wings, 3^> inches ; tail, 3 inches. The 

 sexes are very nearly alike, but the female is rather 

 the larger, and more thickly spotted with white. 



Early in May two small eggs were laid 

 round, and very rough on the surface a large 

 knot-hole in the branch of the oak being selected 

 as the nesting-place. Not a particle of anything 

 was used as lining, the eggs being deposited on 

 the bare wood. The length of time occupied in 

 incubation I regret inability to state, having to 

 shift my camp some distance away soon after the 

 * 'Proceedings Zoological Society,' 1857, page 4. 



