RAPTORES STR1G1DAE B. V1RGINIANUS VAE. ARCTICUS. 407 



BUBO VIRGINIANUS (Gmel.), var. ARCTICUS, Swains. 



Western Great Horned Owl. 



Ktrix (Bubo) arctica, SWAINS., Fu. Bor.-Am., ii, 1831, 86. 



Bubo virginianus var. arcticus, COUES, Key N. A. Birds, 1872, 202. BD., BKEW., & 

 RIDG., N. A. Birds, iii, 1874, GO, 64. HENSHAW, Rep. Oru. Specs., 1873, 

 Wheeler's Exped., 1874, 91, 136. COUES, Birds North west, 1874, 301. 



Btibo virginianus, WOODH., Sitgreave's Exp. Zuui & Col. Riv., 1854, 62. NEWB., P. 

 R. R. Rep., vi, 1857, 76. BD., U. S. & Mex. Bound. Surv., ii, pt, ii, 1859, 

 Birds, 4 (Devil's River, Texas). KENNERLY, P. R. R. Rep., Whipple's 

 Route, x, 1859, 19. HEERM., P. R. R. Rep., x, pt. iv, 1859, 34. XANTUS, 

 Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1859, 190 (Fort Tejon, Cal.). BD., Proc. Acad. 

 Nat. Sci. Phila., 1859, 302 (Cape Saint Lucas). HENRY, Proc. Acad. Nat. 

 Sci. Phila., 1859, 105 (New Mexico). COOP. & SUCKL., P. R. R. Rep., xii, pt. 

 ii, 1860, 154. HAYD., Trans. Am. Phil. Soc., xii, 1862, 153. COUES, Proc. 

 Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1866, 49 (Fort Whipple, Ariz.). 



The only specimen taken is quite typical of the paler, grayer race, 

 which represents the Horned Owl in the West. In Arizona, the species was 

 very abundant, and scarcely a camp was made but we were aware of 

 the presence of these owls by their loud hootings through the night. Dur- 

 ing the day, they remain hidden in the deep, dark canons, or among the thick 

 foliage of the largest cottonwoods. 



It occurs throughout the West generally, and was seen by myself and 

 others of our parties in Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. Its usual habit 

 is to remain quiet during- the day, and commence its hunting forays just 

 after dusk. This owl, however, enjoys most excellent vision in the brightest 

 hours of day, and if disturbed in its retreat flies boldly out, and requires 

 very careful stalking ere it can be killed. While caring for its young, I am 

 inclined to believe that it hunts indifferently by day and night. 



GLAUCIDIUM PASSERINUM (Linn.), var. CALIFORNICUM, Sclat. 

 California!! Pigmy Owl, 



Glaucidium californicum, SCLAT., Proc. Zoo'l. Soc. Lond., 1857, 4. 



Glaucidium passerinum var. californicum, RIDG. ajntd COUES, Key N. A. Birds, 1872, 



206. BD.. BREW., & RIDO., N. A. Birds, iii, 1874, 81. HENSHAW, Rep. 



Oni. Specs., 1873, Wheeler's Exped., 1874, 136. COUES, Birds Northwest, 



1874, 317. 



