STRIGIDxE — THE OWLS. 



55 



the larger, more wliitish, spots on primaries, and more distinct tail-bands, 

 of asio. 



The Scops kennirotti must, liowever, be recognized as a well-marked geo- 

 graphical race, and, not taking into consideration any natural laws which 

 influence changes in species, it would be very proper to recognize the valid- 

 ity of the present bird. If, however, the rule of which we speak will apply 





Scojis asto, Tar. Icennicotti, 



to others, as indeed it does to a majority of the birds of the region inhab- 

 ited by the Scojis kcrmicofti, the extreme conditions of some species of 

 whicli are even more widely different than in the present instance, and 

 which have been referred to their lighter representatives in consequence 

 of the applicability of this law, we cannot possibly do otherwise with it. 



In general appearance, size, and proportions, as well as in pattern and 

 tints of coloration, except in their details, there is a wonderfidly close resem- 

 blance in this race of S. asio to the aS". semitorques, Schlegel, of Japan. In- 

 deed, it is probable that the latter is also a mere geographical form of the 

 same species. The only tangible points of difference are that in semitoi-qiies 

 the jagulum is distinctly white centrally, there is a quite well-defined lighter 

 nuchal band, with a more indistinct occipital one above it, and the pencil- 

 lings on the lower parts are more delicate. The size and proportions are 

 essentially the same ; the shades of color are identical, while the markings 

 differ only in minute detail, their pattern being essentially the same. In 

 kennicotti the liglit nuchal collars are indicated, thougli tliey do not approach 

 the distinctness slmwu by them in scmitorcpvcs. Should they be considered 



