66 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Sir Jolm rticliardson speaks of it as not uncommon in the Arctic regions. 

 It is abundant in Canada, and throughout all parts of the United States. 

 Dr. Gambel met with it also in large numbers in the wooded regions of 

 Upper California. Dr. Heermann found it very common around Sacra- 

 mento in 1849, but afterwards, owing to the increase in population, it had 

 become comparatively rare. Dr. Woodhouse met with it in the Indian 

 Territor}', though not abundantly. Lieutenant Couch obtained specimens in 

 Mexico, and Mr. Schott in Texas. 



In the regions ncn-thwest of the Yukon Eiver, Mr. Robert Kennicott found 

 a pair of these birds breeding on the 10th of April. The female was pro- 



Bubo vir!:inianus. 



cured, and proved to be of a dark plumage. The nest, formed of dry spruce 

 branches retaining their leaves, was placed near the top of a large green 

 spruce, in thick woods. It was large, measuring three or four feet across at 

 base. The eggs were placed in a shallow depression, which \^■as lined with a 

 few feathers. Two more eggs were found in the ovary of the female, — one 

 broken, the other not larger than a musket-ball. The eggs were frozen on 

 their way to the fort. Mr. Ross states that he found this (])wl very abun- 

 dant around Great Slave Lake, but that it became less common as they 

 proceeded farther north. It was reniarkalily plentiful in the marshes around 



