80 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



The genus is most largely developed witliiu tlie tropical regions, only one 

 species {G. passer inum) belonging to the cold temperate zone, and this is 

 found on both continents. They are the most robustly organized of all 

 Owls, and, for their size, are very predatory, as in the next genus {Micratliene), 

 though themselves liardly larger than a Sparrow, tiiey frecjuenlly feed upon 



Glaiiritlitim californicum. 



small birds, and, no doubt, often destroy the passerine species of nearly their 

 own size. Lilce the most of the group to wliich this genus belongs, they 

 are diurnal in their habits, and tiy about during the brightest sunshine. 

 They inhabit chielly dense forests, and, for this reason, are less well known 

 than the more easily accessible Owls. 



The following synopsis includes only the North American and ]Me.xican 

 species of Glaucidium. In tropical America are se\eral others very distinct 

 from those here given. 



Species and Races. 



Co.MMON CnAR.\CTERS. Abovc biowu, vaiying from nearly gray to bright ferru- 

 ginous, in some species this color interrupted by a more or less distinct whitish 

 nuchal collar, with an adjacent blacki.sh spot (sometimes concealed) on each side 

 of the neck. Tail with narrow bands. Beneath white, the sides striped with 

 brown or blackish. Throat and jugulum white, with a dusky collar between. 

 Crown speckled or streaked with lighter ; wings more or Ic^is spotted with the 

 same. 



A. Maikiugs on the crown circular, or dot-like. 



1. G. passerinum. Tail with si.x to eight narrow white bands. Upper 

 parts varying from brownish-gray to chocolate-brown. Ground-color 

 of the lower parts pure white. 



Tail, and stripes on sides, not darker than the back ; tail-bands 

 six, and continuous ; toes rather thickly feathered. Hab. Europe. 



var. 2)0 sserinum? 



^ Glaucidium passerinum, var. pnxscrinum. Strix passerina, I>INN. 1, 133, 1766. Glauci- 

 dium j)asscriiium, BoiE, Isis, 1826, 976. — Sii.viirr. & Dr.r.ssEU, Birds Europe, II, April, 1871. 

 Siirnia pnsscriiia, Keys, k Blas. Wirb. Euro]i. 32, 1840. Jl/icropttjnx passcrinn, Kavt, Contr. 

 Ovn. 1852, 107. Koctua passerina, ScHLEO. Mus. Pays-Bas. Slriijcs, p. 41, 1862. Sh-i.r pusilla, 

 Daud. Tr. Orn. II, 20,'), 1800. .'^Irix pi/rj.ncva, Bechst. Xat. Deutschl. IV, 978, t. x.\iv, 1805. 

 SIrix acadica, Temm. Man. d'Oni. I, p. 96, 1820 {tiec Gmel.). 



