NO. 1362. AMERICAN GREAr HORNED OWLS—OBERHOLSER. 189 



Geographical dixfrihution. — Southern Canada and eastern United 

 States, west to Ontario, Wisconsin, Iowa, and eastern Texas; accidental 

 in Ireland/' 



Measurements (7 males). — Wing, 320-355 (average, 343.3) mm.; tail, 

 1J>0-210 (average, 199.4) mm.; exposed culmen, 38-40 (average, 39.4) 

 mm.; culmen without cere, 26-30 (average, 28.6) mm. {6 females). — 

 Wing, 352-380 (average, 366.3) nmi.; tail, 2O0-225 (average, 218) mm.; 

 exposed cuhnen, 38-43 (average, 40.7) mm.: culmen without cere, 

 29-32.5 (average, 30.6) mm. 



In normal phase this race is characterized by a deep rufescence 

 throughout, very different from the other subspecies living north of 

 ]\lexico. There are, however, two other phases of virglnianus — one 

 in Avhich the coloration is light, and the place of rufous tints is taken 

 by ochraceous; the other in which grayish and blackish colors pre- 

 dominate; all three phases being connected by intermediates. The 

 last seems to be most prevalent in the New England States, and possi- 

 bly indicates vergence toward heterocnemis. 



A careful comparison proves that birds from Florida do not differ 

 at all, either in size or color, from those of the Middle Atlantic States. 

 Some specimens from the region of the Lower Rio Grande are rather 

 light-colored, but neither in this respect nor in anj^ other can the}" be 

 distinguished from examples of the light phase commonly occurring 

 in the Eastern States; while a specimen taken at Rockport, Texas, is 

 typical of virgmianus in dark rufous plumage. The breeding bird of 

 Iowa is undoubtedly lu'rghiianus^ though occ idental is ocaurs in winter. 

 We have seen no summer birds from Minnesota, but at least the 

 southern part of this State is probably inhabited b}^ the present race. 



Specimens from the subjoined localities have been examined: 



Arkansas. — Fayetteville. 



District of Columbia. — 



Florida. — Sebastian; Fort Bassinger; Orange Hammock; Lake 

 Kissimmee. 



Illinois. — Sugar Creek Prairie; Mount Carmel. 



i^w7/«?j«.— Upperville; Toleston. 



Indian Territory. — [No further locality given.] 



Iowa. — Mitchell Count}'. 



Maryland. — Rockville: Laurel; Sandy Spring; Corntield Harbor. 



Micliigan. — Saginaw^ County. 



Missouri. — Marble Cave. 



Neio Jersey. — [No further locality given.] 



Ohio. — Madisonville; W^ooster. 



Pennsylvania. — Carlisle. 



Texas. — Rockport: Brownsville. 



Virginia. — Ammondale; Glymont; Amelia. 



aBelle Lake, county Waterford, January 27, 1851; sec 2Soologist, 1881, p. 308. 

 Proc. N. M. vol. xxvii— 03 13 



