192 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxvii. 



Measure )nents {5 males). — Wing-, 337-368 (average, 362) mm.; tail, 

 215-230 (average, 221.6) mm.; exposed ciilmen, 37-42 (average, 39.5) 

 mm.; culmen without cere, 27-30 (average 28.5) mm. {2 females.) — 

 Wing, 385-390 (average, 387.5) mm. ; tail, 235-237 (average, 236) mm. ; 

 exposed culmen, 43 mm.; culmen without cere, 31-31.5 (average, 

 31.3) mm. 



This is the palest of all the American members of the genus Asia., 

 the general whiteness being usually very conspicuous. From Asia 

 m. algutus it differs as from occidentalism though in greater measure. 

 In dark phase it is most like the normal or light condition of oeci- 

 dentalis^ but the dark markings are deeper and more contrasted, the 

 feet usuall}^ white with little or no ochraceous or dark mottling. 



The southward limit of the breeding range it is impossible at present 

 to delineate with even approxmiate exactness, as proper material from 

 the interior of British America is not available. Specimens that have 

 been examined, however, point to the probability that wajxicuthu 

 summers at least as far south as Saskatchewan. 



Dr. Richmond has shown" that the name arcticus of Swainson, so 

 long in use for this race, is preoccupied and consequenth^ untenable. 

 As a substitute he proposes to revive suharcticas of Hoy, which has 

 been commonly applied to the pale forms of the western United States. 

 There seems to be, however, a prior name in Strix wapacuthu Gmelin,^ 

 which by nearly all authors has been synonymized with arcticus. This 

 name is based on the "Wapacuthu Owl" of Pennant,'' and its accom- 

 panying description is an excellent one of the arctic horned owl, with 

 the exception of the statement that the bird is without ears, a mistake 

 that might easily occur, particularly with an imperfect specimen. 

 Furthermore, that it is not Nyctea nyctea., the only other owl to which 

 the name could b}^ any possibility apply, is clearl}^ evidenced by the 

 diagnosis, added to which is the statement that the young are white. 



Specimens of this form from the following localities have been 

 examined, probable breeding records being, indicated by an asterisk: 



Mackenzie. — Fort Resolution*; Slave River, 75 miles below Fort 

 Smith.* 



Sashatchetoan. — Moose Lake*; Pas*. 



Ontario. — Moose Factory; Michipicoten Island, Lake Superioi. 



Minnesota. — Aitki n . 



North Dakota. — Devils Lake. 



Wisconsin. — Racine. 



«Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XV, 1902, p. 86. 

 ftSyst. Nat., I, 1788, p. 291. 

 ^Arct. Zool., II, 1785, p. 231. 



