422 PREYING BIRDS — RAPTORES. 



therefore, present the " darker " color and more numerous better defined 

 transverse lines below, being scarcely more than light ash-color in any 

 part. Being thus unlike Cassin's S. McCallii, I have considered it only a 

 pale variety of S. ado, although its southern locality would lead us to ex- 

 pect to find it to be *S'. McCallii, if indeed that be a distinct species. 



At Santa Barbara I found a young one half Hedged on ]\Iay 4th, and in 

 another tree a fine full-grown bird. The young was gray, but, according to 

 Cassin, they become red when the feathers are fully grown, and afterwards 

 gray again, specimens of both colors being found breeding together in the 

 East, showing probably that it requires some years to effect the change. 

 They have been, however, often taken for distinct species. Their food is 

 entirely composed of small birds, mice, and insects. 1 have seen one living 

 harmlessly in a pigeon-house. 



Scops flammeola, Lichtenstein. 



THE FLAMMTJLATED OWLET. 



Hcopsjlaimneola, Lioiit. KomcnuUitor Mus. Burol. 1S31.— Kaup, Trans. Zool. Soc. IV. 226. 

 ScnLEGUL, Mus. Pays Bas, Ois. 27.— Sclatkr, P. Z. S. 1858, 96. — Sclatek .iiul Sal- 

 VIN, Pr. Z. S. 1868, 57. Ib. Exotic Oniilliul. VII. 68, 99 ; pi. 50. 



Sp. Cii.ak. Above o ra\ i^li-brown, streaked an<l -ieriuieulated with blaek ; the margins 

 of the scapulars and the phiines of the head partially varied with rufous, the former forming 

 a rufous line between the wing and the back. Outer webs of the primaries with ([uadrate 

 white spots. Beneath grayish-white, all the feathers with a shaft streak, and numerous 

 fine transverse lines of blaek. Throat and breast slightly tinged with rulbus. Tar.si en- 



S fiammcola. 



