424 



PREYING BIRDS — RAPTORES. 



lightest on the lower part of tlie neck, where it is almost a buff. Outer feathers of inter- 

 scapulars with outer webs light buff^tbrniing a distinct bar. Wings same color as the 

 back, but the central streak broader. Primaries dark brown, outer webs marked with dis- 

 tinct spots of light buff, slightly discernible on the inner. Secondaries blackish-brown, outer 

 webs distinctly spotted with dark bull'. Tertiids mottled with light buff and black. Ear- 

 tufts light bull', with a central streak of black, and barred with the same, broadest on outer 

 webs. Feathers round the eye reddish-brown; those covering the nostrils soiled white, 

 with black shafts. Concealed patches of white feathers ecjuidistant between the ear-tufts 

 and the ears. Upper part of breast light buff, several leathers on each side having very 

 broad central streaks of black, forming together a conspicuous spot ; the rest have this 

 mark much narrower, and the black bars either nearly obsolete or mere wavy lines. 

 Flanks light bull', with a broad line of black in the middle, and a consjiicuous Viar of pale 

 yellowish-white near the tips. Centre of abdomen and under tail coverts )-ellowish-white, 

 a few indistinct brown bars on the latter. Length, 11.00; wing, 7.2.5; tail, 4.00 ; bill, 

 0.87 along the curve ; claws, 0.50. Tarsi reddish-brown ; feet yellowish-white ; bill black, 

 ■white at tip. 



The general color is rcildish-brown, mottled and Ijlotched with black. In size it is 

 between Scops usiu and Olu.i Wilsoiiianus. (Elliot.) 



Bab. Sitka. 



Tliis species was descriljecl by Mr. Elliot, from the single specimen taken 

 in Sitka by j\Ir. Bisclioff. It was called after Mr. Keimicott, with a ^^•ell- 

 deserved tribute of respect to his memory. Nothing is known of its 

 habits. 



It is not a little remarkable tliat our knowledge of four species of owls 

 of Western North America, so far, rests upon single specimens. Three 

 of these, Syrnium occidentalc, Scops Kcnnicotti, and Mkrathcnc Wliitneiji, 

 are types ; of the fourth, — Scoijs flummcola, — the type was taken in 

 Mexico. (Baird.) 



Otits Wtlsonianits. 



