STRIGID.E — THE OWLS — NYCTALK. 



435 



Nyctale albifrons, Shaw. 



KIRTLAND'S OWL. 



Strix albifrons, Shaw, Nat. Misc. V. 1794. — Nyctale albifrons, Cassix, B. of Cal. and Tex. 



187. Ib. p. R. Rep. Birds, IX. .57. — Codes, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1860, 50. 

 Strix frontalis, Lichtenstein, Trans. Berlin Ac. 1838, 340. 

 Nijctale Kirthmdii, Hoy, Pr. A. N. Sc. Pliil. VI. 1852, 210. — Cassix, B. of Cal. and Tex. I. 



1855, 63 ; pi. xi. 



Sp. Cii.\k. Ileatl, upper part of breast, anil entire upper parts, dark chocolate-brown ; 

 forehead and eyebrows white. Throat, and a line running down on each side from base 

 of under mandible, white ; other under parts of body reddish ochre-yellow. Quills dark 

 brown, with small white spots on their outer edges, and large white spots on their inner 



N. albifrons, 



webs. Tail dai-k brown, -n-itli two transverse bands of white, and a naiTow whiti' tip. 

 Lengtli about 8.00 ; wing, 5.25 ; tail, 3.00. Iris yellow; bill and claws dark. (Cassin.) 

 Ilab. Northern North America to Canada and Wisconsin. California (Lichtenstcin). 



I have .seen in the mu.seuni of the German Acailemy of Natural Sciences, 

 of San Francisco, a specimen of tliis owl, brought fr(jni Nevada, close to 

 the boundary of California, about lat. 39°, altitude seven thousand feet. 



Cassin's beautiful plate, and interesting description above referred to, in- 

 clude all at present known of its habits. On the eastern side of the conti- 

 nent it seems limited to the northern regions, and on this coast probably 

 confines its range to the highest mountains, unless driven down to the val- 

 leys in winter by cold. 



Dr. Hoy remarks that one flew into an open shop in Eacine, Wisconsin, 

 in July, 1852. It was strictly nocturnal, uttered a low tremulous note, and 

 was an active, efficient mouser. 



