STRIGID.E — THE OWLS — MICRATHENE. 44^ 



with dull yellow, having generally a fa<leil or bleached appearance. ^Vliite spots more 

 numerous and irregular in shape, and Ircquently giving the predominating color to the 

 head. Rump and tail strongly tinged with reddish. Under parts like the preceding, but 

 lighter, and with tlio reddish-brown of the abdomen assuming the form of semicircular or 

 hastate spots. This plumage has very nearly the same characters as the preceding, but is 

 lighter and has a faded appearance, and is much the most frequently met with in speci- 

 mens. This plumage is not figured. 



Another ])lumage is : Ujiper parts much less tinged with yellow or reddish, being nearly 

 light grayish-brown ; white spots very irregular in shape. Abdomen nearly pure white, 

 or tinged with yellowish, with traces only or but few spots of reddish-brown. This plu- 

 mage is given in Bonaparte's plate, cited above ; but it is unusual for the abdomen to be 

 so nearly pure white and unspotted as represented. Total length, female (of skin), about 

 0.50 ; wing, 7.00 ; tail, 3.50. Male, total length, about 9.00 ; wing, fi..')0 ; tail, 3.00. 



//((/). From the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. Mexico. 



In thi.s species the featliers on the tarsu.s are restricted to a narrow longi- 

 tudinal band or stripe in front, generally quite imperfect in the lower half, 

 leaving that portion nearly bare to the toes, though it is quite unusual to 

 find the tarsus so entirely uncovered, as represented in Audubon's figiu'e 

 cited above. This bird is rather smaller than amicularia, and has the tar- 

 sus shorter as well as much less feathered. It inhabits the countries east of 

 the Rocky jNIountains, while the cuniculuria appears to belong exclusively 

 to the west of the same range. (Cassin.) 



Whetlier we really have more than one species of l;>uiTowing owl in Xorth 

 America is still a question, the difference, if any, Ijeing exceedingly slight. 

 To furnish tlie means of comparison, however, we reproduce above the re- 

 marks of Mr. Cassin on the subject. Mr. James Hepburn, an excellent 

 authority on the liirds of the I'acific Coast, thinks that there are two species, 

 and states that both are found within tlie limits of the State of California. 

 If two species exist, their habits appear to be very similar. (Baird.) 



Genus MICRATHENE, Coues. 



Micrathene, Coces, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1866, 57. (Type, Alliene W/iilnri/i, CooPEK.) 



Gex. C'n.\R. Bill small and weak, compressed at base. Facial disk not conspicuously 

 defined ; imperfect Ijehiud the eyes. Wings very long ; from the carpal joint, nic;isuring 

 two thirds the total length of body ; exposed portion of first primary only two thirds that 

 of longest ; thu-d and fourth quills longest, fifth little shorter, second about equal to sixth. 

 Tarsi moderate ; feathered only a short distance below the upper joint, the remaining por- 

 tion clothed only with sparse bristly hairs, as is the superior surface of the toes. Claws 

 very weak, moderately curved. Jliddle toe and claw about as long as tarsus. (Coues) 



Of tlte size and general apjjearance of Glaucidium, this gemis has a small- 

 er bill, much longer wings, and much shorter tail, witli different proportions 

 56 



