BIRDS — STRIOINAE — OTUS WILSONIANUS. 



53 



numerous irregular tran»Tor»o linos and points of Iho same. Under parts pnlc-r or a«liy white, with longitudinal stripes of 

 brownish black, and with irregular lines of tlio same ; flanks and sides, liiigud with pule fulvous. Quills brown, with several 

 transverse bands of pale roddisli white, assuming the form of quadrangular spots on tho outer webs, and pale reddish ashy on 

 the inner webs. Tail ashy brown, with about ton narrow transversa bands on all, except the two central feathers, well defined 

 on the outer wobs ; scapular feathers and some of tho greater coverts of tho wings edged with white ; bill greenish horn color ; 

 tip yellowish ; irides yellow. 



Young. — Entire plumage rufous ; darker on tho head, with longitudinal stripes of brownish black ; middle of tho abdomen, 

 and under tail coverts white ; tarsi rufous. 



Dimennoiu. — Total length 7J to 8 inches, wing 6, tail 3 inches. 



Hab. — Western and Southern North America. 



This species is not only related to the common Scops asio of North America, hut also to Scops 

 chdtba of South America, and other species of thi.s continent. From S. asio, it can readily he 

 distinguished hy its smaller size and the different shade of color and style of markings, being 

 darker above, and having the transverse lines on the under surface better defined and more 

 numerous 



In the present collection are two specimens only of this interesting species, both from Texas, 

 and in mottled plumage. In the collection made by the Mexican Boundary Commission there 

 is a specimen of this bird in red plumage, like that of S. asio, and is that above described. 



A red specimen from Florida we doubtfully refer to the same species. 



List of specimens. 



OTUS, Cuvier. 



Olva, CoviER, Regne Animal, I, p. 327. (1817.) 

 General form longer and more slender than in the preceding genera. Head moderate ; ear tufts long, erectile ; bill rather 

 short, curved from the base ; facial disc more perfect than in the preceding. Wings long ; tail moderate ; tarsi and toes covered 

 with short feathers ; claws long, curved. Eyes rather small, and surrounded by radiating feathers. 



This genus contains ten or twelve species of various countries ; all of which are more hand- 

 some birds than are usually met with in this family. 



OTUS WILSONIANUS, Lesson. 



The Long-Eared Owl. 



Olut WiUonianua, Lesson, Traite d'Om. I, p. 110. (1831.) 



Oruj .^mericonuj, Bonap. Comp. List, p. 7. (1838.) 



Strix Jlnuricana, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, p. 288. (1788.') 



Strix ftrigrinator, Bartram, Travels, p. 289. (1790.') 

 FicDRES — Wilson Am. Orn. VI, pi. 51, fig. 1 ; Aud. B. of Am., pi. 383 : Oct ed. I, pi. 37 : Nat. Hist. New York, Birds, pi. 

 11, fig. 24. 

 Ear tufts long and conspicuous ; eyes rather small ; wings long ; tarsi and toes densely feathered. Upper parts mottled with 



