THE BIRD BOOK 



380. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. 

 Glaucidium phalcenoides. 



Range. — Mexico and Central America; north to the Mex- 

 ican border of the United States. 



This species is of the same size as the last, but is much 

 tinged with rufous on the upper parts, and the tail is of a 

 bright chestnut brown color, crossed by about eight bars 

 of black. They nest in hollow cavities in trees, from ten 

 to forty feet from the ground, laying three or four glossy 

 white eggs; size 1.10 x .90. 



381. Elf Owl. Micropallas whitneyi. 



Range. — Mexico, north to the bordering states. 

 This odd little bird is the smallest 

 member of the family found in Amer- 

 ica, attaining a length of only six in- 

 ches. In plumage it may be described 

 as similar to a very small, earless 

 Screech Owl, only with the pattern of 

 the markings a great deal finer. They 

 are said to be quite abundant in the 

 table lands of central Mexico and in 

 southern Arizona, where they build 

 their nests in deserted Woodpeckers' holes, perhaps most frequently in the 

 giant cactus. It is said to be more nocturnal than the Pygmy Owls and to feed 

 almost exclusively upon insects. They lay from three to five eggs having a 

 slight gloss. Size 1.02 x .90. Data. — Southern Arizona, May 22, 1902. Nest in a 

 deserted Woodpecker hole. Two eggs. 



iSO — 381 



White 



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