304 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE YOSEMITE 



California Spotted Owl. Strix occidentalis occidentalis (Xantus) 



Field characters. — Of medium large size for an owl, less than that of Great Horned; 

 head round (no ear tufts) (fig. 39/) ; eyes lead-color (not yellow) ; plumage brown, 

 with numerous abruptly contrasted white spots in transverse rows. Notes : Varied ; 

 perhaps most often a series of yelps like the barking of a small dog. 



Occurrence. — Resident in the Transition Zone. Positively identified only in Yosemite 

 Valley, north side, 4000 to 5000 feet altitude, on Sweetwater Creek, 3800 feet, near 

 Feliciana Mountain, and near Bower Cave, 2500 feet. Strictly a night owl, and an 

 inhabitant of woods. 



The California Spotted Owl came to our attention first on the evening 

 of October 12, 1914, when we heard its notes from the goklen-oak talus 

 near the foot of Yosemite trail, on the north side of Yosemite Valley. 

 These notes differed from those of any other owl of the region, in that 

 they were abrupt rather high-pitched calls, in tone like the distant barking 

 of a dog: whu' , whu' ; whu. The first two were loudest. There was no 

 suggestion of the deep intonation of the Pacific Horned Owl. 



Subsequently on many occasions one or more spotted owls were heard 

 near the same place, sometimes farther down toward Rocky Point, but 

 always in or near the golden-oak belt. There could be little doubt that 

 a pair nested there ; for the birds were heard at various times throughout 

 the summer of 1915. 



The notes were never given until late dusk ; for example, on June 7 

 at 7 :50 P.M. ; on June 23 at 8 :00 ; on July 24 at 7 :32 ; on July 28 at 7 :30 ; 

 on October 23 at 5 :25 ; and on November 18 at 5 :10. It will be observed 

 that these hours closely accord in the changing seasons with a certain 

 degree of darkness. 



In only one instance were the numerous attempts to sight this owl in 

 Yosemite Valley successful. On June 23 the first notes for the evening 

 happened to be given by a bird close to the spot where the observer had 

 taken his stand. A little manoeuvering brought the latter beneath the 

 cedar in which the owl was perched ; an opening in the foliage permitted 

 a glimpse of its silhouette against the sky; and a quick shot brought it 

 down. Even though here beneath the shaded north wall of the Valley 

 daylight had nearly gone, the bird appeared quite stupid in its lack of fear. 

 The notes heard at this time, close at hand, and as set down at the moment, 

 were thought to resemble the syllables howk, howk, howk, given in a rather 

 hollow tone. The specimen procured was an old female in full molt, 

 evidently long past nesting. 



Notes, probably of a spotted owl, were heard at Gentry's, 5800 feet 

 altitude, on the evening of October 24. During the last week of October, 

 similar notes were heard in the vicinity of Feliciana Mountain, 3800 to 



