48 



U. S p. R. R EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



Eiitire upper parts pale fawn color, or tawny brownish yellow, frequently very pale, nearly every feather with a small sub- 

 terminal black spot succeeded by another of white. Under parts generally pale fawn color, but frequently pure white, with 

 small lanceolate and circular spots of brownish black ; under coverts of wings and tail white ; quills fawn colored ; primaries 

 with about five irregular transverse bars of brownish black ; tail with about four or five bands of dark brown. Face white ; 

 spots of dark chestnut brown around the eyes. Irides brownish black ; bill, toes, and claws light yellowish. 



Total length, female, 16 inches, wing 13, tail Sj inches. Male rather smaller. 



Hab. — Throughout temperate North America. Spec, in Nat. Mus., Washington. 



All the specimens in the present collection are from California. They exhibit the variety in 

 shades of color, especially on the under parts of the body, which is usually to be observed in 

 this species ; some specimens having these parts perfectly white, and others different shades of 

 pale buff or fawn color. There is, however, no American species of this family more easily 

 recognized. 



Some specimens from the western countries of North America which have come under our 

 notice have the greater portion of the quills very pale colored, occasionally nearly white ; and 

 these specimens have, too, usually the under parts white. This is the case with specimens No. 

 4349 in Lieutenant Trowbridge's collection, and No. 6885 in that of Lieutenant Williamson. 



This bird, in the plumage just referred to, approximates quite closely to Strix furcata, (Tem- 

 minck PI. Col, 432,) a species from the West India islands, and cannot readily be distinguished 

 from it by any character, except a greater degree of whiteness in the West India bird. The 

 two species, if such they are, will, however, bear careful comparison. 



List of specimens. 



Sub-Family BUBONINAE.— The Horned Owls 



Head large, with erectile and prominent ear tufts. Eyes large ; facial disc not complete 

 above the eyes and bill ; legs, feet, and claws usually very strong. 



This division contains numerous species, some of which are very large, but the greater 

 number as medium sized or small. They inhabit all parts of the world, except Australia. 



