BIRDS ATHENINAE — GLAUCIDIUM. 



61 



tarsus so completely covered, nor the preceding with it so bare as represented, in his figures, 

 which appear, however, to he intended to represent the two species here described. 



After careful examination and comparison of the specimens in the present collection with 

 others from various parts of western South America, we can detect no differences whatever, all 

 of them being apparently quite identical. The inspection of specimens of the present bird 

 may have induced the Prince Bonaparte to alter his views respecting the distinctness of the 

 North American from the South American bird, which he does in Annals of the New York 

 Lyceum of Natural History, 11, p. 435, (1826,) when he declares his conviction of their 

 identity, and proposes to withdraw his proposed name, Strix hypugcea. This name is, however, 

 applicable to the preceding species, which is distinct, though never before so given by any 

 American author. 



Our friend, Colonel George A. McCall, late inspector general in the United States army, has 

 constantly assured us, for several years past, that the two species given above were distinct, and 

 readily distinguished from each other, and he designated the characters of each, and the 

 difference in 'their localities. In the present large collection we find the views of this very 

 accurate naturalist confirmed in the most conclusive manner. 



List of specimens. 



GLAUCIDIUM, Boie. 



Glav.cidiv.m, Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 970. 



Size very small ; head moderate, without ear-tufts; wings moderate, or rather short ; tail short ; facial disk nearly obsolete ; 

 bill short, rather wide, strong ; tarsi fully feathered ; claws rather long, curved, very sharp. 



This genus contains a few species only, amongst which are the smallest of known owls. 



