62 U. S. P R. R EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT 



GLAUCIDIUM GNOMA, Wagler. 



The Pigmy Owl. 



Glaucidimn gnoma, Wagler, Isis, XXV, p. 275, (l^'Sa.) 



" Sirix pnsscrinoiihs, Temm ," AuD. Orn. Biog. V, p. 271. 



" Sirix infuscata, Temm.," Cassim, B. of Cal. & Te.xas, I, p. 189. 



Glaucidiimi Ca/i/oniicttm, Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1&57, p. 4. 



Figures. — Aud. B. of Am., pi. 432, figs. 4, 5: octavo edition, I, pi. 30. 



The smallest owl known to inhabit North America. Wing rather short ; fourth quill longest ; tail rather long ; tarsi densely 

 feathered ; toes partially covered with hairs. Spot before the eye, and extending over it, white. Entire upper parts brownish 

 olive, with small circular spots of dull white or pale rufous numerous on the head, and largest on the scapulars. An irregular 

 and partially concealed band of white on the neck behind, succeeded by another of black. Throat white ; a band of brownish 

 olive across the neck and breast ; other under parts white, with longitudinal stripes of dark olive brown ; quills dark brown, 

 with small spots of dull white on their outer webs, and large circular or oval spots of white on their inner webs ; tail dark 

 brown, with about six or seven pairs of circular or oval spots of white on every feather ; larger on the inner webs. Under wing 

 coverts white, with black spots disposed to form a longitudinal or oblique stripe; bill light greenish yellow ; claws light horn 

 color ; irides yellow. Sexes nearly alike ; female with rather larger and more numerous spots of white on the upper parts. 



Dimensions. — Female, total length about 7 inches ; wing 3| ; tail 3 inches. Male, total length about 6g inches ; wing 3i ; 

 tail 2 J inches. 



Hub. — Oregon, California, Mexico. Spec, in Nat. Mus. Washington, and Acad. Sci. Philadelphia. 



All the specimens of this rare and curious little owl are from Oregon and Washington Terri- 

 tories, and it does not appear to have been noticed in California by either of the surveying 

 parties. It has, however, previously been obtained in that State, and is also very probably an 

 inhabitant of Mexico. 



In our synojjsis of North American owls, (in Birds of California and Texas, I, p. 175,) 

 we have noticed this bird, under the nanje of Glaucidium infuscatum, regarding it as the Strix 

 infascata, Temminck. At the suggestion of Mr. Philip Lutley Sclater, a distinguished orni- 

 thologist, of London, who alludes to this species in Proceedings of the Zoological Society of 

 London, 185T, p. 4, we find his conclusion quite correct, that the two names Strix infuscata and 

 Sirix passerinoides were applied by Temminck to the same species, which is South American. 

 The name given by Wagler, however, we regard as undoubtedly api^licable to this bird, and 

 give it accordingly as Glaucidium gnoma, (Wagler,) which had previously cited as a synonyme 

 in our synopsis alluded to above. 



This species very much resembles the South American owl, above alluded to. It appears to 

 be, however, lighter colored, and, perhaps, rather smaller. In the present bird the spots on the 

 upper parts of the plumage are smaller and more inclined to be circular, and a black stripe is 

 quite distinct on the under coverts of the wing, which we have found but very obscurely indi- 

 cated in either of numerous specimens of G. infuscatum, (or G. passerinoides,) now before us. 

 For the present, we regard the northern and the southern as distinct, but nearly related, species. 



This little owl appears to be exclusively western and southern. 



List of specimens. 



