ZOOLOGY. 77 



SYRNIUM CINEREUM. 



The Great Cinereous Owl. 



This large and handsome owl is generally disseminated over the western part of the North 

 American continent, at least we ohtained proofs of its existence in the Sacramento valley, in the 

 Cascade mountains, in the Des Chutes hasin, and on the Columbia, in Oregon. 



NYCTALE ACADICA. 



The Acadian Owl. 



This little owl is found in Oregon, but we saw nothing of it in California, where it is, how- 

 ever, said to exist. 



ATHENE HYPUG.EA. 



The Burrowing Owl. 



The burrowing owl is found in many parts of California, wnere it shares the burrows of 

 Beechey's and Douglas' spermophile. We found it in several places between San Francisco 

 and Fort Reading, and again in the Klamath basin, though at the northward less frequently 

 than in the Sacramento valley. South of San Francisco, they are found at San Diego and 

 Monterey. We usually saw them standing at the entrance to their burrows. They often 

 allowed us to approach within shot, and, before taking flight, twisted their heads about, and 

 bowed with many ludicrous gestures, thus, apparently, aiding their imperfect sight and getting 

 a better view of the intruder. When shot at and not killed, or when otherwise alarmed, they 

 fly with an irregular, jerking motion, dropping down, much like a woodcock, at some other 

 hole. 



GLAUCIDIUM INFUSCATUM. 



The Sparrow Owl. 



I procured specimens of this diminutive owl on the Cascade mountains, in Oregon, where it is 

 not very uncommon. It occurs also in California, for we saw several specimens in San Fran- 

 cisco, which had been obtained in that State, but we did not meet with it in the Sacramento 

 valley. It is apparently, in a great measure, confined to wooded districts, which will account 

 for our not finding it in the open country of California. 



It flies about with great freedom and activity by day, pursuing the small birds, on which it 

 subsists, apparently as little incommoded by the light as they are. ■ 



ANTROSTROMUS NUTTALLII. 

 Nuttall's Whip-poor-will. 



This species is found in all parts of California and Oregon. On the shores of Rhett lake we 

 came upon the nest of this bird, if nest it could be called, in which were two young ones nearly 

 old enough to fly. The mother fluttered off as though disabled, by her cries and strange 

 motions leading one of our party far down the hill-side, and away from her young; which done, 

 she flew away well and swiftly, much to his surprise. Meantime we had found the pretty 

 creatures fjr whom she had been so solicitous. They resembled the young of the eastern 



