66 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Sir John Richardson speaks of it as not uncommon in the Arctic regions. 

 It is abundant in Canada, and throughout all parts of the United States. 

 Dr. Gambel met with it also in large numbers in the wooded regions of 

 Upper California. Dr. Heermann found it very common around Sacra- 

 mento in 1849, but afterwards, owing to the increase in population, it had 

 become comparatively rare. Dr. Woodhouse met with it in the Indian 

 Territory, though not abundantly. Lieutenant Couch obtained specimens in 

 Mexico, and Mr. Schott in Texas. 



In the regions northwest of the Yukon River, Mr. Robert Kennicott found 

 a pair of these birds breeding on the 10th of April. The female was pro- 





Bilbo virgin in n us. 



cured, and proved to be of a dark plumage. The nest, formed of dry spruce 

 branches retaining their leaves, was placed near the top of a large green 

 spruce, in thick woods. It was large, measuring three or four feet across ar 

 base. The eggs were placed in a shallow depression, which was lined ^\■it]l a 

 few feathers. Two more eggs were found in tlie ovary of the female, — Due 

 broken, the other not larger than a musket-bnll. The ecfo's were frozen on 

 their way to the fort. Mr. Ross states that he found this Owl very abun- 

 dant around Great Slave Lake, but that it l)ecame less common as they 

 proceeded farther north. Tt was remarkably plentiful in the marshes around 



