80 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



The genus is most largely developed within the tropical regions, only one 

 species {G. passerinum) belonging to the cold temperate zone, and this is 

 found on both continents. They are the most robustly organized of all 

 Owls, and, for their size, are very predatory, as in the next genus {Micrathene), 

 though themselves hardly larger than a Sparrow, tliey frequently feed upon 



Glaucidhim calif ornicum. 



small birds, and, no doubt, often destroy the passerine species of nearly their 

 own size. Like the most of the group to which this genus belongs, they 

 are diurnal in their habits, and fly about during the brightest sunshine. 

 They inhabit chiefly dense forests, and, for this reason, are less well known 

 than the more easily accessible Owls. 



The following synopsis includes only the North American and Mexican 

 species of Glaucidiiirii. In tropical America are several others very distinct 

 from those here given. 



Species and Races. 



Common Characters. Above brown, varying from nearly gray to bright ferru- 

 ginous, in some species this color interrupted by a more or less distinct whitish 

 nuchal collar, with an adjacent blackish spot (sometimes concealed) on each side 

 of the neck. Tail with narrow bands. Beneath white, the sides striped with 

 brown or blackish. Throat and jugulum white, with a dusky collar between. 

 Crown speckled or streaked with lighter ; wings more or less spotted Avith the 

 same. ^ 



A. Markings on the crown circular, or dot-like. 



1. G. passerinum. Tail with six to eight narrow white bands. Upper 

 parts varying from brownish-gray to chocolate-brown. Ground-color 

 of the lower parts pure white. 



Tail, and stripes on sides, not darker than the back ; tail-bands 

 six, and continuous ; toes rather thickly feathered. Hab. Europe. 



var. 2^ (t sser i n ti m } 



1 Olaucidium passerinum, var. ^jresscrzwMm. Strix passerina, Linn. I, 133, 1766. Glauci- 

 dium passerinum, BoiE, Isis, 1826, 976. — Sharpe & Dresser, Birds Europe, II, April, 1871. 

 Surnia passerina, Keys. & Blas. Wirb. Europ. 32, 1840. Microptynx passerina, Kaup, Contr. 

 Orn. 1852, 107. Noctua passerina, Schlkg. Mus. Pays-Ba.s. Sfriges, p. 41, 1862. Sfrix pusiUa, 

 Daud. Tr. Orn. II, 205, 1800. Sh'ix 2mnn<xa, Bechst. Nat. Deutschl. IV, 978, t. xxiv, 1805. 

 Strix acadica, Temm. Man. d'Orn. I, p. 96, 1820 (7tec Gmel.J. 



