84 AVIFAUNA COLUMBIANA. 



than in any other of the actions which indicate its versatile disposition. 

 It commonly arrives late in April, and remains until the middle of Sep- 

 tember ; but it is too erratic to come under any rule. [453] 



142. (28.) Colaptes auratus (Linn.) Sw. Golden-winged Woodpecker. 



A permanent resident ; abundant, particularly in spring and fall, as 

 there is an imperfect migration of the species. [457] 



Note. — A West Indian Paroquet, Conurtts xanthogenys Bp. was shot 

 by us in a grove near Washington, in the spring of 1860. It was of 

 course an escaped cage bird. 



Order RAPTORES : Birds of Prey. 

 Suborder STRIGES: Nocturnal Birds of Prey. 

 Family ALUCONID^ : Barn Owls. . 



143. ( — .) Aluco flammeus pratincola (Bp.) Coues. Barn Owl. 



Not in the original edition, as we had not at that time observed it. 



iff 



FIG. 65.— Foot of Barn Owl, nat. size. 



Added to the list by Jouy, in 1877. It is occasionally seen or heard in the 

 city, and is known to have nested in the Smithsonian towers. Besident. 



[461] 

 Family STBIGID^E : Owls. 



144. (15.) Bubo virginianus (&m.) Bp. Great Horned Owl ; " Cat Owl." 

 This large species has never been common, and has doubtless decreased 



in numbers of late years. It is sometimes found in market, having 

 been taken in the vicinity, if not actually within the District. [462] 



145. (14.) Scops asio (Linn.) Bp. Screech Owl; Red Owl; Mottled Owl. 

 This is the most abundant of the Owls, as well as the smallest species 



known to occur here, for Nyctala acadica, of probable occurrence, has 

 not to our knowledge been detected in the District. The Scops owl 

 breeds here, and is a permanent resident. Eggs and nestlings may 

 always be found about Georgetown College in due season. [465] 



