Genus NYCTALE, Brehm. 



Gen. Char. Size small. Head with very small ear-tufts, only seen when erected ; eyes 

 small ; bill moderate ; facial disk nearly perfect ; wings rather long ; tail short ; toes densely 

 feathered ; conch of ear very large, with an operculum. 



Until quite recently this genus was thought to be represented 

 in North America by some four or five species ; these, however, 

 are now reduced to two, both of which are tolerably abundant in 

 Canada. They are of diminutive size, and are the most nocturnal 

 species of the family. 



Nyctale Tengmalmi var. Richardsoni {Bp.) Ridgw. 



SPARROW OWL ; RICHARDSON'S OWL. 

 PLATK XXVI. 



This is an exceedingly interesting little Owl, and the Plate 

 herewith presented is a truthful portrait of it. It inhabits Great 

 Britain, the continents of Europe and Asia, northern Africa, and 

 northern North America. In Europe and Britain it is commonly 

 known as Tengmalm's Owl, and throughout Canada and the 

 United States as the Sparrow Owl. 



Up to the year 1838 the American bird was considered as 

 unquestionably identical with its European representative, but was 

 subsequently, in common with several species, separated as a dis- 

 tinct species by over-zealous naturalists. Lately, however, and 

 chiefly through the studies of Mr. Ridgway of Washington the 

 birds of the two continents have been aeain re-united under the 

 name which has priority, namely N. Tengmalmi \ but the American 

 bird is still supposed to constitute a variety or a distinct geo- 

 grapJiical race which, for convenience, is called var. Richardso>ii. 

 To my mind, however, as I have elsewhere remarked, such a 

 multiplication of names is much to be regretted, and appears 

 needless — not only respecting this, but many other species which 



