AVES STRIGID^. 



679 



Falkland Islands. Absent in west Africa, Oceania and Australia, and 

 not found in the Galapagos and in parts of the West Indies. 



The short-eared owl was found in great numbers by the naturalists of 

 the Princeton Expeditions, as will be seen by the appended field notes 

 from Mr. Hatcher. The birds which were collected are all of the rufescent 

 type or approach that form, while birds in the University collection from 

 the plains of Argentina and north Patagonia are without exception of the 

 lighter color, more nearly approaching Old World examples in appearance. 



Fig. 



Asio flamnuus. Adult female, P. U. O. C. 7879. Rufescent or dark plumage. 

 One-third natural size. 



Mr. Hatcher writes : " Abundant in the open park and about the swamps 

 in the forests in the Lower Andes, where it remains concealed during the 

 day in the tall grass, but appearing in great numbers in the evening to 

 feed on small rodents. Seldom seen on trees, though common along the 

 forests. I have never observed it perching. When disturbed it always 

 settled again on the ground in the grass and not in the woods." (Hatcher, 

 Mss. Notes.) 



