CRITICAL NOTES ON THE SUBSPECIES OF THE SPOTTED 

 OWL, STRIX OCCIDENTALIS (XANTUS). 



By Harry C. Oberholser, 



Of the Biological Survey, United States Department of Agriculture. 



The four current subspecies of Strix ocddentalis, with the geo- 

 graphical range apportioned to each, are as foUows: 



STRIX OCCIDENTALIS OCCIDENTALIS (Xantus). 



Symium occidentale Xantus, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1859, p. 193 (Fort 

 Tejon, California). 



Southern CaUfomia and northern Lower Cahfornia. 



STRIX OCCIDENTALIS CAURINA (Merriam). 



Symium occidentale caurinum Merriam, Auk, vol. 15, January, 1898, p. 40 (Mount 

 Vernon, Skagit Valley, Washington). 



Southern British Columbia, south through western Washington and 

 western Oregon to central California. 



STRIX OCCIDENTALIS HUACHUCAK Swarth. 



Strix ocddentalis huachvxse Swarth, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., vol. 7, No. 1, May 

 26, 1910, p. 3 (Huachuca Mountains, Arizona). 



Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and central western Texas. 



STRIX OCCIDENTALIS LUCIDA (Nelson). 



Symium occidentale lucidum Nelson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., vol. 16, November 

 30, 1903, p. 152 (Mount Tancitaro, Michoacan, Mexico). 



States of Guanajuato and Michoacan, Mexico. 



Each of these forms was originally described from a single specimen, 

 and the species is still uncommon in museums. Recent collecting for 

 the United States Biological Survey has resulted in the acquisition of 

 eight adult specimens of Strix ocddentalis Jiuachucae, aU in fine adult 

 autumn plumage, six of them from New Mexico, the others from 

 Arizona. The types of Stnx ocddentalis caurina and Strix ocddentalis 

 ludda are also in the Biological Survey collection; while in addition 

 the United States National Museum possesses the type of Strix ocd- 

 dentalis ocddentalis and another California specimen; one adult Strix 

 ocddentalis ludda from Guanajuato, Mexico; and a practically topo- 

 typical example of Strix ocddentalis huacTiucae. Through the kindness 



Proceedings U. S. National Museum, Vol. 49— No. 2106. 



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