NO. 2106. NOTES ON THE SPOTTED OWL—OBERHOLSER. 255 



Our investigation has resulted, furthermore, in the interesting dis- 

 covery that there are two well-marked color phases in Strix occiden- 

 talis, the lighter of which is of comparatively rare occurrence. One 

 of these phases is characterized above by a deep clove brown ground 

 color, below by markings of similar color, and is represented by many 

 of the specimens in the Arizona-New Mexico series, as weU as by the 

 types of Symium occidentale caurinum Merriam and Symium occi- 

 dentdle lucidum Nelson. The other phase is rather light rufescent 

 brown above, with similar markings below, and is exempHfied by the 

 specimen from Tucson (No. 84433, U.S.N.M.). Between these two 

 phases there are various intermediates, represented in our series by 

 the types of Strix occidentalis occidentalis and Strix occidentalis 

 huacjiucae; several further examples from Arizona and New Mexico, 

 and a specimen from Pasadena, Cahfornia (No. 135190, U.S.N.M.). 



Another point, which the measurements bring out, and which seems 

 worthy of notice, is that the female in this species is but httle larger 

 than the male, showing much less difference in this respect than is 

 usual among owls. 



In view of the above conclusions, the races of this species wUl now 

 stand as follows : 



STRIX OCCIDENTALIS OCCIDENTALIS (Xantus). 



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

 Symium occidentale caurinum Mereiam, Auk, vol. 15, January, 1898, p. 40. 



Type-locality. — Fort Tejon, California. 



Geographical distribution. — Pacific coast region of the United 

 States, in Washington, Oregon, and Cahfornia; also north to southern 

 British Columbia; south to northern Lower California; and east to 

 eastern California. 



Measurements.^ — Male: Total length (in flesh), 436.9 mm.;' 

 extent of wing, 763. ^ 



Female: Total length (in flesh), 431.8-489 (average, 463.6) mm.;' 

 extent of wing, 1041.4.^ 



Male:* Wmg, 301-322 (average, 309.8) mm.; tail, 200-204 (202); 

 exposed culmen, 29.3-32 (30.9); culmen from cere, 20.5-21.2 (20.9); 

 tarsus, 51-54.5 (52.5). 



Female: 5 Wmg, 304-315 (average, 309.9) mm.; tail, 193-213 

 (204.9); exposed culmen, 30-33 (31.7); culmen from cere, 20-23.8 

 (22); tarsus, 53-54 (53.7). 



> Measurements in this paper are in millimeters, and have been taken as explained in the writer's article 

 on Butorides virescens (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 42, August 29, 1912, p. M3), except for "culmen from cere," 

 which is the chord of the culmen taken from the tip of the maxilla to the anterior edge of the cere. 



* One specimen. 



* Three specimens. 



* Four specimens, from California. 



6 Seven specimens, from California and Washington. 



