178 ZOOLOGY. 



8ome of the finest specimens tliat we have ever seen of this kind are in the present collection. 

 We regard them, liowcver, as identical with the bird of North America. This species is repre- 

 sented to be rare in Chile. 



ATHENE CUNICULARIA, (Molina.) 



Strvx cunicularia, MoL. Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, 1782. 



Strix californica, AuD. B. of Am. PL ccccxii; (name on plate.) 



AtJiene patagonica, Peale, Zool. Exp. Exp. Vincennes, Birds, 78, first edition 1848. 



Noctua cunicularia, (Linn) Gay, Fauna Chilena Aves, 245. 



VuLG. Burroiving Oivl. Pequen. 



This species, very similar to the Burrowing Owl of North America, is abundant on the Pam- 

 pas, and, like that species, is found in large communities. It lives in holes in the ground, 

 which, in some instances, it excavates for itself, but prefers appropriating those made by various 

 small quadrujieds, and is one of the few Owls that habitually venture abroad by daylight. 



This bird is larger than, and quite distinct from, the North American species, (Athene 

 hi/pugrca,) though apparently very similar in its habits. 



Lieutenant Gilliss remarks : "This is the most common of the Owl tribe in Chile, and a pair 

 may often be encountered in daylight watching from a cactus or hedge an opportunity to strike 

 one of the numerous field-rats, lizards, &c., which have their holes in the vicinity." 



GLAUCIDIUM NANUM, (Vigors.) 



Strix nana, Via. Zool. Jour. Ill, 18-27, 427. 

 Strix ferox, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. VII, 1817, 22. 

 Noctua pumila, Gat, Fauna Chilena, Aves, 244. 

 VuLG. Dwarf Owl. Ghuncho. 

 Figure. — Geay's Gen. of Birds, I, PL xii. 



One of the smallest of the birds of this family, and of frequent occurrence in Chile. 



Older II. INCESSORES. 

 Tribe I. CONIROSTRE]S. 



rSAEACOLIUS CUEAEUS, (Molina. 

 Plate XV. Adult male. 



Sturnus curaeus, Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, 1782. 



Sturnus aterrimus, Kitilitz, Mem. Acad. St. Petersburg, II, 1334, 467. 



Leiestes niger, Swainson, Cab. Cy. Birds, Pt. Ill, 1838, 304. 



Agelaius curaeus (Molina,) Gay, Fauna Chilena, Aves, 348. 



VuLG. Chilean Blackbird. Tordo. 



This bird, allied to the Grakles and Blackbirds of North America, is abundant in Chile and 

 other countries of western South America, and, like its relatives of the north, congregates iu 

 large flocks at seasons when not occupied with the duties of incubation. It habitually frequents 



