MR. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 29 



mens only being slightly emarginate. Bonaparte, in the Comp. List of the Birds of 

 Europe and North America, bestows upon it the name of S. pratincola, and lastly, 

 Audubon, that of S. Americana. 



After comparing the specimens from North and South America and Mexico, con- 

 tained in the Wilson collection, I am satisfied that all these names have been given 

 to a single species, which is distributed over the whole of the tropical and temperate 

 Americas. 



The geographical distribution of this species upon the American continent is one 

 of interest when compared with that of the S. Jlammea of the old world. The latter 

 is also confined to the temperate and tropical regions, being found throughout Africa, 

 and in Europe extending only as far north as Denmark, decreasing in numbers as 

 we proceed northward.* 



The American S. perlata appears to be confined within the 40° of latitude on each 

 side of the Equator, becoming rare in Chili, more abundant in Peru, Brazil, the West 

 Indies and Mexico, but with us again becoming rare as we approach the middle 

 states, beyond which it has not been seen. 



On the Pacific coast I found it as far north as the 37° of latitude, but it is not 

 included in the lists which have been given of the birds of Oref>-on. 



Even were the distinctions between the two birds less marked, I should look upon 

 the fact, that in neither continent do they approach the arctic regions, at the same 

 time that they are spread over so vast an extent of country, as constituting one of the 

 best grounds for their being considered distinct. 



Although much has been said of the difference of colour in the two species, I can 

 discover none ; on the contrary, there is the most perfect resemblance in every respect, 

 except in size and proportions. The length of the wing in the S. jlammea is I U inches, 

 in the S. perlata it is 135 inches; the tail in the former is 5 inches, in the latter 5^ 

 In the size of the bill there is considerable difference, but more in the tarsus, which in 

 the European is about 2* inches in length, while in ours it is 3 inches or more, 

 and, as well as the feet, are very much larger and stouter. 



Young birds of both species are of a light rust colour beneath, speckled Avith 

 roundish dusky spots. In the adult they become pure white beneath, a few of these 

 spots only remaining upon the sides; the colour above is also very much chanoed, 

 growing quite pale. 



This delicate feathered and familiar owl, is in California suflficiently abundant, and 

 presents all the habits ascribed to its European relative. Its favourite resort is in 

 the neighbourhood of the tovi^ns and Missions, although it may be found also about 

 farm houses, and occasionally in prairie valleys, which furnish it with abundance of 



* Yarrell's British Birds,, vol. 1, p. 129.' 

 S 



