SPEOTYTO CUNICCULARIA VAR. HYPOG^A. 321 



least among our raptorial birds, if not the smallest known Owl. It was 

 discovered at Fort Mojave, in 1860, by Dr. J. G. Cooper, to whose exer- 

 tions in developing the zoology of the West we are so much indebted. 

 We learn from Dr. Cooper's account that it is an arboreal, not a terres- 

 trial species, is partly diurnal, and feeds upon insects. It is probably a 

 rare bird, to judge from its having remained so long undetected. But 

 Mr. A. J. Grayson lately found it on Socoi-ro Island, off the coast of 

 Mexico, while several specimens have been taken in Arizona, by Lieut. 

 C. Bendire, and Mr. ET.'W. Henshaw. The former found it breeding 

 in the hollow of a mezquite stump. 



Note.— As this species is still uot generally known, I deviate from my usual course 

 to present the following description : Bill small and weak, narrow at the base, which 

 is hidden among recurved and closely appressed bristly feathers. Facial disk imper- 

 fect. No ear-tufts. Wings very long, but rounded, the first primary only J the third 

 ■and fourth, which are equal and longest ; second equal to sixth. Tail of moderate 

 length, not graduated ; the reotrioes broad at the tip. Tarsi nearly naked, the feath- 

 ers extending but a little way below the heel-joint ; rest of the tarsus, and the upper 

 surfaces of the toes, sparsely covered with short bristly hairs. Middle toe and claw 

 about as long as the tarsus; hind toe lengthened. Claws remarkably small, weak, 

 and little curved ; hardly more than insessorial, instead of raptorial, in character. The 

 foregoing are rather the generic than the specific characters, and are those ujion which 

 the genus Micrathene was established. It agrees with Athene, to which the bird was 

 referred by its discoverer, in the imperfect disk and mostly naked tarsi ; but is other- 

 wise quite diiferent and more nearly related to Nyctale, Glaucidimn, &c., from which 

 again, it is notably distinct ; nor do I know of any established genus of Owls to which 

 the species could probably be referred. It presents an entirely peculiar combination 

 of characters. The slight claws are an especial feature. The following account of the 

 colors, &c., is compiled from the original description, as the specimen itself is not .at 

 hand at time of writing. Above light brownish-gray, thickly spotted with angular 

 pale brown dots, especially on the crown ; those on the back larger ; back also obso- 

 letely barred with wavy lines of the same color. A concealed white collar on back of 

 neck, forming a bar across the middle of the feathers, which are plumbeous at base 

 and brown at tip. Quills with three to six spots on each web, those of the inner webs 

 white, those of outer web of the fourth, third and second, white, the others brown. 

 A row of white spots on lesser coverts ; four on upper, seven on lower series, with a 

 row of light brown spots between ; outer secondaries with a few white spots ; outer 

 scapulars with a white stripe, edged by pale brown stripes nearer the back ; outer 

 wing-feathers dark brown, with pale, ashy dots near the ends of the secondaries. 

 Eectrices like the primaries, the light spots forming five broken bars and a narrow ter- 

 minal b.ar. Feathers above the eye white," with black spotted shafts ; below it, light 

 brown, obsoletely barred with dark ; bristles at base of bill black on terminal half. Chin 

 and throat white, the lower feathers light brown, the white forming abroad crescent from 

 side to side. Sides of neck narrowly barred with ashy and light and dark brown ; 

 breast imperfectly barred and blotched with the same colors ; toward the abdomen, 

 the brown forming large patches, margined with grey and white. Sides more gravish, 

 tinged with yellowish, the flanks plumbeous; tibiae narrowly barred with light". and 

 dark brown. Tarsal bristles white ; those of the toes yellowish. Bill, pale greeu ; iris, 

 bright yellow. Length, 6.25; extent, 15.25; wing, 4.50; tail, 2.25 ; tarsus, 0.90 ; mid- 

 dle toe and claw, 1.30 ; hind toe and claw, 0.50 ; gape, 0.45 ; height of bill, 0.30 ; width 

 at base, 0.40. 



SPEOTYTO CUNICULARIA var. HYPOG^A, (Bp.) Coues. 

 Burrowing Owl. 



a. cunicularia. 



Stria cunicularia, MoL., Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, 1872, 343.— Gm., Syst. Nat. i, 1788, 292.— 

 Lath., Ind. Orn. i, 1790, 63 (Noctua coquimbana, Briss., i, 525 ; Coquimbo Owl, 

 Lath., Gen. Syn. i, 145).— Daud., Tr. Orn. ii, 201.— Meyen, N. Act. Leop. Car. 

 xvi, Suppl. 70.— LiCHT., Verz. 59.— Maxim., Beit, iii, 248 ; Eeise, ii, 191, 344. 



Ulula cunicularia, FKVlujt,E, Journ. Obs. Phys. 562. 



J^octua cunicii Jaria, Darw., Journ. Res. 145. — D'Orb., Voy. 128. 



Otus cuniciilaria, Cnv., E6gne Anim. i, 2d ed. 341. 



Surnia cunicularia, Bp., Observ. Cuv. E. A. 50. 



Njjcii-petes cunicularia, Sw., Classif. Birds, ii, 1837, 218. 



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