34 U. S. p. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 



victim to the sportsman. If not killed outright, however severe the wound, he at once beats a 

 retreat, disappearing in his burrow, whence he can be dragged forth only with considerable 

 labor and difficulty. When suddenly alarmed, he flies some distance, then alighting on the 

 ground, jerks his body three or four times successively in an upright position, as if to take an 

 extended view and measure or avoid whatever danger threatens. The nest, formed of a few 

 straws carelessly thrown together at the bottom of a tortuous burrow from 6 to 8 feet in length, 

 contains four nearly spherical eggs, of a pure white. 



GLAUCIDIUM GNOM A, W a g 1 e r .—Little Western Owl. 



Strix passerinoides, Am. B. of A. Fol, pi. 432, figs. 4 & 5. 

 Surnia passerinaides, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. I, p. 117, pi. 30. 

 Glaucidium gnrnna, Cassik, Gen. Eep. IX, 62. 



This beautiful little species is found among the mountainous districts of the mining regions 

 of California, where it cannot be considered a rare bird. It is, however, seldom captured, as it 

 flies generally at night, though sometimes it may be caught perched on the branch of a tree, 

 napping, during the day. In 1852, I shot three of these birds on the borders of the Calaveras 

 river, a friend of mine, Mr. McMuUin, procured another on the Cosumnes, and Mr. Bell, of 

 New York, saw it in 1849, on the American river, thereby showing that it extends over a large 

 portion of California. 



STEIX PEATINCOLA, Bonap.— The American Barn Owl. 



Strix pratincola, DeKay's N. Hia. of N. Y. part 1, p. 31, pi. 13, fig. 28.— Cassin, Gen. Rep. IS, 47. 



Slrix flammm, Nctt. Orn. vol. I, p. 139. — Wits. Am. Orn. vol. VI, p. 57, pi. 50, fig. 2. — Aud. B. of A. Fol. pi. 171. 



Sim americana, Aud. Oct. vol. I, p. 127, pi. 34. 



Quite a common bird in all parts of California. At one time they frequented the old hollow 

 trees of Sacramento City, but have gradually disappeared, as their old haunts have been 

 destroyed to make way for the march of improvement and civilization. I found large numbers 

 in winter ensconced and sheltered during the day among the reeds of Suisun valley. I obtained 

 a living specimen, self-captured, he having entangled himself in the bushes. It is abundant in 

 the old Catholic missions of California^ where it frequents the ruined walls and towers, construct- 

 ing its nest in the crevices and nooks of these once stately buildings, now fast falling to decay, 

 and which form not only a shelter for birds, but also for innumerable bats, reptiles, and vermin 

 of various kinds. 



BRACHYOTUS CASSINII, B r e w e r .—Short-eared Owl. 



Otm brachyotus, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. I, p. 140, pi. 38. 



Strix brachyotus, Aud. Fol. pi. 432, fig. 6.— Nutt. Om. vol. I, p. 132.— Wils. Am. Orn. vol. IV, p. 64, pi. 33, fig 3.— 



Rich, and Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. 11, p. 75. 

 Brachyotus cassinii, (Brewer,) Cassin, Gen. Rep. IX, 53. 



Abundant in Suisun and Napa valleys, being found in equal numbers with the preceding 

 species. When started from the ground or reeds, where it seeks shelter during the day, it flies 

 a few yards and alights again on the ground, not appearing wild or shy in its nature, or perhaps 

 so blinded by the brightness of the sun as to ill distinguish surrounding objects. I started from 

 the bushes a specimen of this bird on the desert extending between the Tejon Pass and the 

 Mohave river, on the borders of which I also met another. 



