MOTTLED OWL. 201 
of this species of smilax, and make a great ado when any one comes 
near their nest; approaching within a few feet, looking down, and 
scolding with great vehemence. In Pennsylvania they are a numeér- 
ous species, 
The White-eyed Flycatcher is five inches and a quarter long, and 
seven in extent; the upper parts are a fine yellow olive, those below, 
white, except the sides of the breast, and under the wings, which are 
yellow ; line round the eye, and spot near the nostril, also rich yel- 
low; wings, deep dusky black, edged with olive green, and crossed 
with two bars of pale yellow; tail, forked, brownish black, edged with 
green olive ; bill, legs, and feet, light blue; the sides of the neck in- 
cline to a grayish ash. The female and young of the first season are 
scarcely distinguishable in plumage from the male. 
— lees 
MOTTLED OWL.—STRIX NAVIA. — Fic. 89. 
Arct. Zool. 231, No. 118.— Lath. i. 126.— Turton, i. 167. — Peale’s Museum, 
No. 444. 
STRIX ASIO —Linnzvs.* 
Strix asio, Bonap. Synop. p. 36.—Hibou asio, Temm. Pl. col. pl. 80.—The 
Little Screech Owl, Aud. pl. 97, adult and young; Orn. Biog. i. p. 486. 
On contemplating the grave and antiquated figure of this night 
wanderer, so destitute of every thing like gracefulness of shape, I can 
scarcely refrain from smiling at the conceit of the ludicrous appear- 
ance this bird must have made, had Nature bestowed on it the powers 
of song, and’given it the faculty of warbling out sprightly airs, while 
robed in such a solemn exterior. But the great God of Nature hath, 
* The difference in the plumage of- the young and old has caused Wilson to 
fall into a mistake, and multiply species, by introducing the different states under 
distinct, specific appellations. In Fig. 174, is represented the young plumage of 
the bird, under the name which must ie adopted for it, as the original one of Lin- 
neus. The Tawny Owls of this country present similar changes, and were long 
held as distinct, until accurate observers proved their difference. C. L. Bonaparte 
appears to have been the first who made public mention of the confusion which 
existed ; and Mr. Audubon~has illustrated the sexes and young in one of his best 
plates. The species appears peculiar to America. They are scarce in the southern 
districts ; but above the Falls: of the’Ohio they increase in number, and are plenti- 
ful in Virginia, Maryland, and all the eastern districts. Its range to the northward 
perhaps is not very extensive ; it does not_appear to have been met with in the last 
over-land expedition, no mention being made of it in the Northern Zoology. The 
flight: of this Owl, like its congeners, is smooth and noiseless. By Audubon, it is 
said sometimes to rise above the top branches of the highest forest-trecs, whilo in 
pursuit of large beetles, and at other times to sail low and swiftly over the fields 
or through the woods, in search of small birds, field mice, moles, or wood rats. 
from which it chiefly derives its subsistence. According to some gentlemen, the 
nest is placed at the bottom of the lollow trunk of a tree, often not at a greater 
height than six or seven feet from the ground, at ¢ther times so high, as from thirty: 
to forty. It is composed of a few grasses and ‘eathers. The eggs are four or 
five, of a nearly globular form, and pure white color. — Ep. 
