1917.] Chapman, Distribution of Bird-life in Colombia. 255 



(720) Glaucidium brasilianum brasilianum (Gmel.). 



Strix brasiliana Gmbl., Syst. Nat., I, 1788, p. 289 (Brazil). 



Glaucidium ferox Allen, Bull. A. M. N. H., XIII, 1900, p. 132 (Bonda). 



This does not appear to be a common bird in the country we have 

 visited. Its habits quickly make its presence known, nevertheless a female 

 collected by Miller at Florencia is the only one we have secured. 



Florencia, 1. 



(721) Glaucidium brasilianum phalaenoides {Baud.). 

 Strix phalcmoides Daud., Traits, II, 1800, p. 205 (Trinidad). 



A specimen from La Playa, near Barranquilla, is matched by one of 

 seven specimens from Bonda, near Santa Marta, and the series of eight 

 birds, containing as it does examples in both rufous and gray and inter- 

 mediate plumages, doubtless fairly well represents the form of this Owl oc- 

 cupying northern Colombia. As a whole these birds are lighter than 

 phalmnoides, of which I have six specimens from Trinidad, and darker than 

 ridgwayi, of which we have a large series from Mexico. A specimen in the 

 red phase resembles one in this phase from Costa Rica, but those in the 

 gray or grayish phase have the tail barred with blackish and white, while in 

 all our specimens of ridgwayi the tail is more rufous. In this respect the 

 Colombian specimens are much nearer pKalcenoides. I therefore refer 

 them to that race, in the belief that there is little or nothing to be gained 

 in proposing forms where geographic variation is so slight, and individual 

 variation so great that subsequent identification, except at type-locaUties, 

 becomes largely a matter of opinion.^ In view of its diurnal habits and fre- 

 quently uttered call, the Pygmy Owl is easily observed and collected, and 

 our failure to secure it elsewhere in Colombia than at the localities above 

 mentioned, is negative evidence of some value. 



La Playa, 1. 



(722) Glaucidium jardini (Bonap.). 



Phalceopsis jardinii Bonap., Compte Rend., XLI, 1855, p. 654 (Andes of Quito). 

 Glaucidium jardiniiScL. &Salv., P. Z. S., 1879, p. 539 (Sta. Elena). 



1 Since the above was written, the Santa Marta form has been described by W. E. C. Todd as 

 Glaacidiam brasilianum medianum in the Froc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XXIX, 1916, p. 9S. 



