Plate L. 



SCOPS FLAMMEOLA. 



(FLAMMULATED OWLET). 



Scops fiammeola . . . Licht. in Mus. Berol. : Nomencl. p. 7. 



Kaup, Trans. Z. S. iv, p. 226. 

 Schlegel, Mus. de P. B. Oti, p. 27. 

 Sclater, P.Z.S. 1858, p. 96. 

 Scl. et Salv. P.Z.S. 1868, p. 57. 



Supra grisescenti-fuscus, nigro striatus et vermiculatus, scapularium marginibus et capitis plumis partim rufo 

 variegatis ; remigum primariorura pogoniis externis maculis quadratis albis ornatis : subtus grisescenti-albus, plumis. 

 omnibus striga rachidali et fasciis numerosis transversis nigris instructis : gula et pectore rufescente partim tinctis : 

 tarsis omnino plumosis, albis, nigro paulum variegatis : rostro pallide corneo, apice flavicante ; pedibus fuscis : long, 

 tota 7*0, alse 55, caudse 1*6, tarsi 0*9. 



Sab. in Mexico merid. : Jalapa (Salle): Orizaba (Sumichrast): California, boreali (Feilner): Guatemala (Salvin). 



This Owl is one of the many Mexican species named but never described by the late 

 Professor Lichtenstein. Dr. Kaup, however, has given full characters of it, in his memoir on 

 the Strigidge published in the Zoological Society's " Transactions", under Lichtenstein' s MS. 

 name which has been generally adopted. 



Scops fiammeola is readily distinguishable from every other American species of the genus 

 (except Scops barbarus) by its diminutive size, which is nearly the same as that of our familiar 

 European bird. Its plumage below presents the same character of markings as that of S. asio 

 and S. trichopsis, but, besides its size, the wholly bare toes at once distinguish the present bird. 

 The third and fourth primaries of the wing are very nearly equal and longest, the fifth being 

 slightly shorter, and the second of the same length as the sixth. The edgings of the external 

 scapularies form a rufous line between the wing and the back, which we have not noticed in any 

 other species of the group. This feature is well represented in our figure, which is taken from 

 a specimen obtained by Salvin at Duenas in Guatemala in January 1863. 



Besides Mexico and Guatemala, which we have already mentioned as localities for this 

 Owl, a portion of the Western United States is likewise embraced within its range. A skin 

 collected by Mr. Feilner in August 1860, at Fort Crook, in Northern California, in the collection of 

 the Smithsonian Institution (No. 24,1 72) undoubtedly belongs to this species. A second specimen 

 in the same collection was obtained by Professor Sumichrast in the mountains of Orizava. It 

 is marked " iris golden-yellow, cere olive-yellow." We have to record our great obligations to 

 the authorities of the Smithsonian Institution for the loan of these and many other specimens 

 of American Owls. 



July, 1868. 



[99] 



