The Horned Owls 



Occurrence in California. — Recorded sparingly from the northeastern plateau 

 district, probably the resident form. 



Authorities. — Swarth, Condor, vol. xxiii., I92i,p. 136 (Shumway, Lassen Co.); 

 Oberhoher, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvii., 1904, p. 191 (monogr.). 



No. 218d Dusky Horned Owl 



A. O. U. No. 375c. Bubo virginianus saturatus Ridgway. 



Description. — Adult: Similar to B. v. pacificus, but larger and darker; the dusky 

 of upper plumage more extensive, the tawny somewhat reduced; underparts much 

 darker, the ground-color (except area of breast) often entirely tawny, the dusky 

 markings heavier, sometimes nearly confluent; the toes usually mottled, sometimes 

 prevailingly dusky. Adult male: length 542.3 (21.35); wing 348.3 (13.71); tail 212.3 

 (8.36); bill 28.9 (1.14). Adult female: length 593.1 (23.35); wm g 374-7 (H-75) I tail 

 227.2 (8.95); bill from cere 30 (1.18). 



Remarks. — A strongly marked form from the northern coast belt whose influence 

 is felt as far south as Monterej', prevailingly to San Francisco Bay region. A typical 

 example of the darkening, "saturating," influence of humidity. 



Recognition Marks. — As in B. v. pacificus; larger, darker. 



Range of B. v. saturatus. — Pacific Coast district from southern Alaska to south 

 central California. 



Distribution in California. — Resident in the humid coastal strip, broadly 

 defined at the north and including the San Franciscan embayment, narrowly defined 

 in the southern reaches to about the southern border of San Luis Obispo County. 

 "Probably of casual occurrence in the central Sierras" (Grinnell). 



Authorities. — Vigors {Bubo virginianus), Zool. Voy. "Blossom," 1839, p. 15 

 (San Francisco) ; Grinnell, Pac. Coast Avifauna, no. 11, 191 5, p. 73 (status in Calif.). 



BY A FANTASTIC quirk of history the grizzly bear (Ursus hor- 

 ribilis) has become the emblem of California. In justification of this early 

 whim, we can only urge that the bear is enthusiastic in welcome and gets 

 an everlasting grip upon the stranger who ventures within her borders. 

 In presenting Bubo horribilis, the grizzly bear of the bird world, we shall 

 not be able to offer anything beyond the above named characteristics in 

 his favor. He loves the darkness because his deeds are evil ; and after the 

 protecting sun has set, woe betide the mole or rabbit, Partridge, Jay, or 

 Chanticleer, who dares to stir where this monster is a-wing. When cap- 

 tured in a trap, as he sometimes is by aggrieved poultry fanciers, the 

 ruffling of the feathers, the alternate hissing and fierce snapping of the 

 mandibles, and the greenish yellow light which comes flashing from 

 the great saucer eyes, all give fair warning of what one may expect from 

 the free foot once it gets a chance to close upon a victim. 



Horned Owls in a state of nature do not pose for inspection unless 

 forcibly detained. A steel trap is, of course, the surest method of deten- 

 tion, but a mob of Blue-fronted Jays ranks a close second. Nothing can 

 exceed the joy of the Jay upon the discovery of one of these grim death's 



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