108 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



from the Sandwich Islands, in the collection of the Expedition. They 

 are larger and darker colored than the bird of North America ; and, 

 after careful examination, appear to us to be strictly identical with 

 the bird from the Gallapagos Islands, described by Mr. Gould as above. 

 They are, moreover, identical with others that we have seen from 

 Western South America, of which very fine specimens are in Lieut. 

 Gillis's collection, made in Chili, now in the National Museum. 



According to Mr. Peale, this bird was found in all the Hawaiian 

 Islands, visited by the naturalists of the Expedition, and like its rela- 

 tive of North America, inhabited "grassy or reedy plains or marshes, 

 where there are but few trees." 



The name given by Bloxhara, as above, applies about as well to 

 this species, as any other, but is of no value nor authority; his descrip- 

 tion being so short and unsatisfactory as to be entirely useless in the 

 recognition of the intended species. Specimens in the collection are 

 in good plumage and preservation. 



2. Brachtotus Cassinii, Brewer. — The Short-eared Owl. 

 The Marsh Owl. 



Bradiyotus Cassinii, Brewer, Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc. Boston, VI, p. 321 (1856). 

 Strix hrachyotos, FoRSTER, Philos. Trans. London, LXII, p. 384 (1772). 



Wilson, Am. Orn. IV, Plate XXXIII, fig. 3 ; Aud. B. of Am. Plate 

 CCCCX ; Oct. ed. I, Plate XXXVIII. 



According to Mr. Peale, " not uncommon in the prairies of Oregon 

 and California." Numerous specimens from the same countries are in 

 the collections made by the Pacific Railroad Surveying and Exploring 

 Expeditions. This species being of frequent occurrence, also, on the 

 Atlantic seaboard, may very safely be stated to inhabit the whole of 

 North America to the confines of the Arctic Zone, though rare in the 

 Southern States. 



Our esteemed friend, Dr. Brewer, who has done us the honor of 

 applying our name to this bird, has very fully and correctly pointed 

 out its specific characters in his description above cited, and in his 

 very valuable work. North American Oology, Part I, p. 68 (in Smith- 

 sonian Contributions). It differs from the European and Asiatic spe- 



