RAPTORES. 



109 



cies in being constantly larger and darker colored, and we fidly coin- 

 cide in the propriety of its being regarded as a distinct species. The 

 conclvisions, however, of Dr. Brewer, we beg leave to say, are always 

 entitled to the greatest consideration and respect from his masterly 

 ability and long experience as an ornithologist, and exceeding careful- 

 ness of observation. 



The Short-eared Owl is not uncommon in the Northern and Middle 

 States in the winter season, and is almost exclusively to be found in 

 the vicinity of marshes or swamps, or near streams of water. It raises 

 its young principally in the far North, though occasionally a few re- 

 main during the summer within the limits of the United States. 



5. Genus ATHENE, Bole, Isis, 1822, p. 549. 

 1. Athene htpugcea {Bonap.). — The Burrowing Owl. 



Strix hypvgoea, BoNAP. Am. I, p. 72 (1825). 



Athene socialis, Gambel, Proc. Acad. Philad. Ill, p. 47 (1846). 



Bonap. Am. Orn. I, Plate VII, fig. 2; Aud. B. of Am. Plate 

 CCCCXXXII, fig. 1 ; Oct. ed. I, Plate XXXI. 



Specimens in the collection are from the Columbia River, above the 

 mouth of the Wallawalla. According to Mr. Peale, this bird "was 

 not found on the coast (of the Pacific), nor in that country lying be- 

 tween the Columbia River and California." He states, too, respecting 

 this and the succeeding species : " This entire sub-genus, as far as 

 opportunities were offered to observe the species during the progress 

 of the Expedition, was found to be diarnal, and their food to consist 

 almost entirely of insects and lizards, but principally the former. 

 They all avoid the forests, and live entirely in the ijampas or prairies." 



2. Athene cunicularia {Molina) —IhQ South American 

 Burrowing Owl. 



Strix cunicularia, MoL. Sagg. Stor. Nat. Cbili (1782). 

 Strix californica, AuD. B. of Am. PI. CCCCXXXII, fig. 2 (name on plate). 



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