CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCKS. 
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14:. Scops KennicotU Elliot. (50a.) Kenuicott's Owl. Obtained 
at Sitka by Bischoff. (See Prof. Baird's paper). 
15. Brachy'otiis Cassinii Brewer. (52.) Short-Eared Owl. Not 
uncommon at Nulato. Frequently flies about in the day-time. One 
of these birds followed my boat for half an hour when traveling down 
the Yukon, one cloudy day, until the superstitious fears of my Indians 
being excited, they shot it. The liver is supposed by them to be a 
deadly poison if administered by a man, but acts as a love-philtre if 
received from a woman. If the discovery is made before eating, the 
charm is broken. D. 
The only owl observed on St. Michael's Island, where it was not a 
very infrequent visitor, though it could not be called common, was seen 
flying about on one occasion in the day-time, but was generally seen 
after sundown. The one specimen obtained was unfortunately destroyed 
by damp. It was picked up dead, though still fresh and undecoraposed, 
and on skinning it many small, white, thread-like worms were found in 
the cavity of the skull. B. 
16. Syrnium cinereum Aud. (53.) Gray Owl. Obtained at 
Sitka by BischolF. Iris light yellow. April 20th, 1867, got a female 
shot in Takitesky, about twenty miles east of the Yukon River, at Nulato. 
April 16th, 1868, and subsequently got a large number, six or eight of 
both sexes. This owl is very stupid, and may easily be caught with the 
hand during the day-time. From its awkward motions it has obtained 
the name of " iViuA/-<wA/," or " Aeawy walker,'''' from the Indians. Feeds 
principally on small birds; I found thirteen crania and other remains 
of Aeffiot/ms linaria in the crop of one of these owls. Eaten by the old 
men and women to whom this and a number of similar delicacies are 
peculiar. If a young person eats it, she will grow old very fast and die 
early, according to the Indians. D. 
17. Nyctale tengmalmi Bon. (55.) Sparrow Owl. April 28, 1867, 
at Nulato, got a female of this species, the smallest owl found here. 
We often heard it crying, almost like a human being, in the evening 
at Nulato. It is not uncommon and quite fearless. It can be taken 
in the hand without attempting to fly away, but bites viciously. Fre- 
quently seen in the day time sitting on the trees. According to the 
Indians, it lays six very round white eggs, generally in a hole in a dead 
ti'ee. D. 
18. Kyctea nivea Gray. (61.) White Owl. Iris yellow. Got 
from Takitesky, near Nulato, a fine female, April 27, 1867. Mr. Thos. 
S. Denison collected at Eg6wik, Norton Bay, a male of this species 
during the month of April, 1867. This species is rather rare in the 
valley of the Lower Yukon, but I have seen it twice flying over the ice 
in the winter season. It flies quite readily during the day, and is very 
alert aud active, seldom waiting for one to get in range. D. 
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