GIO 
MR. .1. H. GURNEY ON THE 
not ajDplicable to any species of American Hare .... practically, 
however, the terms hare and rahhit in this country have become 
interchangeable .... though generally, perhaps, there is a tendency 
to restrict the name Hare to the larger species.” 
With regard to the term “ Weasel,” Dr. Coues is of opinion that 
the ordinary Weasel of Xorth America is identical with that of 
Europe, and remarks: “The presence of Mtideki vuhjaris on 
our continent may be considered established ” [vide ‘ Coues’ Fur- 
bearing Animals,’ p. 104). 
The great majority of the Raptorial specimens examined are 
recorded as having been obtained in the more Eastern States of the 
Union, and the comparative abundance, or the reverse, of each 
species, is incidentally illustrated by this record. In this point of 
view it is, I think, remarkable that the large and conspicuous 
Eed-tailed Buzzard [Bideo borealis) appears to be by far the most 
numerous species of any on the list, and the number of these 
Buzzards examined (311) contrasts curiously with the fact of only 
four examples having been obtained of its near congener Buteo 
swaiiisoni. 
In most parts of the world Kestrels are to be found among the 
more abundant of the Eaptores, and the North American member 
of the genus, Tinnunndm sparverius, figures as the second most 
numerous species in the present list, as many as 133 having been 
dissected, 
BMx /)ratinc(>la, the North American subspecies of Bf rix Jlammea, 
has oidy supplied seven examples, indicating either that it is 
a much scarcer bird in the United States than the typical Barn 
Owl is in Europe, or that it is wisely protected in North America 
from the absurd and wanton persecution which so frequently befalls 
its representative in Great Britain. 
The most numerous Owl on the list is the small species Brojis 
asin, which bears in the United States the title of “ Screech Owl.” 
Of this Owl ninety-four specimens were examined, besides Avhich 
it is remarkable that no less than six ivere found to have been 
devoured by other Kaptores ; viz., one by a Bed-tailed Buzzard 
{Buteo borealis), one by a Bed- shouldered Buzzard {Buteo lineatus), 
two by tbe formidable Barred Owl {Byrnmm nelmlosum), and, 
strange to say, two others by cannibalistic individuals of their own 
species. 
