The bird book 
380. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. 
Glaucidium phalcenoides. 
Range. — Mexico and Central America; north to the Mex- 
ican border of the United States. 
This species is of the same size as the last, but is much 
tinged with rufous on the upper parts, and the tail is of a 
bright chestnut brown color, crossed by about eight bars 
of black. They nest in hollow cavities in trees, from ten 
to forty feet from the ground, laying three or four glossy 
white eggs; size 1.10 x .90. 
381. Elf Owl. Micropallas whitneyi. 
Range. — Mexico, north to the bordering states. 
This odd little bird is the smallest 
member of the family found in Amer- 
ica, attaining a length of only six in- 
ches. In plumage it may be described 
as similar to a very small, earless 
Screech Owl, only with the pattern of 
the markings a great deal finer. They 
are said to be quite abundant in the 
table lands of central Mexico and in 
southern Arizona, where they build 
their nests in deserted Woodpeckers’ holes, perhaps most frequently in the 
giant cactus. It is said to be more nocturnal than the Pygmy Owls and to feed 
almost exclusively upon insects. They lay from three to five eggs having a 
slight gloss. Size 1.02 x .90. Data. — Southern Arizona, May 22, 1902. Nest in a 
deserted Woodpecker hole. Two eggs. 
