SCOPS KENNICOTTI. 
KENNICOTT’S SCREECH-OWL. 
SCOPS KENNICOTTI, Elliot. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scion., (1867), p. 99.— Sclat. & Salv. Ex. Ornith. Part YU., p. 102, 
This new form of Screech-Owl was obtained in Sitka by the naturalists attached to the expedition engaged in stretching the lines 
which are to place in telegraphic communication the two great continents of America and Asia; and is a most interesting addition to 
our Avi-fauna. Kexnicott’s Owl is intermediate in size with the Scops Asio and Otus Wilsonianus, but is very different from both of these : 
one of its most distinctive characters being a concealed tuft of white feathers just above the ears. 
The specimen whose portrait is here presented, is unique, and forms one of the attractions of the Chicago Academy of Natural 
Sciences, and was kindly loaned to me, for the purpose of being introduced into this work, by the officers of that institution. 
Nothing is known regarding this bird, the single specimen sent to us being the only evidence we have of its existence, and 1 cannot 
even state if it is rare in the locality where it is found. 
I quote from my article on this bird, published in the proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy. 
“ In bestowing on this Owl the name which I trust it is ever destined to bear, I simply express the desire which I am sure is felt 
by all ornithologists, to render honor to him, who, combining the intrepidity of the explorer with the enthusiasm of the naturalist, twice 
penetrated the forbidding cheerless districts of the far north, in order to extend the knowledge of his favorite science; and who perished 
in his early manhood, in the full tide of his usefulness, on the banks of the Yukon. Ornithology lias met no greater loss, in these later 
days, than in the death of Robert Kennicott.” 
The specimen may be described as follows: Head and upper parts light-rufous brown, each feather having a central streak oi brownish- 
black, and also barred with the same color. Outer feathers of the inter-scapulars have the outer webs light buff, forming a distinct bar. 
Wings same color as the back. Primaries dark brown, outer webs marked with distinct spots of light buff, slightly discernible on the 
inner. Secondaries blackish-brown, outer webs distinctly spotted with dark buff. Tertials mottled with light, buff and black. Ear-tufts 
light huff, with a central streak of black, and barred with the same; broadest on the outer webs. Feathers of the disk reddish-brown; 
those covering the nostrils, soiled white with black shafts. Concealed patches of white equi-distant between the ear-tufts and the ears. 
Upper part of breast light buff; the feathers having black central streaks. Flanks light buff, with a central black streak on each feather 
and a bar of yellowish-white near their tips. Abdomen and under-tail coverts yellowish-white, a few r indistinct brown bars on the latter. 
Tarsi reddish-brown, feet yellowish-white. Bill black, white at tip ; claws chestnut at base, remainder black. 
The figure is life-size. 
