154 
ON THE GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY 
camp-fires at night, where it would have been welcome but for its ominous notes, which 
were anything but agreeable. It is distributed throughout all temperate North America. 
Brachyotus Cassinii, Brewer. 
Short-eared Owl. Baird, General Report on Birds, p. 54. 
This owl must certainly be very rare on the Upper Missouri. We were able to secure 
but two specimens during our explorations, and these were taken on White river and near 
the Bad Lands. I think I have seen the same species at other localities, but quite rarely. 
Generally diffused. 
Syrnium nebulosum, Gray. 
Barred Owl. Baird, General Report on Birds, p. 56. 
Quite rare, but one specimen secured. Prof. Baird says of this bird: “ Though of fre¬ 
quent occurrence in the States of the Atlantic, this species has not yet been observed in 
the countries w T est of the Pocky mountains. The only specimen in the present collection 
is from the Territory of Nebraska, and is of especial interest, as demonstrating the most 
western locality yet determined of this bird. 
Athene hypugaea, Bonap. 
Prairie Owl. Baird, General Report on Birds, p. 59. 
I do not now remember that I have ever seen a prairie dog village in the Northwest 
that was not inhabited by one or more pairs of this interesting and somewhat peculiar 
bird. It does not appear to live with the dogs, but to take possession of the deserted holes, 
where it retires on the least approach of danger. It is not confined, however, to the vil¬ 
lages of the prairie dog, but is often seen near the deserted holes of wolves, foxes, and 
other burrowing animals of the prairie. It probably consumes no nobler prey than insects 
or small mice. Its range is from the Mississippi to the Rocky mountains. 
Conurus Carolinensis, Kuhl. 
Parakeet. Baird, General Report on Birds, p. 67. 
Very abundant in the Mississippi valley, along the thickly wooded bottoms as far up the 
Missouri as Fort Leavenworth, possibly as high as the mouth of the Platte, but never 
seen above that point. Mostly confined to the South and Southwestern States. 
Coccygus Americanus, Bonap. 
Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Baird, General Report on Birds, p. 76. 
Quite common along the wooded bottoms of streams in the Northwest. Its range is 
Eastern United States to the Missouri plains. 
