3 ; )2 
SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
brethren of the same species in the States; the color being a 
deeper and brighter brown. The Strix nyciaea,. Great Snow 
Owl, is well known as an inhabitant of almost all the 
northern parts of America. It preys on rats, birds and hares, 
and is a very dexterous fisher. The Indians, and even the 
white residents, sometimes eat it, and indeed its flesh is very- 
white and palatable. Several other owls inhabit this country, 
among which must be mentioned the little Strix cunicularia , 
which seems to reverse the habits of its family, by living in the 
burrows of the prairie marmot. They may be seen in great 
numbers just at the close of evening, sitting at the mouths of 
their holes on the sandy plains. 
Lanius borealis , The Northern Shrike ; several species of 
Tyrannies and Tyrannula , Fly-catchers ; Merula migratoria , 
The Robin ; Orpheus felivox , The Cat-bird ; Orpheus rufus, 
The Brown Thrush; several Sylvicolce ; Alauda , The Lark, 
one or two species; Ernberiza nivalis , The Snow Bunting; 
Icterusphceniceus, The Redwing, are found in various parts of 
the Californias as well as in the United States. 
Loxia leucoptera , The Cross-bill, is found all over the 
country in the pine forests, and displays great dexterity in 
picking out with its curiously constructed bill the seeds of the 
pine cones, which are its principal food. 
Corvus corax , The Raven, is numerous in many parts of 
the Californias, and differs not at all in plumage and habits 
from its brethren in the United States Corvus corone, The 
Crow, is also found in great numbers. 
Corvus pica , The Magpie, much resembles in general ap¬ 
pearance the European species, from which it differs in size, 
being considerably larger, and its colors are rather deeper 
and more brilliant. It is a bold and saucy bird, living upon 
various kinds of reptiles and even small birds, is fond of car¬ 
rion of ail sorts, and has often the impudence to visit the 
camp of the hunter and carry off his meat. 
Garrulus cristatus , The Common Blue Jay, and another 
smaller species, probably G. Steileri , are quite common. The 
