262 
123. Scops asio, (Linn.), var. maccalli , Cass.—Western Mottled Owl. 
The little Screech Owl is a common resident of California, as it is indeed in all the 
wooded portions of the far west. Its habits, however, are so strictly nocturnal that its 
presence is easily overlooked. 
I have never seen the var. maccalli in any but the gray plumage, nor can I ascertain 
that the red phase of coloration of this variety has been noted by others. The Pigmy 
Owl ( Grlaucidium gnoma) has been found by several observers to be quite numerous in 
the mountains of the State. Of the Flammulated Owlet (Scops flammeola) , a single speci¬ 
men was taken at Fort Crook. The Whitney’s Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) occurs in the 
Colorado Valley, where the type-specimen was shot by Dr. Cooper. The two last may 
occur over much of the southern portion of the State, but their small size and noc¬ 
turnal habits render them extremely liable to be overlooked. 
No. 
ex. 
Locality. 
Date. 
Collector. 
‘252 
d 
Fort Tejon, Cal. 
July 26 
H. W. Hensliaw. 
124. Otus vulgaris, (Linn.), var. wilsonianus, (Less.).—Long-eared Owl. 
Like the Barn Owl, this species is prone to congregate together, and it is uncommon 
in the West for one to stumble upon one of these birds roosting in retirement without 
finding that the same thicket or grove shelters a number. Such was the case at Los 
Angeles, where the same swamps that gave protection to the Barn Owl also afforded a 
congenial retreat to this species, and while threading the tangled mazes I several times 
saw three or four start out from the same spot. 
This owl is extremely averse to facing the sunlight, though when forced to do so its 
eyesight is pretty good. 
125. Speotyto cuniculari, (Mol.), var. liypugcva , (Bom).—Burrowing Owl. 
Nowhere in the West does this Owl occur oftener or in greater numbers than in 
Southern California, and according to the observations of others it appears to be 
equally numerous in the northern part of the State. 
The deserted holes of the destructive Ground Squirrel (Spermopliilus beecheyi) furnish 
it w T ith its usual abode. The birds are very often to be seen during the hours of sun¬ 
light sunning themselves at the mouths of the burrows. They are not, howmver, very 
active by day, except when disturbed in their meditations, when, with a few expos- 
tulatory notes, they fly off a few hundred yards to a neighboring hillock, whence they 
can keep a good lookout. Their sight under such circumstances is most excellent, and 
they have no difficulty when so minded in keeping themselves out of danger. Not¬ 
withstanding this, I have never seen them in pursuit of food during the day, and should 
say that this was obtained wholly after nightfall. In the uninhabited districts I have 
usually found them rather wary, but in the settled parts of California they are quite 
the reverse, and I have seen them sitting by the roadside paying no attention to the 
teams and passers-by. It is generally supposed that among other items of tlieir faro 
are the young of the squirrels. This I have never confirmed, though presuming such 
to be the case. They are known to eat mice, lizards, and snakes. 
Falconidae—Falcons. 
$.26. Falco communis, Grnel., var. anatum, Bon..—Duck Hawk. 
This Hawk appears to be rather common in Southern California, being perhaps most 
so on the coast. It is numerous on the Santa Barbara Islands; also present around 
Kern Lake, where the w r ater-fowl which reside here throughout the year furnish it with 
the most of its food. 
127. Falco columbarius, Linn.—Pigeon Hawk. 
At quite a number of localities in Southern California I noted Hawks which appeared 
to be of this well-known species. The following variety, however, is remarkably close 
to this species, and hence I may have confounded the two, and a portion of those sup¬ 
posed to belong here may have really been of the next variety, if that be really dis¬ 
tinct. 
The true Pigeon llaw r k is, however, from the observations of others, w T ell distributed 
over California. 
128. Falco columbarius, Linn., var. r i char (Ison i, Ridgw.—American Merlin. 
It does not appear at all certain that this variety, established by Mr. Ridgway, will 
viot be found to be merely a special plumage of the Pigeon Hawk. It was supposed to 
Be confined to the interior region east of ilie Rocky Mountains. It is, however, found 
in Southern California, and I think not uncommonly, though I took but a singlo speci- 
