34 
U. S. P. R. K. EXP. AND SURVEYS —ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 
victim to tlie sportsman. If not killed outright, however severe the wound, he at once beats a 
retreat, disappearing in his burrow, whence he can he dragged forth only with considerable 
labor and difficulty. When suddenly alarmed, he flies some distance, then alighting on the 
ground, jerks his body three or four times successively in an upright position, as if to take an 
extended view and measure or avoid whatever danger threatens. The nest, formed of a few 
straws carelessly thrown together at the bottom of a tortuous burrow from 6 to 8 feet in length, 
contains four nearly spherical eggs, of a pure white. 
GLAUCIDIUM GNOMA, W a g 1 e r .—Little Western Owl. 
Strix passerinoidcs, Aud. B. of A. Fol. pi. 432, figs. 4 & 5. 
Surnia passmnoides, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. I, p. 117, pi. 30. 
Glaucidium gnoma, Cassin, Gen. Rep. IX, 62. 
This beautiful little species is found among the mountainous districts of the mining regions 
of California, where it cannot he considered a rare bird. It is, however, seldom captured, as it 
flies generally at night, though sometimes it may be caught perched on the branch of a tree, 
napping, during the day. In 1852, I shot three of these birds on the borders of the Calaveras 
river, a friend of mine, Mr. McMullin, procured another on the Cosumnes, and Mr. Bell, of 
New York, saw it in 1849, on the American river, thereby showing that it extends over a large 
portion of California. 
STRIX PRATINCOLA, Bonap.—The American Barn Owl. 
Strix pratincola, DeKay’s N. His. of N. Y. part 1, p. 31, pi. 13, fig. 28.— Cassin, Gen. Rep. IX, 47. 
Strix flammea, Nutt. Ora. vol. I, p. 139..— Wils. Am. Orn. vol. VI, p. 57, pi. 50, fig. 2.— Aud. B. of A. Fol. pi. 171. 
Strix americana, Aud. Oct. vol. I, p. 127, pi. 34. 
Quite a common bird in all parts of California. At one time they frequented the old hollow 
trees of Sacramento City, but have gradually disappeared, as their old haunts have been 
destroyed to make way for the march of improvement and civilization. I found large numbers 
in winter ensconced and sheltered during the day among the reeds of Suisun valley. I obtained 
a living specimen, self-captured, he having entangled himself in the bushes. It is abundant in 
the old Catholic missions of California, where it frequents the ruined walls and towers, construct¬ 
ing its nest in the crevices and nooks of these once stately buildings, now fast falling to decay, 
and which form not only a shelter for birds, but also for innumerable bats, reptiles, and vermin 
of various kinds. 
BRACHYOTUS CASSINII, Brewer .-Short-eared Owl. 
Otus brachyotus, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. I, p. 140, pi. 38. 
Strix brachyotus , Aud. Fol. pi. 432, fig. 6.— Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 132.— Wils. Am. Ora. vol. IV, p. 64, pi. 33, fig 3.— 
Rich, and Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 75. 
Brachyotus cassinii, (Brewer,) Cassin, Gen. Rep. IX, 53. 
Abundant in Suisun and Napa valleys, being found in equal numbers with the preceding 
species. When started from the ground or reeds, where it seeks shelter during the day, it flies 
a few yards and alights again on the ground, not appearing wild or shy in its nature, or perhaps 
so blinded by the brightness of the sun as to ill distinguish surrounding objects. I started from 
the bushes a specimen of this bird on the desert extending between the Tejon Pass and the 
Mohave river, on the borders of which I also met another. 
