48 
U. S P R. R EXP. AND SURVEYS-ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
Entire upper parts pale fawn color, or tawny brownish yellow, frequently very pale, nearly every feather with a small sub¬ 
terminal black spot succeeded by another of white. Under parts generally pale fawn color, but frequently pure white, with 
small lanceolate and circular spots of brownish black ; under coverts of wings and tail white ; quills fawn colored ; primaries 
with about five irregular transverse bars of brownish black ; tail with about four or five bands of dark brown. Face white ; 
spots of dark chestnut brown around the eyes. Irides brownish black ; bill, toes, and claws light yellowish. 
Total length, female, 16 inches, wing 13, tail 5| inches. Male rather smaller. 
Hab .—Throughout temperate North America. Spec, in Nat. Mus., Washington. 
All the specimens in the present collection are from California. They exhibit the variety in 
shades of color, especially on the under parts of the body, which is usually to be observed in 
this species ; some specimens having these parts perfectly white, and others different shades of 
pale huff or fawn color. There is, however, no American species of this family more easily 
recognized. 
Some specimens from the western countries of North America which have come under our 
notice have the greater portion of the quills very pale colored, occasionally nearly white ; and 
these specimens have, too, usually the under parts white. This is the case with specimens No. 
4349 in Lieutenant Trowbridge’s collection, and No. 6885 in that of Lieutenant Williamson. 
This bird, in the plumage just referred to, approximates quite closely to Strix furcata, (Tem- 
minck PI. Col, 432,) a species from the West India islands, and cannot readily he distinguished 
from it by any character, except a greater degree of whiteness in the West India bird. The 
two species, if such they are, will, however, hear careful comparison. 
List of specimens. 
Catal. No. 
Sex and age. 
Locality. 
When collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Original No. 
Collected by— 
Mea 
5 
hO 
a 
<x> 
isureme 
■+3 
d 
<u 
>4 
nts. 
bh 
a 
% 
4349 
Presidio, Cal_ 
Lieut. Trowbridge . 
4194 
San Francisco, Cal. 
Winter 1853—’54. 
R. D. Cutts__ 
4133 
c? 
Monterey, Mexico . 
Lieut. Couch_ 
170 
17.00 
35.00 
6884 
Tejon valley, Cal.. 
Lt. R. S Williamson. 
Dr. Heermann ... 
4626 
San Miguel, Cal_ 
__do___ 
4910 
San Diego, Cal __ 
Dr. J. F. Hammond 
16.75 
44.25 
12.75 
6885 
Tejon valley, Cal _ _ 
Dr. Heermann. . _ 
5036 
Dona Ana, N. M... 
Nov. 9,1855_ 
Capt. J. Pope._ 
8701 
s 
Texas _ 
A. Schott __ 
9132 
$ 
Texas___ 
_,,_do __ 
J. H. Cl k. 
15.50 
45.00 
14.00 
8003 
Mexico_ 
Sept., 1856. 
John Gould_ 
John Taylor .... 
Sub-Family BUBONINAE,—The HornedOwls. 
Head large, with erectile and prominent ear tufts. Eyes large ; facial disc not complete 
above the eyes and bill ; legs, feet, and claws usually very strong. 
This division contains numerous species, some of which are very large, hut the greater 
number as medium sized or small. They inhabit all parts of the world, except Australia. 
