U, S. P R. R EXP. AND SURVEYS-ZOOLOGY-GENERAL REPORT 
62 
GLAUCIDIUM GNOMA, Wagler. 
The Pigmy Owl. 
Glaucidium gnoma, Wagler, Isis, XXV, p. 275, (1832.) 
“ Strix passerinoides, Temm ,” Aud. Orn. Biog. V, p. 271. 
“ Strix infuscata, Temm.,” Cassin, B. of Cal. & Texas, I, p. 189. 
Glaucidium Californicum, Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1857, p. 4. 
Figures. —Aud. B. of Am., pi. 432, figs. 4, 5 : octavo edition, 1, pi. 30. 
The smallest owl known to inhabit North America. Wing rather short; fourth quill longest; tail rather long ; tarsi densely 
feathered ; toes partially covered with hairs. Spot before the eye, and extending over it, white. Entire upper parts brownish 
olive, with small circular spots of dull white or pale rufous numerous on the head, and largest on the scapulars. An irregular 
and partially concealed band of white on the neck behind, succeeded by another of black. Throat white ; a band of brownish 
olive across the neck and breast ; other under parts white, with longitudinal stripes of dark olive brown ; quills dark brown, 
with small spots of dull white on their outer webs, and large circular or oval spots of white on their inner webs ; tail dark 
brown, with about six or seven pairs of circular or oval spots of white on every feather ; larger on the inner webs. Under wing 
coverts white, with black spots disposed to form a longitudinal or oblique stripe; bill light greenish yellow ; claws light horn 
color ; irides yellow. Sexes nearly alike ; female with rather larger and more numerous spots of white on the upper parts. 
Dimensions. —Female, total length about 7 inches ; wing 3| ; tail 3 inches. Male, total length about 6| inches ; wing 3| ; 
tail 2| inches. 
Hab. —Oregon, California, Mexico. Spec, in Nat. Mus. Washington, and Acad. Sci. Philadelphia. 
All the specimens of this rare and curious little owl are from Oregon and Washington Terri¬ 
tories, and it does not appear to have been noticed in California by either of the surveying 
parties. It has, however, previously been obtained in that State, and is also very probably an 
inhabitant of Mexico. 
In our synopsis of North American owls, (in Birds of California and Texas, I, p. 175,) 
we have noticed this bird, under the name of Glaucidium infuscatum , regarding it as the Strix 
infuscata, Temminck. At the suggestion of Mr. Philip Lutley Sclater, a distinguished orni¬ 
thologist, of London, who alludes to this species in Proceedings of the Zoological Society of 
London, 1857, p. 4, we find his conclusion quite correct, that the two names Strix infuscata and 
Strix passerinoides were applied by Temminck to the same species, which is South American. 
The name given by Wagler, however, we regard as undoubtedly applicable to this bird, and 
give it accordingly as Glaucidium gnoma , (Wagler,) which had previously cited as a synonyme 
in our synopsis alluded to above. 
This species very much resembles the South American owl, above alluded to. It appears to 
he, however, lighter colored, and, perha}os, rather smaller. In the present bird the spots on the 
upper parts of the plumage are smaller and more inclined to he circular, and a black stripe is 
quite distinct on the under coverts of the wing, which we have found hut very obscurely indi¬ 
cated in either of numerous specimens of G. infuscatum, (or G. passerinoides ,) now before us. 
For the present, we regard the northern and the southern as distinct, hut nearly related, species. 
This little owl appears to be exclusively western and southern. 
List of specimens. 
Catal. No. 
Sex and age. 
Locality. 
When collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Origiaal No. 
Collected by— 
Measurements. 
Remarks. 
Length j 
Extent 
Wing. 
4395 
A 
Dr. Geo. Suckley... 
189 
o 
o 
530 
7 50 
14.00 
3.80 
9IC2 
V 
n 
111 
7.50 
14.00 
V 
feet pale yellow.... 
4515 
8002 
O 
34 
• 
o ° 
