Obs. This is one of the most abundant of the Owls inhabiting the States on the Atlantic seaboard. It presents two constant varieties of plumage, which have been regarded as distinct species; the mottled or gray described above as the adult, and the red described as younger. These two varieties appear to be very similar to those of the European Syrnium aluco, and to some other species.
The Rev. Dr. Bachman, of Charleston, S. C., has fully established the identity of the two, and we have fully confirmed the accuracy of his observations (in Aud. Orn. Biog., V. p. 392). The young birds, as stated by him, are red when fully feathered, or nearly so; but we have observed that previously they are transversely striped with brown and white, with but little tinge of red, and presenting a general appearance somewhat like the adult mottled bird. They pair and breed in the red plumage, and it is not unusual to find a mottled male and red female associated, or the reverse. According to Dr. Bachman, the perfect plumage is assumed at the age of two years. Intermediate specimens, impossible to be referred absolutely to either of the plumages, are not uncommon.
This bird holds its place throughout the country in spite of the constant destruction of the woodlands; and though universally known and scarcely regarded favorably by our people, is seldom molested. Its food is principally insects.
2. Scops McCallii. Cassin. New species. (July, 1854.) The Western Mottled Owl.
In form and general appearance like the preceding (S. asio), but much smaller; short and robust; wing with the fourth quill longest; tail short, slightly curved inwards; tarsi rather long, fully covered; toes partially covered with long hair-like feathers. Adult. Male.—Much resembling in color the adult of the species immediately preceding, but darker; entire plumage above, ashy-brown, nearly every feather with a longitudinal stripe of brownish-black, and with numerous irregular transverse lines and points of the same; under parts, ashy-white, every feather with a longitudinal stripe of brownish-black, and with well-defined but irregular transverse lines of the same; flanks and sides tinged with pale fulvous; quills brown, with several transverse bands of pale reddish-white, assuming the form of quadrangular spots on the outer webs, and pale reddish ashy on the inner webs; tail, ashy-brown, with about ten narrow transverse bands on all except the two central feathers, well defined on the inner webs; scapular feathers and some of the greater coverts of the wings, edged with white; bill greenish horn-color, light yellowish at the tip; irides, yellow.
Dimensions. Total length, 7½ to 8 inches; wing, 6; tail, 3 inches. Male.
Hab. Texas (Mr. Schott); Northern Mexico (Lieut. Couch). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington city.
Obs. This species very considerably resembles the adult or grey plumage of the Scops asio, but is uniformly much smaller and darker in color. The transverse lines on the under surface of the body are better defined and more numerous. It also somewhat resembles Scops choliba of South America, under which name we suppose the female of the present bird to be alluded to by Mr. Lawrence, in Annals N. Y. Lyceum, VI. p. 4.
This interesting species we have taken the liberty of dedicating to our esteemed friend, Col. McCall, as a slight memento of long-continued and unbroken friendship, and in testimony of our high appreciation of him as a naturalist, who has contributed much of interest and importance, especially to the ornithology of Western America.
III. GENUS OTUS. Cuvier, Regne Animal, I. p. 327. (1817.)
Head moderate, furnished with erectile ear-tufts, varying in size in different species; bill rather short, nearly concealed by projecting bristle-like feathers, curved from the base; facial disc more perfect than in the two preceding genera; wings rather long, with the second and third quills longest; tail moderate; legs long; tarsi and toes densely covered with feathers; claws long, curved, very acute; eyes rather small, and surrounded by radiating feathers; facial disc nearly perfect. Contains about ten species of various parts of the world.
1. Otus Wilsonianus. Lesson, Traité d’Orn., I. p. 110. (1831.) The long-eared Owl. Otus americanus. Bonap., Comp. List., p. 7. (1838.) Strix americana. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 288. (1788)? Bonap., Cons. Av., p. 50. Strix peregrinator. Bartram, Trav., p. 289. (1790)?