The bird here described is stated by Mr. Audubon to have been procured near Pictou, Nova Scotia; and he appears to have been confident that it was identical with the European Strix passerina. It is, however, clearly not that species. We would suppose it to be the young of Nyctale Richardsoni, were it not described as having the “iris dark.” It may be a small and curious new species of Syrnium, or perhaps Nyctale, and the procuring of specimens would be in a high degree interesting. We have no knowledge of it ever having been observed since the publication of the above description by Mr. Audubon.
6. Syrnium aluco. (Linn.) Strix aluco. Linn., Syst. Nat. I., p. 132. (1766.) Strix stridula. Linn., Syst. Nat. I., p. 133. (1766.)
Selby, Brit. Orn., pl. 25; Gould, B. of Eur. I., pl. 47.
This well known European species is given by Mr. Nuttall, in his “Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and Canada” (I., p. 135), and is stated by him to have been found in the northern regions of this continent. Such is probably the case; but no American specimen has ever come under our notice.
This species exhibits very nearly the same variety of plumage as the American Red and Mottled Owls (Scope asio and nævia), and has been described repeatedly under different names.
7. Strix peregrinator. The Sharp-winged Owl. Bartram, Travels, p. 285. (1793.)
With the head eared and the body variegated in color.
Impossible to determine from the brief description, though being given as a species inhabiting Pennsylvania, probably applicable to the Long-eared Owl (Otus Wilsonianus).
8. Strix diurnalis. The Short-winged Day Owl. Barton, Fragments of the Nat. Hist. of Penna., p. 9. (1799.)
Stated by Professor Barton to have been observed by him in Pennsylvania on the 15th of December, 1791, but of the species he gives no description.