SCOPS FLAMMEOLA.
F I A M U L A T E D OWL.
SCOPS FLAMMEOLA. L ight, In Mus. Berol., Nomencl. p. 7.—Kaup. Trans. ZooL Soc., Vol. IV., p. 226.—So l. et S a lv . Ex. Ornith.
Part VII., pi. L.
More properly belonging to the southern portions of this continent, as Mexico, Guatemala, etc., this species has however been obtained
at Fort Crook in California, by the late Capt. F e iln e r , U. S. A., and this specimen was deposited in the collection of the Smithsonian
Institution.
It is one of the most diminutive of our American Owls, not much larger indeed than the Micrathene WMtneyi, but is very differently
marked, and the toes are entirely denuded of feathers.
No accounts of its habits have been obtained. I am indebted to the secretaries of the Smithsonian Institution for the loan of the
specimens represented in the accompanying plate.
The species may be described as follows: Entire upper parts dark brown, the feathers mottled with ashy white and rufous. Front,
line over the eye, narrow band at occiput, and one parallel on upper part of back greyisli-white. Outer web of scapulars rufous, forming
a very conspicuous line above the wing. Wing brown, with six white spots on outer web of primaries; secondaries spotted with buff on
their inner webs. Tail dark-brown, mottled with btiff. Two white rows on the wings, formed by spots on outer webs of the feathers.
A rufous brown ring around the eye. Throat light brown. Entire under parts white, with longitudinal black stripes, bordered with reddish
on some feathers, and crossed with black and dark-brown On others, presenting a confused and mottled appearance. Bill dark brown,
horn-color at tip. Feet dusky.
The figure is life-size.