M IC EA TH EN E WH ITN EY I .
WHITNEY'S PISMY OWL.
ATHENE'WHITNEYI. Cooper. Prbc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1861), p. 118.
MICRATHENE WHITNEYI. Ooues. Proc. Acad. Nat; Scien. |fiii. (1866), p. 51.
This extraordinary little Owl was obtained by Dr. J. G: Cooper at Port Mojave, on the Colorado river, 35° N, on the 26th April, 1861,
and this specimen; th e one from which my drawing was made, is at the present time, I believe, the only one in any collection.
Among the smallest of the known species of owls, more diminutive even than the Glaueidium Gnoma, this bird yet resembles in its
size and style of markings the Athene Brodei of Burton from Asia, much more indeed than any species of owl as yet discovered in North
America. It differs from the G. Gnoma, by having a smaller and more feeble bill, longer wings, and a shorter tail. The tarsi are not
feathered, while the claws are small and weak.
The naked tarsi would seem to indicate that this' owl, like the species of the genus Athene; was tcrrestial in its habits, although,
on the other hand, the lengthened middle toe, which with its claw is as long as the tarsus, would naturally lead us to suppose that it was
more at home among the trees.
Qoues, as quoted above, has formed a new genus for this bird;' and although it resembles Athene in the naked tarsus, yet it has so
many points of difference, it is probably more correct to classify it in a genus by itself. Nothing I believe is known of its habits, but
it certainly is the most interesting of the many additions lately made to our Avi-fauna.
I am indebted to Prof. Whitney, of the Academy of Natural Sciences of San Francisco, whoso name this species bears, for the loan
of the type to be figured for this work.
Front, light rufous, entire upper parts dark brown, with numerous small spots of light rufous brown. Outer web of scapulars
white. Primaries dark brown, the outer webs having spots of rufous, some o f Which are white near the edge. Tail dark brown,
both webs barred with rufous, the bars not reaching the shaft. Feathers of the disk, light rufous. Throat and upper part of breast
white mottled with light rufous. Rest o f under parts white, the centre of the feathers light brown. The entire plumage beneath presents
a confused mottling of white and light brown, the white predominating upon the abdomen and lower tail-coverts. Tarsi and
toes covered with yellowish hair-like feathers. Bill black, horn-color at tip. Figures are life-size. The tree is the Iron wood, Car-
pinus Astrya.