Description

John Cassin (1813-1869)
Plate 11,Kirtland’s Owl
From: Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America
Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1856
Chromolithograph
Paper dimensions:10.5 x 7″
Framed dimensions: 12.75 x 21″

With text below image:
Kirtland’s Owl, also known as Northern Saw-whet Owl, is named after Jared Potter Kirtland, who was a 19th-century naturalist, botanist, doctor, legislator, teacher and writer. He was also founder of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. This tiny owl has a catlike face, over sized head, and bright yellow eyes. It is a silent and fierce bird of prey, and feeds on mice and other mammals. This owl is highly nocturnal and rarely ever seen. It resides in the forests across northern North America.