108 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



reaches the United States in comparatively large numbers. For 

 instance, between January 5 and March 3, 1897, six specimens 

 were captured in one county (Aitkin Co.) in central Minnesota. 

 In the winter of 1890-91 euch a heaA^ flight of this Owl occurred 

 in parts of New England that a single taxidermist in Bangor, 

 Me., received twenty-seven specimens. Another considerable 

 flight took place in the winter of 1842-43, when seven were 

 taken in Massachusetts alone. We sometimes hear or read of 

 an Owl "as big as an eagle" having been killed; such cases 

 should be investigated as they may enable us to remove these 

 brackets. Since the above was written another great flight took 

 place in the winter of 1906-07 (Auk. Vol. XXIV, 1907, p. 215). 



[371. Cryptoglaux tengmalmi richardsoni (Bonap.). Rich- 

 ardson's Owl.] 



Nyctale richardsoni. Nydale tengmalmi richardsoni. Strix tengmalmi. 

 American Sparrow Owl. 



Geog. Dist. — Northern North America from the limits of trees 

 in Alaska down to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In winter irregu- 

 larly to the northern border of United States, rarely to Oregon, 

 Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and 

 New England. 



Since our neighboring states have had calls from this rare 

 northern guest (Iowa; Illinois, October 15, 1884, December 26, 

 1902; Nebraska, December 10, 1892, Lincoln), there is some 

 hope that one of our future observers will find it, if his attention 

 is aroused, for which purpose the species has been entered in 

 this list. The American Sparrow Owl is said to be strictly noc- 

 turnal, carefully hiding during the day, and therefore difficult 

 to find, but it may not be as rare as generally supposed. From 

 the Saw-whet it can be distinguished by its slightly larger size, 

 darker color, spotted instead of streaked head, and brownish 

 barred legs and feet. 



*372. Cryptoglaux acadica (Gmel.). Saw-whet Owl. 



Strix passerina (Wils., 1812). Strix acadica. Ulula acadica. Nyctale 

 acadia (in juvenile plumage albifrons, frontalis, kirtlandi). Acadian 

 Owl. Kirtland's Owl. 



Geog. Dist.— Breeding from about latitude 50° southward to 

 latitude 40°, in the mountains of the West south into Mexico. 

 In winter, in California to Monterey, in the Mississippi Valley 



