ACADIAN OWL. 137 



The length of this species is from 15 to 16 inches. The head is 

 large and flattened behind. Above, spotted with large touches of deep 

 brown; on the scapulars are some large spots of white. Primaries 

 and tail banded alternately with blackish and greyish rufous. The 

 feet feathered to the toes. Occasionally varying to a pure white, 

 peppered over with numerous triangular little spots ; also round the 

 eyes white, with a black zone ; the down of the legs likewise white, 

 with black points. This appears to be nearly an albino. 



ACADIAN OWL. 



(Strix acadica, Gm. Little Owl, S. passerina, Wilsox, iv. p. 66. pi. 34. 

 fig. 1. Philad. Museum, No. 522.) 



Sp. Charact. — Dark greyish brown spotted with white; beneath 

 white, spotted with chesnut brown ; tail short, not exceeding the 

 tips of the wings, with 3 narrow bands of white spots ; bill black- 

 ish : a small species. — Female, with the tints deeper, and with the 

 white spots shaded with yellowish. 



This very small species is believed to be an inhabitant 

 of the northern regions of both continents, from which in 

 Europe it seldom wanders, being even very rare in the 

 north of Germany. In the United States it is not un- 

 common as far to the south as Pennsylvania and New Jer- 

 sey, where it is resident, having apparently a predilection 

 for the sea-coast, living and nesting in the Pine trees, or 

 in the clefts of rocks, and laying 2 white eggs as usual. 

 It is generally nocturnal ; and if accidentally abroad by 

 day, it flies quickly to some shelter from the light. It is 

 very solitary in its habits, living wholly in the evergreen 

 forests, and coming out only towards night, or early in 

 the morning, in search of mice, beetles, moths, and grass- 

 hoppers. 



The note of this species is as yet unknown, it is not 

 probably silent, any more than the Strix passerina, or Lit- 

 12* 



