STRIGID^E — THE OWLS. 45 



My reasons for considering the xV. nibifrons as the young of N. acadica 

 are the following (see American Naturalist, May, 1872) : — 



1st. All specimens examined (including Hoy's type of JV. kirtlandi) are 

 young birds, as is unmistakably apparent from the texture of their plumage. 



2d. All specimens examined of the N. acadica are adults. I have seen 

 no description of the young. 



3d. The geographical distribution, the size and proportions, the pattern 

 of coloration (except that of the head and body, which in all Owls is more 

 or less different in the young and adult stages), and the shades of colors on 

 the general ujiper plumage, are the same in both. The white " scalloping " 

 on the outer web of the alula, the number of white spots on the primaries, 

 and the precise number and position of the white bars on the tail, are 

 features common to the two. 



4th. The most extreme example of alhifrons has the facial circle uniform 

 brown, like the neck, has no spots on the forehead, and the face is entirely 

 uniform dark brown ; but, 



6th. Three out of the four specimens in the collection have tlie facial 

 circle composed of white and brown streaks (adult feathers), precisely as in 

 acadica, and the forehead similarly streaked (witii adult feathers). Two of 

 them have new feathers ajipearing ui)on the sides of the breast (beneath the 

 brown patch), as well as upon the face ; these new feathers are, in the most 

 minute respects, Uke the common (adult) dress of N. acadica. 



The above facts point conclusively to the identity of the Nyctale " cdhi- 

 frons " and JY. acadica. This species is easily distinguishable from the If. 

 tengmalvii, which belongs to both continents, though the North American 

 and European specimens are readily separable, and therefore should be recog- 

 nized as geographical races. 



Since the above was published in the American Naturalist for May, 1872, 

 Dr. J. W. Velie, of Chicago, writing under date of November 20, 1872, 

 furnishes the following proof of the identity of N " albifrons " and A'', acadica : 

 "Inl8G8, I kept a fine specimen of " Nyctak albifrons" \\i\t\\ it moulted 

 and became a fine specimen of Nyctale acadica. I had, until the fire, all the 

 notes about tliis interesting little species, and photographs in the different 

 stages of moulting." 



Habits. The Little Acadian or Saw-Whet Owl, as this bird is more gen- 

 erally denominated, appears to have a widespread distribution over temperate 

 North America. It is not known to be anywhere very abundant, though 

 its nocturnal and secluded habits tend to prevent any intimate acquaintance 

 either with its habits or its numbers in any particular locality. It is rarely 

 found in tlie daytime out of its hiditig-places. It was not met with by 

 Richardson in the fur regions, yet it is generally supposed to be a somewhat 

 northern species, occurring only in winter south of Pennsylvania, but for 

 this impression there does not seem to be any assignable reason or any con- 

 firmatory evidence. It has been said to breed near Cleveland, Ohio, and its 



