130 THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. 



pecker, "Pigeon Woodpecker," "Yellow-Hammer," "Wood- 

 wall," "Flicker," "Sucker," "High-holder," "Wake-up." 

 Common resident. Breeds, nesting in holes in trees. Ar- 

 rives early, about the 1st of April ; remains until October 

 30th. A few remain all winter in the thick cedar woods. 

 Frequents open woods and orchards ; in autumn is seen in 

 cornfields, at which season it is partly gregarious, but it is 

 always a sociable bird, preferring the company of its spe- 

 cies to solitude. Generally feeds upon ants or their larvae 

 and eggs. 



STRIGID^E, — The Owls. 



133. Strix pratincola, Bon. — Bam Owl Mr. Vick- 

 ery informs me that he mounted a specimen that was 

 taken in Lynn daring the autumn of 1865. This is the 

 first authentic instance of its capture in this section. Mr. 

 Allen also informs me that it has been taken at Spring- 

 field. 



134. Otus Wilsonianus, Aud. — Long-eared Owl. Ra- 

 ther common resident in this section. Breeds. Frequents 

 dark swamps and thick evergreen woods. This and the 

 following species are almost entirely destitute of sight dur- 

 ing the brighter light of day. 



135. BrachyotUS Cassinii, Brew. — Short-eared Owl. 

 Common resident. Breeds. Frequents low bushes along 

 the sea-shore in the daytime ; starts up suddenly when ap- 

 proached, flies a short distance in a dazed, irregular man- 

 ner, and then alights. Also frequents cedar woods. More 

 common on the sea-shore than in the interior. 



136. Syrnium cinereum, Aud. — Great Gray Oivl. 

 Rare winter visitor. Two specimens in the museum of 

 the Peabody Academy of Science, — one taken during the 

 winter of 1866-67, by F. W. Putnam, in Salem ; another, 

 by James Bartlett, in Wenham, in February, 1859. 



