BIRDS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS. 133 



It is easily tamed, and may be allowed to go and come 

 at will, without fear of its taking its departure. I have 

 one in my possession that returns to rest in the daytime, 

 either in a building or on the trees near it, where I feed 

 him daily. 



140. Nyctale Acadica, Bon. — Acadian Owl. Rare 

 resident; perhaps less so in winter. In September, 1867, 

 while encamped for the night upon the banks of Popalatic 

 Pond, in Medway, Massachusetts, I heard the peculiar 

 rasping notes of this species. There were several. Evi- 

 dently attracted by the light of our camp-fire, they came 

 directly overhead, alighting on the tall poplar-trees ; but as 

 they remained in the impenetrable gloom that always sur- 

 rounds one who is by a fire, especially in the w r oods in the 

 open air at night, we were unable to secure a specimen. 



141. Nyctale Richards onii, Bon. — Richardson's 

 Oivl. Very rare. Mr. William Brewster has a fine speci- 

 men in his cabinet, taken at Mount Auburn, in December, 

 1865. "A specimen in the Museum of Comparative Zo- 

 ology, Cambridge, taken at Maiden." * 



142. Nyctea nivea, Gray. — Snowy Owl. Not un- 

 common on the coast ; rare in the interior during winter. 

 Sees very well in the daytime ; is shy, and difficult to ap- 

 proach. 



143. Surnia ulula, Bon. — HawTc Owl, Very rare 

 winter visitor. I have seen it but once. 



FALCONLD^E, — The Eagles, Falcons, and Hawks. 



144. Aquila Canadensis, Cass. — Golden Eagle. 

 " Ring-tailed Eagle." Perhaps rarely occurs as a transient 

 visitor. A specimen in the museum of the Peabody Acad- 

 emy of Science, at Salem, labelled " Essex Co." Mr. Allen 



* J. A. Allen, "Proceedings of the Essex Institute," IV. 1864, p. 52. 



