BIRDS OF PREY OF NOVA SCOTIA—GILPIN. 259 
(O. vulgaris), they may be said, though not rare, still not very 
common, I have Mr. Downs’ authority that the short eared 
nests in Nova Scotia, near Halifax. Probably both do, yet the 
number of both that appear during winter proves migration to 
be the chief cause of their presence with us. Of the barred owl 
(S. nebulosum), my notes give May as the month I identified him 
in the breeding season. I have no doubt he winters with us, 
but my notes have no monthly dates. The hooting of this owl 
comes down on the night wind to you like the loud broken 
laughter of many men. A stranger would easily suppose he was 
near a large logging party. The majestic snow owl (N. nivea) 
I do not think nests with us. He is usually a winter visiter, 
though I saw him once, August, 1854, on Sable Island, with all 
his feathery alpine plumage, sitting upon the hot sand, the 
snowy, thick mufiled claws reposing on sand that heated your 
touch. A few years after the Island had been stocked by 
domestic rabbits, this bird made his appearance, in 1827, and 
ever after paid it an annual visit. I saw him patiently watching 
the burrow mouth, instantaneously to seize its emerging owner 
He is usually our winter visiter, and like other species some- 
times comes in flocks. In the winter of 1876 Mr. Egan, at 
Halifax, had fourteen specimens at one time. The settlers told 
me they sat like pigeons upon their barns, coming out of the 
forest at dusk. There had been no storms or local reasons for 
this migration which extended into New England. The hawk 
owl (S. ulula), is also a winter visiter. He shows himself some- 
times in flocks. Some years ago there were more than a dozen 
brought into Halifax, then not seen for years, and of late return- 
ing singly. Of Tengmalmi’s owl (N. tegmalmi) J have seen but 
few specimens, and believe it very rare. Four are the utmost I 
have seen in Nova Scotia. The saw wet (N. acadic) is common 
and resident, keeping the deepest forests as his abode, frighten- 
ing the Indian at his bivouack, who never will answer him or 
allow any one to in his camp, for fear of impending misfortune. 
Yet he, too, appears sometimes in flocks in the open. During 
the spring of 1879, Mr. Egan had numerous specimens offered 
him. The little red owl (S. asio), so common in New England 
