STRIGID^ — THE OWLS. • 45 



My reasons for considering the JV. alhifrons as the young of iV. acadica 

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



1st. All specimens examined (including Hoy's type of N. 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 upper 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, 



5th. Three out of the four specimens in the collection have the facial 

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

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

 them have new feathers appearing upon the sides of the breast (beneath the 

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

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



The above facts point conclusively to the identity of the Nyctalc " alhi- 

 frons " and J^. acadica. This species is easily distinguishable from the JSf. 

 tcngmahni, which belongs to both continents, though the iSTorth American 

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

 nized as geographical races. 



Since the above was publisheil 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 "alhifrons " and N. acadica : 

 "In 1868, I kept a fine specimen of " Nyctale alhifrons" \\\\i\\ it moulted 

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

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

 stages of moulting." 



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

 erally denominated, appears to have a widespread distribution over temperate 

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

 its nocturnal and secluded habits tend to prevent any intiriiate acquaintance; 

 either with its habits or its numbers in any particular locality. It is rarel}' 

 found in the daytime out of its. hiding-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 



