470 THE SAW-WHET OWL. 
General Range.—North America at large, breeding from the Middle States 
northward, and in mountainous regions of the West southward into Mexico, 
Range in Washington.—Imperfectly made out—at least not common resi- 
dent east and west of the Cascades. (Specimen by Dr. Meyer of Portland taken 
Point Defiance, Wn.—A. W. Anthony in epist., Jan. 20, 07.) 
Authorities.—N yetale acadica, Gmelin, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 
1858, p. 58. C&S. L'. Rh. Ra. 
Specimens.—!"'. Prov. 
BEING strictly nocturnal in its habits, it is not surprising that compara- 
tively little is known even yet of this woodland recluse, altho it enjoys a wide 
distribution and is probably not uncommon. Several specimens have been re- 
corded locally, and there is little doubt that the bird breeds in suitable localities 
thruout the State, yet its eggs have never been taken in Washington. 
Theoretically, the abundant Flicker holes which abound in the moss- 
covered oaks of the Pierce County prairies should afford ideal nesting sites for 
Saw-whets, as well as appropriate retreats by day. Elsewhere, in default of 
such conveniences, the birds conceal themselves during the hours of daylight 
in dense thickets, or evergreen saplings. Dr. Ralph, of Utica, finds that 
under such circumstances they are not at all suspiciots, and he has even 
stroked them with his hand as they were nodding sleepily in bush or tree. 
The notes of the Saw-whet Owl have been compared to the “filing of a 
cross-cut saw”; and if this be a fair comparison, one would rather be excused 
from hearing them during certain of the “wee sma’ hours.” The principal 
note I have heard, however, is a rasping, querulous sa-a-a-a-ay, repeated by 
old and young with precisely the same accent, and inaudible at any distance 
above a hundred feet. Once, in Ohio, I came across a family party. Uncer- 
tain in the first instance, since the hour was late dusk, whether the dark sil- 
houettes before me had “horns” or not, I tried the Screech Owl ery, and was 
greeted with a perfect chorus of say's from the youngsters, while the parents 
whined in a mystified way and flew back and forth near my head snapping 
their mandibles fiercely. Upon another occasion I succeeded in arousing one 
old bird and five owlets at an unusually early hour, viz., about twenty minutes 
after sunset. The smaller song birds were still astir and scolded vigorously 
at the appearance of these grim night watchmen; but the Owls gave no heed 
to their clamor, and were only intent upon discovering the whereabouts of 
their Cousin Screech Owl, who had summoned them. <A parent bird was 
the first to discover the deception and she bent forward peering earnestly at 
me, and uttering a low mellow cook of comprehension, twice, after which the 
party withdrew. 
