RAPTORES. 105 
certain authors, especially the earlier ones. charge the bird 
with destruction to poultry, game, and small birds, such de- 
structive habits are comparatively uncommon, That it 
does occasionally make inroads upon poultry yards, and 
does more or less damage among game birds, is true; 
but the systematic collection and examination of a large 
number of stomachs show the exceptional character of such 
acts and reveal the fact that the larger part of the food 
consists of mammals. And it is to be noted that among the 
list are some of the most destructive rodents the farmer 
has to contend with. If a fair balance is to be struck, there- 
fore, it must be considered that this Owl is on the whole 
beneficial, and hence should occupy a place on the list of 
birds to be protected.” (Fisher.) 
141. (370.): ScoTIAPTEX NEBULOSA (Forst.)._ 156. 
Great Gray Owl. 
Synonyms: Syrnium cinereum, Ulula cinerea, S. lapponicum 
var. cinereum, Strix cinerea. Scotiaptex cinerea. 
Spectral Owl. 
Kirkpatrick, Ohio Farmer, VIII, 1859, 107. 
The records given by Dr. Wheaton remain the only ones 
for the state. They are: Mr. Kirkpatrick, Huntsburg, Ge- 
auga county; and Mr. Charles Dury, Clarke county. It 
must therefore be regarded as a casual visitor. 
142. (372.) NwycTraLa Acapica (Gmel.). 157. 
Saw-whet Owl. 
Synonyms: Nyctale acadica, Strix acadica, Ulula acadica. 
Acadian Owl. 
Audubon, Orn. Biog., II, 1834, 537. 
This little owl, the smallest of the group in Ohio, is al- 
most wholly a winter resident in the state, breeding only 
rarely in the northern counties. It is probably more numer- 
ous than the reports show, for it is the most strictly noctur- 
rial of the owls, and therefore seldom seen. Its small size 
is also a good protection from prying eyes. Like the Barred 
Owl, it has no ear tufts. It seems partial to evergreen 
