216 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



1.62 inches in length, and 1.30 in width. It was of a yel- 

 lowish-white color. 



Nyctale acadica, Bonap. 



The Little Acadian, or Saw Vs'het Owl as this species 

 is popularly designated, is widely distributed throughout 

 temperate North America. Nowhere abundant, and quite 

 secluded in its habits, an intimate acquaintance with our 

 subject is wanting. Richardson did not meet with it in 

 the fur regions. It has been observed in Oregon, Califor- 

 nia, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey. Nova Scotia, and 

 Wisconsin, by different persons. Dr. Suckley encountered 

 it at the Dalles, north of the Columbia River, in December, 

 where it was supposed to be living in the basaltic cliffs of 

 that locality. In Kansas, it is a rara avis. In Maine, it 

 is a common resident, according to Messrs. Boardman 

 and Verrill. In Eastern Massachusetts, it is an occasional 

 resident, Dr. Brewer having found one of these birds in 

 the rocky cliffs of Nahant, where it had sought shelter ; 

 while farther westward, in the vicinity of Springfield, Mr. 

 Allen found it by no means common. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, this Owl is remarkably scarce. 

 This we think is owing to its pre-eminently nocturnal and 

 secluded habits. Being a denizen of dense pine forests, and 

 only venturing abroad in quest of food at night, but remain- 

 ing concealed in hollow trees and in dark caverns of rocks, 

 during the day, its presence and numbers remain a mystery 

 to many. We think a careful survey of its natural retreats 

 would throw strong light upon the subject. Again, in some 

 parts, individuals of this species are doubtless shot and con- 

 sidered merely as diminutive specimens of Scops asio. We 

 have known such instances of mistaken identity. Unlike 

 the last-mentioned species, this Owl affects a fondness for 

 the deep recesses of densely timbered regions, whose depths 

 are seldom explored by man, or whose echoes are but occa- 

 sionally awakened by the human voice. It has never been 





