SPECIES 5. STRIX PASSERINE. 



LITTLE OWL. 

 [Plate XXXIV. Fig. 1.] 



Jirct. ZooL 236, No. 126. TURTON, Syst. 172. PEALE'S Museum, 



No. 522.* 



THIS is one of the least of its whole genus, but like many 

 other little folks, makes up in neatness of general form and ap- 

 pearance, for deficiency of size, and is perhaps the most shape- 

 ly of all our Owls. Nor are the colours and markings of its plu- 

 mage inferior in simplicity and effect to most others. It also 

 possesses an eye fully equal in spirit and brilliancy to the best 

 of them. 



This species is a general and constant inhabitant of the mid- 

 dle and northern states; but is found most numerous in the 

 neighbourhood of the seashore, and among woods and swamps 

 of pine trees. It rarely rambles much during day; but if dis- 

 turbed, flies a short way, and again takes shelter from the 

 light; at the approach of twilight it is all life and activity; being 

 a noted and dexterous mouse-catcher. It is found as far north 

 as Nova Scotia, and even Hudson's Bay; is frequent in Russia; 

 builds its nest generally in pines, half way up the tree, and lays 

 two eggs, which, like those of the rest of its genus, are white. 

 The melancholy and gloomy umbrage of those solitary ever- 

 greens forms its favourite haunts; where it sits dosing and slum- 

 bering all day, lulled by the roar of the neighbouring ocean. 



* We add the following 1 synonymes: Slrix passtrina, LINX. Syst. ed. 10, vol. 

 i, p. 93. GMEL. Syst. T, p. 296, No. 12. Strix acadiensis, LATH. Ind. Om. 

 p. 65. S. ucadica, GMEL. Syst. i, p. 296, No. 43. TEJIM. Man. d'Orn. i, p. 

 92. 



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