SOMEWHAT widely distributed throughout temperate 

 North America, but nowhere very abundant, is the 

 little Acadian Owl, or Saw-whet Owl, as he is popularly 

 designated. In Eastern Pennsylvania he seems notably scarce, 

 but this may be attributed to his pre-eminently nocturnal 

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

 and only venturing abroad in quest of food at the close of 

 the day, his presence and numbers remain to many a 

 mystery. Hollow trees, and the dark caverns of rocks, are 

 his natural retreats, and as these are to be met with largely 

 in densely-timbered regions and sequestered localities, he is 

 seldom, if ever, seen in close proximity to human habita- 

 tions. He seemingly shuns rather than courts the society 

 of man. When routed from his burrow in the broad glare 

 of day he becomes very much bewildered, and is scarcely 

 able to escape the approach of danger. 



The common appellation of Saw-whet Owl, which is 

 applied to the species, owes its origin to the close resem- 

 blance which the notes of the bird bear to the noise produced 

 by the filing of a saw. These notes are so deceptive, that 

 persons unacquainted with their source have fancied them- 

 selves in the vicinity of a saw-mill, or in near presence to a 

 woodman occupied in whetting a saw. Audubon, hearing 

 these notes in a thicket for the first time, was thus deceived. 

 The same distinguished writer gives, on the authority of Mr. 

 McCullock, an interesting description not only of the notes 

 of this Owl, but also of his remarkable powers of ventril- 

 oquism. On a certain occasion his informant was aroused 



