132 
Eeonomic Status. The economic effect of this bird as far as it goes is a 
beneficial one. Data on its foods are rather scanty. Of 9 stomachs 
examined, 1 contained a small bird; 7, mice; and 4, other mammals. It is 
evidently an efficient mouser. 
~ 
371. Arctic Saw-whet Owl. RICHARDSON’S OWL. FR.—LA NYCTALE DE RICHARD- 
son. Cryptoglaux funerea. L, 10. A small, hornless, grey owl. Ashy-brown above with 
round white spots, whitish below vaguely striped. The colour pattern is soft and the 
design vague and diffused. 
Distinctions. This species resembles the Screech Owl in size and general grey colour- 
ing, but in nothing else; it has not the horns of that species and the colour pattern shows 
no sharpness anywhere. The colour scheme shows too little distinction from that of the 
Saw-whet to be clearly differentiated here. Its decidedly larger size, however, will char- 
acterize it. 
Field Marks. It is too rare to identify by such slight field marks as could be suggested. 
Nesting. Usually in holes in trees. 
Distribution. The northern woods to the limit of trees from the Mackenzie River 
valley eastwards. 
SUBSPECIES. This is a European as well as an American species, but the form 
inhabiting the New World is subspecifically separated from that of the Old World under 
the name of Richardson’s Owl C. f. richardsoni. 
This species is perhaps the rarest of the Canadian Owls, and within the 
boundaries covered by this work is only an occasional and irregular winter 
visitor. 
Economic Status. Though too rare to have any noticeable economic 
influence it must be regarded as a beneficial species. Of 9 stomachs 
examined, 1 contained a small bird; 7, mice; and 4, other mammals. 
372. Saw-whet Owl. ACADIAN OWL. FR.—LA NYCTALE D’acapDIn. Cryptoglaua 
acadic. L,8. A very small owl. Above, colour is warm ashy-brown vaguely marked with 
inconspicuous white spots especially about the back of the neck, changing on the head to 
fine sharp stripes which join in a line over the facial disk. Below, white, with light brown 
streaks and a vague tendency to form a solid breast-bar. A rare plumage of this owl was 
long thought to indicate a distinct species which was given the name Kirtland’s Owl, 
It is now, however, understood to be but an evanescent juvenile plumage of the above. © 
though the cause of its rarity is not known. Above, it is solid brown, rather redder than 
the adult, and extending across breast in a rufescent band; below, even ochre. The 
facial disk on outside of the eyes is almost black, in striking contrast to the white over 
and between eyes. 
Distinctions. In ordinary plumage so nearly like Richardson’s Owl in colour as to be 
separated from it only by size. Being without horns or any sharply marked colour pattern 
it can be easily distinguished from the Screech Owl. 
Field Marks. Very small size and lack of horns are the best field marks. 
Nesting. In holes in trees, sometimes natural, at other times those made by wood- 
peckers or squirrels. 
Distribution. Most of temperate North America. Its breeding is irregular and 
usually in the northern parts of its range or at high elevations farther south. 
SUBSPECIES. There are two subspecies of the Saw-whet Owl occurring in Canada; 
but only one, the Acadian Owl, the type form, is ever found in the east. 
This diminutive owl is the smallest of the Birds of Prey in eastern 
Canada. It haunts the dark tangle of cedar and tamarack swamps, 
passing the day close against the trunk of a tree where its plumage blends 
indistinguishably into the bark. It has such great reliance in its protective 
coloration that it will allow close approach and can at times be almost taken 
in the hand. It takes its vernacular name from its call notes which are said 
to resemble the sound made by filing or whetting a saw. 
