TENGMALM'S OWL. 



145 



brown. This species, which is rarely met with as a straggler in the British Isles, is 

 an inhabitant of the forest-regions of Northern Europe and Siberia, ranging in Russia 

 as far as the Urals ; and also occurring as a straggler in Nipal, Southern Europe, 

 and North Africa. Across the Atlantic it reappears in Eastern North America. 

 In habits it is strictly nocturnal, rarely being seen abroad in the daytime, and 

 always dazed and stupid in a strong light. It frequents the densest recesses of 

 the forests, and nests early in hollow trees, laying its eggs, from four to six in 

 number, on the bare wood at the bottom of the hole. 



The Acadian ow], in addition to its smaller size, differs by the nearly uniform 



tengmalm's owl and pigmy owl {\ nat. size). 



colour of its upper surface, by the replacement of the spots on the forehead by 

 stripes, and the presence of only three white bars on the tail. In length it only 

 measures 6^ inches, so that it is smaller than a robin. Both species feed chiefly 

 upon insects. Writing to Dr. Coues of the Acadian owl, a correspondent observes 

 that, " in the hollow of an oak tree, not far from Germantown, lives an individual 

 of the common chickari squirrel with a specimen of this owl as his sole companion. 

 They occupy the same hole together in perfect harmony and mutual goodwill. 

 It is not an accidental temporary association, for the bird and the squirrel have 

 repeatedly been observed to enter the same hole together, as if they had always 

 shared the apartment. But what benefit can either derive from the other ? " 



The clear, hooting cry or laughter-like scream of the common 

 English tawny or wood-owl is probably familiar to most residents in 



Wood-Owls, 



VOL. IV.— 10 



