ORNITHOLOGIST 
—AND— 
OOLOGIST. 


$1.50 per FRANK B. WEBSTER, PuBiISHER. Single Copy 
Annum. Established, March, 1875. 15 Cents. 
VOLE. XI. BOSTON, MASS., DECEMBER, 1886. No. 12. 
Some Ornithological Explorations in 
the Dead River Region of Maine. 
BY F. H. CARPENTER. 
(Concluded from Page 163.) 
77. Asio americanus, (American Long-eared 
Owl). This Owl was quite common in Septem- 
ber, and several were shot by the visiting fisher- 
men at Seven Ponds. These were found roosting 
in the hemlocks around the lakes, and apparently, 
were oblivious of any intrusion until the report of 
the gun sounded their death knell. When trout- 
fishing after sunset I have offen seen Owls, pre- 
sumably of this species, fly over the surface of 
the lakes at no great height from the water. As 
my visits to this region were not made during the 
breeding season of the Raptores of this country, I 
regret I can not give any account of the nesting 
of this species. 
78. Strix nebulosa, (Barred Owl). Common 
about Kingfield, where it often resorts to barns 
during the day time, and has thus earned the 
soubriquet of ‘‘ Barn Owl.” It was also heard 
about New Portland and at various parts of the 
southern part of Somerset county. Mr. Freeborn 
has a pair near Farmington, from which he has 
taken two sets annually for the past four years. 
The nest is in a cavity in a decayed oak stub, 
about fifteen feet from the ground. 
79. Nyctale acadica, (Saw-whet Owl). In late 
autumn this little Owl is quite frequertly ob- 
served by the crews at the logging camps. While 
I have enjoyed considerable acquaintance with 
this species in other portions of Maine, my record 
for this region is very brief but very satisfactory 
when viewed from a collector’s standpoint. On 
the morning of Jan. 7th I went into the grain 
shed of the camp and there saw sitting closely 
together on a joist, three Owls of this species. 
They are now lying side by side in the same 
camphor scented drawer. From that date I made 
it a regular duty to pay a morning visit to the 
grain shed, but save for a little band of Chicka- 
dees it remained tenantless. 

Copyright, 1886, by Eaton Curr and F, B. WEBSTER. 

80. Scops asio, (Screech Owl.) A solitary in- 
dividual of this species, amused himself by his 
tremulous cry near the hostelry at Kingfield. Mr. 
Freeborn has a set of their eggs taken “from a de- 
cayed apple tree in New Vineyard.’ None of 
these birds were seen or heard in the dense ever- 
grcen forests. 
81. Bubo virginianus, (Great Horned Owl.) The 
most common Owl of the forests, where it oc- 
curred commonly at all seasons. Its hootings 
were heard every night in June, while in the 
woods, and several specimens were secured, one 
of which was in exceedingly light plumage, al- 
most savoring of albinism. These Owls would 
come about the camps in search of food, being at- 
tracted by the grouse, fish, etc., which we would 
suspend from some convenient sapling, and many 
a contemplated breakfast was spoiled ere we 
were aware of the nature of our thieving mid- 
night visitors. -Their raids on the poultry were 
of a serious nature, and they were an especial 
object of hatred to the farmers. The nesting of 
this Owl in the Maine forests has several times 
come under my observation. All nests were 
built by the birds and placed at a great height in 
the spruce trees, and near the edge of the forests, 
not in the interior as theorists would suppose. I 
have never found an excess of two eggs in any set. 
(Snowy Owl.) These 
Owls are reported as being frequently seen in 
winter near Kingfield. I nave one instance on 
record ; a specimen taken at Stratton, December 
18, 1884, by N. G. Frink. 
83. salon columbarius, (Pigeon Hawk). A 
specimen of this bird was taken at Kingfield in 
September. Iam of the opinion they breed on 
Mt. Abraham and hope to substantiate the suppo- 
sition by investigations in the proper season. 
82. Nyctea scandiaca, 
84. Pandion hahaetus carolinensis, (Osprey). A 
single individual of this species remained at Tim 
Pond for about three weeks in August, 1885. This 
was the only record of the entire region. 
85. Accipiter fuscus, (Sharp-shinned Hawk). 
Several of this species were seen in the Dead 

