The Zoologtst — June, 1869; 1689 



Notes on the Zoology of Newfoundland, 



By Henry Reeks, Esq., F.L.S., &c. 



(Continued from Zool. S. S. 1614). 



Letter 2. — Ornithology. 



Mottled Otvl, or American Screech Owl, Scops Asio (Linn.) — A 

 summer migrant to Newfoundland, and tolerably common. As this is 

 one of the commonest owls in North America, it seems strange that 

 Mr. Downs should not meet with it in Nova Scotia, especially as it 

 frequents the States bordering on the Atlantic more than inland. 



American Longeared Owl, Otus Wilsonianus, Lesson. — Not com- 

 mon : I only examined one specimen, which was killed near Cow 

 Head. It appears to be a summer migrant. 



American Shorteared Owl, Brachyotus Cassini, Brewer. — Not 

 common, but I think rather more so than Otus Wilsonianus. It is a 

 summer migrant. 



Barred Owl, Syruiiim nebulosum {Forsier). — Apparently a summer 

 migrant, but not common ; at least I only obtained one specimen, 

 shot at Cow Head in September, 1866. 



Saw-whet Owl, Nyctale acadia {Gmelin.) — Not uncommon, and 

 well known to the settlers as the " saw-whet." I only obtained one 

 specimen, which was picked up dead at Cow Head, and appeared to 

 be uninjured. It is a summer migrant. 



Sparrow Owl, Nyctale Richardsoni, Bonap, — I include this species 

 on the authority of Mr. Downs, who states, in his " Notes on the Land 

 Birds of Nova Scotia," that it is " abundant in Newfoundland ;" but, 

 strange to say, I never met with a single specimen, neither were the 

 settlers acquainted with the species : I have very little doubt, how- 

 ever, that it occurs on the island. It is this species which closely 

 resembles the European Nyctea Tengmalmi, but not having speci- 

 mens I am unable to point out the distinctive characters. 



Snowy Owl, Nyctea nivea (Daitdin). — Tolerably common, and 

 probably remains in Newfoundland throughout the j'ear, although 

 very rarely seen during the summer months, but this may be owing 

 to its following in the wake of its chief prey, the polar hare {Lepus 

 glacialis), and ptarmigan (Za^o/jJts rupestris), which retire to the high 

 land as soon as the snow partially disappears. The " white owl," as 

 the settlers term this species, is a bold, rapacious bird, and not easily 



SECOND SERIIES — VOL. IV. 2 D 



