BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 275 



the farmer : but, like many other birds, they have reason to 

 complain that man is slow to discover, and still slower to 

 acknowledge his obligation. 



The Barred Owl, Strix nebiilosa, is found in this and all 

 the other states of the Union, and though it inhabits the north- 

 ern regions^ abounds most in the southern parts of our country. 

 Their food is various, consisting of rabbits, grouse, squirrels, 

 rats and mice, and, beside what they obtain in the field and 

 forest, they levy large contributions on the domestic poultry. 

 They are not destitute of sight by day, but they move doubt- 

 fully, as if uncertain of the character of the objects near them ; 

 in the night they are quick and active, and if domesticated for 

 the purpose, are said to make excellent mousers. So delicate 

 is their plumage and so noiseless their motion, that we are told 

 by Audubon, he was aware that one was flying directly over 

 his head, only by its shadow cast by the moonlight on the 

 ground ; though it was only a few yards distant and flying 

 fast, he could not hear the least rustling of its wings. Their 

 cry is loud and discordant, resembling a forced burst of laugh- 

 ter, and makes a strange contrast with the solitude and silence 

 of the night. 



The barred owl is often offered for sale in the New Orleans 

 market, and by some is considered palatable food. Audubon 

 says that the snowy owl is good eating, but they are so cat- 

 like in their habits, that before they could meet with much 

 favor on the table, a considerable amount of prejudice must be 

 overcome. 



The Acadian or Little Owl, Strix acadica, is found in 

 Massachusetts, but lives so retired by day, that it is not gener- 

 ally known. It is a beautiful and animated bird, with a note 

 singularly discordant, resembling the filing of a saw. Audu- 

 bon, one day, walking near his saw-mill, heard this sound pro- 

 ceeding from it, and finding the door locked, went to the mil- 

 ler's house to ascertain who was engaged in filing the saw. 

 There he ascertained that the little owl which had a nest hard 

 by, was the author of these unmusical sounds. This bird is 





