STBIGID^: OTHEH OWLS. 



613 



and hawk owls. The nest is said to be built in a tree ; the eggs are variously stated to be from 

 2 to 6 in number; size 1.25 X 1-05. 

 483. N. aca'dica, (Lat. acacUca, of Acadia.) AoADiAN OwL. Saw-whet Owl. Adult: 

 Upper parts, including wings and tail, very similar to those of the last species, but the ground 

 usually a ruddier brown, the spotting less extensive, the uiarlis on the top of the head pencilhid 

 in delicate shaft-lines instead of round spots, those of the wings and tail exactly as in A. rkh- 

 ardsoni. Under parts white, diffusely streaked or dappled with a peculiar light brown, almost 

 pinkish-brown. Feet immaculate whitish, tinged with buff. Facial disc mostly white, hut 

 blackened immediately about the eye and on the loral bristles, aud pencilled with dusky on 

 the auriculars ; set in a frame of the color of the back, touched with white points behind the 



Fig. 359. — Upper, Tengmalm's European Saw-whet Owl, very near No. 482. Lower European Sparrow Owl, 

 resembling No. 481. Both ^ nat. size. (From Brehm.) 



ear ; this frame distinct on the throat where it separates the white of the disc from a white 

 jugular collar, before the pectoral streaks begin. Bill black; claws dark; eyes yellow. Young 

 quite different (JV". albifrons) : Above, ruddy chocolate-brown, without any spots ; wings and 

 tail more fuscous brown, marked substantially as in the adults. Below, the color of the 

 back extending over all the fore parts, the rest being brownish-yellow ; no streaks whatever. 

 Facial disc sooty-brown, with whitish eye-brow, and some white touches on the rim behind 

 the ear curving forward to tlie cliin. Bill black, as before. Length 7.50-8.00 ; extent 17.00- 

 18.00; wing 5.25-5.75; tail 2.60-2.90; tarsus 0.75 ; bill without cere 0.50; middle toe with- 

 out claw 0.60. This curious little owl, the most diminutive species found in Eastern N Am., 

 inhabits the U. S. from Atlantic to Pacific, and goes somewhat further North into British 

 America, and also S. into Mexico. Though apparently common and generally distributed, it is 



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