BIRDS OF NEW YORK 119 



eared owl in southern New York, but more common than that species 

 in the Adirondacks. A rather decided migratory movement has been 

 noticed by various observers. In western New York I have seen evidence 

 of migration in the fact that this bird is often killed by sportsmen in our 

 woodcock coverts during October and early November, and that it is 

 frequently observed by bird enthusiasts during April and early May. 

 Of 13 Long Island records in Mr Butcher's notes, 11 occur between October 

 23 and December 31, while the majority of all New York specimens were 

 taken in November and December. Mr Bruce reported it as breeding 

 near Brockport, and Mr Helme has taken 2 sets of 5 eggs at Miller's Place, 

 L. I. Ralph and Bagg record 5 sets of 6 and 7 eggs from Oneida and 

 Herkimer counties, the dates ranging from March 25 (1886) to April 30 

 (1889). I have seen specimens in nestling plumage from Fourth lake 

 and Honnedaga, but can find no other records of nesting within the State, 

 although Doctor Ralph considered it a fairly common breeder on the borders 

 of the Adirondack forests. The range of the Saw-whet owl is from British 

 Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec and Nova Scotia south to Arizona, Nebraska, 

 Indiana and Maryland; in winter as far south as Louisiana and casually 

 to Guatemala. 



Habits. The little Saw-whet or Acadian owl is an inhabitant of the 

 forest, preferring a swampy woods, and remains concealed during the day 

 in a hollow tree, a woodpecker's hole or among dense evergreens. During 

 migrations it is often found in dense swampy coverts of alders and tangles 

 of vines. It is very unsuspicious and will frequently permit itself to 

 be stroked with the hand or captured without resistance. During the 

 mating season its curious notes are heard in the wood which has been 

 selected for a nesting site. " The call is a frequently repeated whistle, 

 sometimes uttered in a high and again in a low key, and given in either 

 a slow or a rapid cadence. Generally it is commenced slowly and gradually 

 becomes faster and faster till it ends quite rapidly. This call, which is 

 the only one I have ever heard them give, sounds not unlike the noise made 

 during the operation of filing a saw and it is easily imitated " (Doctor Ralph 



