98 STRIGID^ : OWLS. 



specimen he had ever seen of this species, in Bangor, in 

 1832. And Feb. 26, 1879, Mr. Outram Bangs procured 

 a female example near Newton, Mass." In Rhode 

 Island, the bird appeared near Providence in the winter 

 of 1 88 1, as stated by F. T. Jencks (Bull. Nutt. Club, vi, 

 1 88 1, p. 123). The eggs are described as measuring 

 1.28 X 1.06. 



SAW-WHET OR ACADIAN OWL. 



Nyctala acadica {Gm.) Bp. 



Chars. A small Owl, with the head untufted, the facial discs com- 

 plete, the ears operculate, the tarsus longer than the middle toe, 

 the tail nearly even, the third quill longest, the first five emargin- 

 ate. Less than the last: length, under 8.00; extent, 17.00; 

 ■wing, 5.50 ; tail, 2.67, thus not more than half as long as the 

 wing. Color above chocolate-brown, spotted with white, the 

 tail with transverse white bars ; the aduli with the facial area 

 and forehead variegated with white, the face and superciliary line 

 grayish-white, the lower parts white, with spots or streaks of the 

 color of the back ; the young with the facial area and forehead 

 dark brown, the face dusky, the eyebrows pure white, the lower 

 parts brown, paler on the belly, unmarked. Thus similar to JV. 

 richardsoni in color, but the bill is black, with tumid cere, and 

 the nostrils open interiorly. 



Unlike the three last, this diminutive Owl, the smallest 

 of any to be found in the Eastern States, is a resident 

 inhabitant of our country, and not so uncommon as its 

 infrequent capture or observation might lead one to 

 suppose. Being completely nocturnal, and of such 

 slight personal presence, it is less likely to be seen than 

 are its queer scraping notes, which have been likened 

 to the sharpening of saw teeth with a file, to be heard 



