LAND BIRDS. 319 
155. Acadian Owl. Cryptoglaux acadica acadica (Gmel.). (372) 
Synonyms: Saw-whet Owl, Sparrow Owl, White-fronted Owl (young), Kirtland’s 
Owl.—Strix acadica, Gmel., 1788, Aud., and others—Nyctale acadica, Bonap., 1838, 
7 authors generally.—Strix passerina, Penn.—Strix frontalis, Licht.—Nyctale albifrons, 
ass. 
Plate XXVIII, 
Smallest of our owls, the wing less than six inches. This, together with 
the absence of ear-tufts, and the numerous small white spots above and 
brownish stripes below, readily identifies the bird. 
Distribution.—North America at large, breeding from the middle states 
northward, and in mountainous regions of the west southward into Mexico. 
A dainty little owl, doubtless much more common than generally 
supposed, and well distributed over the entire state. Its small size, strictly 
nocturnal habits, and protective coloration make it easy for it to avoid 
detection. During the day time it secretes itself amid the thick foliage 
of trees, evergreens being preferred. At such times it is ridiculously 
tame and may sometimes be captured alive in the hands. It is commonly 
stated to be resident wherever found, and it is certain that in Michigan 
our records are more numerous in winter than in summer. Nevertheless 
a considerable movement of the birds southward in cold weather has been 
noted and there is a decided increase in their numbers in the middle and 
southern states during the winter season. Mr. W. E. Saunders found 24 
dead Acadian Owls among the hundreds of migrants which perished in a 
snow storm on the east shore of Lake Huron, the night of October 10-11, 
1906. Fora full account of this disaster see the Auk, Vol. XXIV, 1907, 
pages 108-110. Part of the account is quoted in the introduction to the 
present volume, pages 26-27. 
The nest is placed always in a hollow tree, and the eggs, in Michigan, 
are probably laid early in April, at least before the first of May, and there 
is no reason to suppose that more than a single brood is reared in a season. 
The eggs vary in number from three to seven, are white and unspotted, 
and average 1.19 by 1 inch. 
The note of this bird is said to resemble that made by filing a saw, yet 
in our own experience we have been unable to detect the resemblance. Dr. 
W. L. Ralph says “‘their call is a frequently repeated whistle, sometimes 
uttered in a high and again in a low key, in either a slow or rapid cadence. 
Generally it is commenced slowly and gradually becomes faster and faster 
until 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.” 
The food consists largely of mice, but it doubtless also eats squirrels, 
chipmunks, and an occasional bird. Of 19 stomachs reported upon by Dr. 
A. K. Fisher, 17 contained mice; 1, a bird (sparrow); and 1, an insect. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Smallest of Michigan owls; very much like Richardson’s Owl, but much smaller; no 
ear-tufts or plumicorns; iris yellow; bill blackish; two or three outer primaries emarginate 
or sinuate on inner webs. ; : ; 
Adult: Upper parts olive-brown or reddish-brown, lined with white on forehead and 
crown, spotted with white on back of neck, scapulars, and sometimes elsewhere; under 
parts white, streaked with reddish brown; tarsi and toes buffy white, without markings; 
