LITTLE OWL. 67 



and appearance, for deficiency of size, and is, perhaps, the most 

 shapely of all our owls. Nor are the colours and markings 

 of its plumage inferior in simplicity and effect to most others. 

 It also possesses an eye fully equal in spirit and brilliancy to 

 the best of them. 



This species is a general and constant inhabitant of the 

 middle and northern states ; but is found most numerous in 

 the neighbourhood of the sea-shore, and among woods and 

 swamps of pine trees. It rarely rambles much during day ; 

 but, if disturbed, flies a short way, and again takes shelter 

 from the light: at the approach of twilight it is all life and 

 activity, being a noted and dexterous mouse catcher. It is 

 found as far north as Nova Scotia, and even Hudson's Bay ; 

 is frequent in Russia ; builds its nest generally in pines, half 

 way up the tree, and lays two eggs, which, like those of the 



have given it as above, that of acadica. It is a native of both continents, 

 but does not yet appear to have reached the British shores. According 

 to Teniminck, it is found in the deep German forests, though rarely, but 

 is plentiful in Livonia. Bonaparte hints at the probability of the St 

 passerina being yet discovered in America, which seems very likely, con- 

 sidering the similarity of its European haunts. The last Overland Arctic 

 Expedition met with this and another allied species, St Tengmalmi, 

 which will rank as an addition to the ornithology of that continent. Dr 

 Richardson has the following observations regarding the latter: "When 

 it accidentally wanders abroad in the day, it is so much dazzled by the 

 light of the sun as to become stupid, and it may be easily caught by the 

 hand. Its cry in the night is a single melancholy note, repeated at in- 

 tervals of a minute or two, and it is one of the superstitious practices of 

 the natives to whistle when they hear it. If the bird is silent when thus 

 challenged, the speedy death of the inquirer is thus augured ; hence its 

 Cree appellation of Death Bird. 



On the banks of the Sascatchewan it is so common, that its voice is 

 heard almost every night by the traveller, wherever he selects his 

 bivouac. 



Both the latter species extend over the north of Europe, and are found 

 occasionally in Britain. The specimens which I have seen in confine- 

 ment seem to sleep or dose away the morning and forenoon, but are 

 remarkably active when roused, and move about with great agility. Both 

 are often exposed for sale, with other birds, in the Dutch and Belgian 

 markets.— Ed. 



