130 
THE NATUKALIST’S GUIDE. 
pecker^ “ Pigeon Woodpecker,” ^^Yellow-Hammer,” ‘^Wood- 
wall,” “Flicker,” “Sucker,” “High-holder,” “Wake-up.” 
Common resident. Breeds, nesting in holes in trees. Ar- 
rives early, about the 1st of April ; remains until October 
30th. A few remain all winter in the thick cedar woods. 
Frequents open woods and orchards ; in autumn is seen in 
cornfields, at which season it is partly gregarious, but it is 
always a sociable bird, preferring the company of its spe- 
cies to solitude. Generally feeds upon ants or their larvae 
and eggs. 
STBIGID^, — The Owls. 
133. Strix pratincola, Bon. — Barn Owl Mr. Vick- 
ery informs me that he mounted a specimen that was 
taken in Lynn during the autumn of 1865. This is the 
first authentic instance of its capture in this section. Mr. 
Allen also informs me that it has been taken at Spring- 
field. 
134. Otus Wilsonianus, Aud. — Long-eared Owl Ba- 
ther common resident in this section. Breeds. Frequents 
dark swamps and thick evergreen woods. This and the 
following species are almost entirely destitute of sight dur- 
ing the brighter light of day. 
135. Brachyotus Cassinii, Brew. — Short-eared Owl 
Common resident. Breeds. Frequents low bushes along 
the sea-shore in the daytime ; starts up suddenly when ap- 
proached, flies a short distance in a dazed, irregular man- 
ner, and then alights. Also frequents cedar woods. More 
common on the sea-shore than in the interior. 
136. Syrnium cinereum, — Great Gray Owl 
Rare winter visitor. Two specimens in the museum of 
the Peabody Academy of Science, — one taken during the 
winter of 1866-67, by F. W. Putnam, in Salem; another, 
by James Bartlett, in Wenham, in February, 1859. 
