RICHARDSON’S OWL. 
SPARROW OWL. 
NyCTALA TENGMALMI RICHARDSON!. 
Char. Above, dark brown spotted with white ; beneath, white streaked 
with brown ; legs and feet bufty, sometimes spotted. Similar to the Saw- 
whet, but with more white on head and neck. Length 9 to 12 inches. 
Nest. In a tree ; of grass .and leaves. 
Eggs. 2-4; white; 1.3 5 X i-iS- 
This is a small and nocturnal species, and so much so that 
when it accidentally w'anders abroad by day it is so much daz- 
zled by the light as to be rendered unable to make its escape 
when surjirised, and may then be readily caught by the hand. 
Its nocturnal cry consists of a single melancholy note repeated 
at the long interv'als of a minute or two ; and it is one of the 
superstitious practices of the Indians to whistle when they hear 
it ; and if the bird remains silent after this interrogatory chal- 
lenge, the speedy death of the inquirer is augured ; and hence 
among the Crees it has acquired the omnious appellation of 
the Bird of Death ( Cheepomesees) . According to M. Hutch- 
ins, it builds a nest of grass half w'ay up a pine-tree, and lays 
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