216 
Economic Status. What economic influence this bird effects is a 
beneficial one. Data on its food are rather scarce. Of 9 stomachs 
examined, 1 contained a small bird; 7, mice; and 4, other mammals. It 
is evidently an efficient mouser. 
371. Arctic Owl (Including Richardson’s Owl). Cryptoglauxfunerea. L, 10. A small, 
hornless, brown and white Owl. Rich blackish-brown above, with semi-concealed, round, 
white spots; white below, vaguely striped. The colour pattern is soft 
and the design vague and diffused. 
Distinctions. Slightly smaller than the Screech Owl ; and hornless. 
Larger than the Saw-whet, which is the only species with which it is 
likely to be confused. Differs from that species in being a rich, warm, 
blackish-brown, instead of rather reddish, greyish-brown. The light 
facial disk is in sharp contrast with the surrounding dark ring, instead 
of blending softly into it. An Owl of this type, with a wing over 5-5 
inches, will be this species. 
Field Marks. A small, round-headed Owl, larger and richer brown Ri c ha^dson’s Owl • 
in colour than the Saw-whet. gcale ^ " 
Nesting. In holes in trees. 
Distribution. Northern parts of northern hemisphere. In Canada, across the con- 
tinent in the northern coniferous forest, usually coming into southern sections only in winter. 
SUBSPECIES. The American Arctic Owl is separated from the European form 
under the name of Richardson’s Owl Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni. 
This is a very irregular and occasional winter migrant throughout 
most of our cultivated sections. 
Economic Status. Though too rare to have any noticeable economic 
influence it must be regarded as a beneficial species. Of 9 stomachs 
examined, 1 contained a small bird; 7, mice; and 4, other mammals. 
372. Saw- whet Owl (Including Island Saw- whet Owl), acadian owl. Crypto- 
glaux acadica. Excepting the Pygmy, the smallest of our Owls. Above, almost solid 
chocolate-brown. Facial disk on crown and 
sides of head, bordered with many fine, short, 
white fines, extending back over crown (Figure 
238a). Below, white, broadly and softly 
streaked with a slightly paler shade of the back 
colour; or — the same, but the white replaced 
by light rusty buff. A plumage of this Owl, 
rarely seen, was long thought to be a distinct 
species, and was called Kirtland’s Owl, but is 
now demonstrated to be only an evanescent 
juvenile plumage of the Saw- whet. This 
juvenile is solid brown above, redder than the 
adult, the brown extending across breast as a 
rufescent band. Below the breast-band, the abdomen is rusty-oehre, without stripes. The 
facial disks are almost black (Figure 238b), in striking contrast with the white above, 
and between the eyes. 
Figure 238 
Saw-whet Owls; scale, $. 
a, adult. b, juvenile. 
Distinctions. With small size, round, hornless head, and general coloration, likely 
to be confused only with the Arctic Owl. Differs from that species in being of a redder and 
greyer brown, especially the stripes below, and in the facial disk blending into the crown 
with but little contrast (compare with Figure 237). An Owl of this type, with wing 
between 5j and 4 inches, will be this species. 
Field Marks. A small, round-headed Owl, smaller, and of paler and more blended 
colour than the Arctic. 
Nesting. In holes in trees, sometimes natural cavities, at other times those made by 
Woodpeckers or squirrels. 
Distribution. Most of temperate North America. In Canada, in wooded sections, 
probably not north of latitude 60°. 
