ACADIAN OWL. 
137 
The length of this species is from 15 to 16 inches. The head is 
large and flattened behind. Above, spotted with large touches of deep 
brown; on the scapulars are some large spots of white. Primaries 
and tail banded alternately with blackish and greyish rufous. The 
feet feathered to the toes. Occasionally varying to a pure white, 
peppered over with numerous triangular little spots ; also round the 
eyes white, with a black zone ; the down of the legs likewise white, 
with black points. This appears to be nearly an albino. 
ACADIAN OWL. 
(Strix acadica, Gm. Little Owl, S. passerina , Wilson, iv. p. 66. pi. 34. 
fig. 1. Philad. Museum, No. 522.) 
Sp. Charact. — Dark greyish brown spotted with white; beneath 
white, spotted with chesnut brown ; tail short, not exceeding the 
tips of the wings, with 3 narrow bands of white spots ; bill black- 
ish : a small species. — Female , with the tints deeper, and with the 
white spots shaded with yellowish. 
This very small species is believed to be an inhabitant 
of the northern regions of both continents, from which in 
Europe it seldom wanders, being even very rare in the 
north of Germany. In the United States it is not un- 
common as far to the south as Pennsylvania and New Jer- 
sey, where it is resident, having apparently a predilection 
for the sea-coast, living and nesting in the Pine trees, or 
in the clefts of rocks, and laying 2 white eggs as usual. 
It is generally nocturnal; and if accidentally abroad by 
day, it flies quickly to some shelter from the light. It is 
very solitary in its habits, living wholly in the evergreen 
forests, and coming out only towards night, or early in 
the morning, in search of mice, beetles, moths, and grass- 
hoppers. 
The note of this species is as yet unknown, it is not 
probably silent, any more than the Strix passerina , or Lit- 
12 * 
