Occurrence of the Saw-Whet Owl in Oakland
Occurrence of the Saw-whet Owl in Oakland
A specimen of the Saw-whet Owl (Cryptoglaux acadica) came into possession of the Oakland Public Museum on November 8. 1934. It was throwh the alertness of Miss Perdue of the Emerson School of North Oakland that the bird was secured. On that date Miss Perdue, attracted by a commotion outside the school, investigated and found that a boy had knocked the little owl from the branches of an acacia tree, injuring it. Taken inside it immediately became an important object; but because of the evident seriousness of the wound the writer was summoned from the Museum to take charge of the unfortunate owl and either aid its recovery or insure its preservation. At first the bird was able to demonstrate some temper and resistance to handling, but it was rapidly growing weaker and in spite of efforts to save it died that same night. As a mounted specimen, however, another and useful career awaits it.
Paul Covel
Oakland Public Museum, Oakland, California, November 26, 1934
