THE SNOWY OWL. 



77 



THE SNOWY OWL Is one of the handsomest of this group, not so much on account of its 

 dimensions, which are not very considerable, but by reason of the beautiful white mantle with 

 which it is clothed, and the large orange eyeballs that shine with a lustre as of a living 

 topaz set among the snowy plumage. 



This bird is properly a native of North America and Europe. Like the Hawk Owl, it is a 

 day-flying bird, and is a terrible foe to the. smaller mammalia, and to various birds. Mr. 

 V:irrell remarks that "one wounded on the Isle of Balta disgorged a young rabbit whole ; and 

 that one in my possession had in its stomach a young sandpiper with its plumage entire." It 

 is rather remarkable that the bird should have thus been swallowed whole, as I have always 



SNOWY OWL.-Xyctea nivea. 



BEARDED OWL. Syrnium lap/xmicum. 



remarked that when an Owl devours a little bird, he tears it to pieces before eating it, though 

 he always swallows a mouse entire. 



In proportion to its size the Snowy Owl is a mighty hnnter, having been detected in 

 chasing our American hare, and carrying off wounded grouse before the sportsman could secure 

 his prey. According to Yarrell, the Swedish name of Harfang, which has been given to this 

 bird, is derived from its habit of feeding on hares. It is also a good fisherman, posting itself 

 on some convenient spot overhanging the water, and securing its finny prey with a lightning- 

 like grasp of the claw as it passes beneath the white-clad fisher. Sometimes it will sail over 

 the surface of the stream, and snatch the fish as they rise for food, but its general mode 

 of angling is that which has just been mentioned. It is also a great eater of lemmings ; and in 

 the destruction of these quadrupedal pests, does infinite service to the agriculturist and the 

 population in general. 



