HAWKS AND OWLS 235 



us occasionally in winter. It is a rare bird and 

 is growing scarcer. It is twenty-seven inches 

 long. The upper parts are dark brown mottled 

 with white; the under parts white, streaked on 

 the breast and belly with brown. 



Snow^'- Owl. The Snowy Owl is a northern 

 dweller, nesting from Labrador northward, and 

 coming to the United States only in winter, 

 when the food supply there is lessened by the 

 cold and deep snows. During some winters the 

 flight is numerous; at other times there are only 

 stragglers. This Owl is a daylight hunter, and 

 his habits are not unlike those of some Hawks. 

 From a commanding perch he will swoop down 

 upon a ground-dwelling creature, luckless rab- 

 bit, squirrel or weasel that chances under his 

 gleaming eyes; or boldly he will launch out to 

 overhaul Grouse, Pigeon, or other bird. Their 

 prowess as hunters of hares has given them in 

 Sweden the name Harfang or Harecatcher. 



During these winter invasions they are even 

 more plentiful on the seashore than inland, for 

 they are skillful fishermen. Swooping down from 

 a perch that overhangs the water, this fisher, 

 like the Osprey, grips the fish in his strong claws, 

 then eats it at leisure on some near-by stub. 



The Snowy Owl is more than two feet long. 

 Like all dwellers of the far North, the prevailing 

 tone is white. There are bars of brown larger 

 and more numerous on the female and young. 

 Their feet and legs are covered with thick, warm 

 feathers, excellent protection against extreme 

 cold. 



