375e. Dwarf Horned Owl. 



Bubo virginianus elachistus. 



Range. — Lower California. 



This is a similar but darker form of the 

 Horned Owl and is very much smaller than 

 virgin hi II us. The nesting habits will be the 

 same, but the eggs may average smaller. 



BIRDS OF PREY 



"W^hite 



Snowy Owl 



376. Snowy Owl. Nyctea nyctea. 



Range. — Arctic regions, breeding within the Arctic Circle and wintering to 

 the northern border of the United States and casually farther. 



This very beautiful species varies in plumage from pure white, unmarked, to 

 specimens heavily and broadly barred with blackish brown. It is, next to the 

 Great Gray Owl, the largest species found in America, being 2 feet in length. 

 Like the Great Horned Owls, they are very strong, fearless, and rapacious birds, 

 feeding upon hares, squirrels and smaller mammals, as well as Grouse, Ptar- 

 migan, etc. They nest upon the ground, on banks or mossy hummocks on the 

 dry portions of marshes, laying from two to eight eggs, white in color and with 

 a smoother shell than those of the Great Horned Owl. Size 2.25 x 1.75. Data. — 

 Point Barrow, Alaska, June 16, 1898. Three eggs laid in a hollow in the moss. 



[377-] European Hawk Owl. Surnia ulula ulula. 



Range. — Northern portion of the Old World; accidental in Alaska. 

 Similar to the American species, but lighter and more brownish. 



'A:V! 



