332 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



influx from the north, and in 1901-02 perhaps the largest invasion of all 

 occurred. On this last occasion they appeared in such numbers that they 

 ceased to be rare and specimens were often seen for sale in markets along 

 with ducks and other birds, the taxidermists in the larger cities being already 

 so well supplied with specimens that they would not purchase more. Mr. 

 Peter Lepp, of Saginaw, told us that during that winter he had forty-two 

 Snowy Owls sent in to be mounted, coming from all over the northern half 

 of the Lower Peninsula, though many of them were from the immediate 

 vicinity of Saginaw. Mr. W. L. Kress, of Elk Rapids, mounted twenty- 

 eight during the winter, and thinks at least fifty were killed in the immediate 

 vicinity. He says they almost completely destroyed the quail and 

 partridges in that county. Mr. J. H. Fleming, of Toronto, Ont., estimated 

 that at least 1,000 were killed in Ontario during this remarkable flight. 

 He states that "during March, 1902, the females disappeared and were 

 replaced in April by the returning flight of the light-colored birds (apparently 

 all males). A few remained about Toronto Marsh all through May and 

 a small, light-colored male was taken on June 7. It was in excellent 

 condition and showed no signs of being a wounded bird." 



This owl appears to see perfectly well by day and hunts freely by day- 

 light. It is said never to take prey which is not in motion, with the ex- 

 ception of fish, which it will pick up wherever found. It flies with remark- 

 able swiftness and is able to overtake and capture ducks, grouse, quail 

 and other quick flying birds. 



It nests only in the far north, the southernmost breeding record apparently 

 being about 53°, in Labrador. Its eggs were found by Fielden, June 20, 

 1876, on Grinnell Island, latitude 82° 40' north, probably the most northern 

 nesting record for this species. The nest, if such it can, be called, is com- 

 monly placed on the ground, usuall}^ on some slight elevation, and consists 

 of a mere hollow in the ground with a few leaves, grasses, and stray feath- 

 ers for a lining. Normally the eggs are from five to seven, but as many 

 as ten have been found. They are oblong 

 oval, never as round as those of the Great 

 Horned Owl, roughly granular, and have no 

 luster. Usually they are clear white and un- 

 spotted, but occasionally they are pale cream 

 color. They average 2.24 by 1.76 inches. 



Arctic travelers state that a few of these 

 owls remain all winter within the Arctic 

 Circle, but the great maiority move south- t,- o„ x. . ^ o 



1 , ,, ° 1 p 1 1 .1 1 Fig. 82. Foot of Snowy Owl. 



ward at the approach of cold weather, only (Original.) 



returning in the summer time to nest. 



While with us they feed largely upon game birds, including partridges, 

 quail, and ducks, but also on rabbits, rats and mice, and probably also on 

 muskrats and squirrels. As noted before, they are very fond of fish and are 

 said to be expert at catching them alive. They, however.^eat dead fish 

 washed up on the shore when other food is scarce. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Large; ear-tufts (plumicorns) almost or quite lacking; iris yellow; bill blue-black; four 

 or five outer primaries emarginate or sinuate on inner webs near tip; feet densely covered 

 with hair-like feathers, hiding the black claws; plumage largely piu-e white. 



Adult male: Plumage nearly white, sometimes quite so except for a few dark spots 

 and bars on head, back and scapulars; as usually seen the upper parts are freely barred 

 with dark brown or slate on a pure white background, while the belly, sides and flanks 

 are similarly marked, but the throat and breast pure white, unspotted; wings also freely 



