SNOWY OWL, 367 



Owl thrust out the foot next the water, and, with the quickness of lightning, seized 

 it, and drew it out. The Owl then removed to the distance of a few yards, de- 

 voured its prey, and returned to the same hole; or, if it had not perceived any 

 more fish, flew only a few yards over the many pots there, marked one, and 

 alighted at a little distance from it. It then squatted, moved slowly towards the 

 edge, and lay as before watching for an opportunity. Whenever a fish of any 

 size w r as hooked, as I may say, the Owl struck the other foot also into it, and flew 

 off with it to a considerable distance. 



From the foregoing statements it can readily be seen that the 

 economic status of the snowy owl depends on circumstances. It is a 

 voracious feeder, a powerful killer, and is very prolific, raising large 

 broods of hungry young that require a large quantity of animal food. 

 It can be a powerful force for good or evil. Where rodents are 

 plentiful, it can do much good by keeping them in check ; but, where 

 owls are breeding abundantly, they can do a vast amount of damage 

 to game birds, as shown by Mr. Dufresne (1922). 



Behavior. — The flight of the snowy owl is strong, steady, and direct 

 but not rapid, as I have seen it. The long, downward stroke of the 

 large wings is a rather deliberate, long sweep ; but the upward stroke 

 is quick and rather jerky; it often sails on horizontal wings for some 

 distance, especially as it sweeps upward to alight on some eminence. 

 I have found it always very shy ; I have not been able to get nearer to 

 one than 75 or 100 yards; when with us, in winter, it is generally seeD 

 perched in some commanding position, on a prominent rock, the top 

 of a high bank or sand dune, or even on the roof of a building, where 

 I have twice seen it ; it has been known to perch on a tree, but this is 

 a very rare occurrence. In any such position it has a good outlook 

 and is always on the alert, turning its head from side to side, scanning 

 the surroundings with its great yellow eyes, looking for possible prey, 

 or for approaching enemies; before the hunter comes within long 

 gunshot range, it spreads its great wings and gracefully sails away to 

 alight again at a safe distance; to chase such a watchful bird in the 

 open places it frequents is almost hopeless, for unless one can get a 

 shot at it at short range, its heavy plumage and dense under down will 

 resist anything but the heaviest shot. 



Several observers have referred to the shyness of this owl, even in 

 its far northern home, where human enemies are not common. Dr. 

 Nelson (1887) says: "North of Hudson Straits Kumlien found 

 Snowy Owls rather scarce during the winter, and saw them hunting 

 during the day, but notes their excessive shyness. This shyness 

 appears to be characteristic of the bird throughout its northern range, 

 and even upon the lonely and almost unknown Wrangel Island, 

 where, upon our landing, one of these birds was seen, it arose and 

 hastily left for the interior, although we were about 200 yards from 

 it when it first caught sight of us." 



