92 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 
to dispose of these is to keep a steel trap set on a small plat- 
form erected at the top of a pole located near the poultry house. 
It is evident that where these Owls become too numerous in a 
neighborhood they must be classed as destructive. 
375a. WesTERN Horned Ow  (Bubo virginianus pallescens.) 
This is a variety of the Great Horned Owl said to be 
found in South Dakota. It is described as smaller and paler than 
No. 375. One of the authors in examining many specimens from 
over the State, has been unable to detect any form which was 
more than a variation in plumage of the Great Horned Owl. 
375b. Arctic HorNED Ow. (Bubo virginianus subarcticus.) 
Another variety of the Great Horned Owl, very similar in 
size but lighter in plumage, varying from gray to nearly white, 
mixed with tawny and black. At a distance it resembles the 
Snowy Owl but is easily distinguished by its long ear tufts. As 
the name implies, its habitat is in the Arctic regions, where it 
breeds. Only occasionally during the winter an individual strag- 
gles as far south as our State. 
A specimen was taken by Mr. F. A. Patton, of Artesian, 
in Sanborn County, in January, 1895. 
376. Snowy Ow. (Nyctea nyctea.) 
About the same size as the Great Horned Owl. It breeds 
in the Arctic regions and migrates irregularly to South Dakota 
during the winter. In plumage it varies from pure white to mixed 
white and brownish black. A pure white specimen is rare, the 
common markings being white barred with brownish black, the 
female usually darker. They are without ear tufts and the feet 
are almost completely feathered. Since their food consists 
chiefly of mice and other small rodents, they are of great econ- 
omic value to our agricultural interests. 
The Snowy Owl seems to be more abundant some winters 
than others, and it is believed that an early winter with con- 
tinuous cold is favorable to their southern migration. During 
the severe winter of 1917-18 at least a dozen were taken in the 
State, while during the mild winter of 1918-19 only a single 
specimen was reported. Such a beautiful bird should never be 
killed. 
