OWLS 



263 



some large hollow stub is occupied. Two to four, usually 

 three, pure white eggs are laid. A set taken March 11, 1894, 

 measure 2.08 x 1.79, 2.17 x 1.79. 



Genus NYCTEA Stephens. 



376. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.). Snowy Owl. 

 Plumage of adult male : I once saw one absolutely immaculate white, and 

 specimens which are white with only a few dusky patches are more often 

 seen, though rare ; normally the white is more or less broken up by bars of 

 dark grayish brown or fuscous both above and below. Plumage of adult 

 female and immature birds : barred with heavier, darker bars which are 

 often very numerous and at any rate always stronger and more numerous 

 than in males approaching the adult stage. Wing 17.00 to 19.00. 



Geog. Dist. — Arctic regions, breeding on the American side north of the 

 United States ; in winter found south to the Middle States and straggling 

 even to South Carolina, California, Texas and Bermuda. 



County Records. — Androscoggin ; rare winter visitor, (Johnson). Aroos- 

 took; winter visitor, (Knight). Cumberland; rare, (Mead); one in 1898 

 and one in 1901, (Lord). Franklin ; rare winter visitor, (Swain). Hancock; 

 usually rare winter visitor, (Knight). Kennebec; very rare, (Powers). 

 Knox; winter, (Rackliff). Oxford; very rare, (Nash). Penobscot; gener- 

 ally rare in winter, occasionally brought to the taxidermists in considerable 

 numbers, (Knight). Piscataquis; rare winter visitor, (Homer). Sagadahoc; 

 irregularly common winter visitor, (Spinney). Somerset; rare winter vis- 

 itor, (Knight). Waldo ; rare winter visitor, occasionally seen from the 

 county in the local taxidermists, (Knight). Washington ; uncertain, some 

 winters common, (Boardman). York; (Adams). 



In the winter of 1901-1902 there seemed to be a rather 

 unusual flight of these birds, they were reported all over the 

 State as well as in other states to the westward. It seems very 

 likely judging from collected records that fully 125 birds were 

 sent to the various taxidermists of the State between early 

 November and March. In 1905-6 they were again generally 

 reported and it seems likely that fully 200 were killed in Maine 

 and in like proportion in other states adjoining. 



I have heard of Snowy Owls being taken here as early as 

 October 15 but November and December and the early part 

 of January are the periods of their most frequent occurrence, 



