144 SNOWY OWL— WHITE OWL. 



and handed her, and these she bolts, I may say hterally by the yard. 

 Occasionally I have tried her with cooked meat, but though she 

 eats this, she plainly shows by her manner that she is disappointed. 

 Contrary to the statements made by many writers, she is very fond 

 of water, and drinks it in large quantities. I have seen her empty 

 a pan holding at least three quarts at one time. When she has 

 satisfied herself, if there is any water left, she uses this for washing, 

 employing her bill much in the same manner as a duck, picking 

 out and carefully arranging the upper parts of her plumage. Indeed 

 there is nothing tries her so much as want of water, and when 

 occasionally she has been neglected in this respect for an unusual 

 time, she makes her way to the kitchen and examines tubs, pails, 

 and pans of all descriptions, in which she knows the water is some- 

 times brought to her. Recently this bird has permitted me to 

 stroke her head -feathers, and appears to enjoy the sensation, sitting 

 quietly with her eyes closed. But this quiet is often deceptive, 

 for sometimes, when I least expect it, she makes a sudden and 

 fierce snap at my fingers. For this amiable return I always reward 

 her with a sound cuff, which sends her sprawling on the cellar 

 floor, and having now received several of these reminders, she has 

 become much less treacherous. 



I have been much struck with the likeness of my living bird 

 in general attitude and manners to the Eagle, and her shrill cry is 

 not what one would expect to hear from an Owl. This cry is 

 sometimes a shrill, querulous whistle, and occasionally a loud pierc- 

 ing scream, not unlike that of the Osprey or Bald Eagle. Fresh 

 fish are her delight, and either frozen or thawed she makes short 

 work with them. Audubon graphically describes the piscatorial 

 exploits of the Snowy Owl, and I can readily conceive the eager- 

 ness with which he must pursue this pastime. 



The Snowy Owl preys upon Grouse, Rabbits, Squirrels and 

 small birds, and when he comes within the borders of civilization, 

 often regales himself upon tame jDigeons and poultry. Rats he 

 does not seem to care about — at least iudoinor from the living- 

 bird, which, though constantly surrounded by these vermin in its 



