250 



SNOWY' OWL. 

 Nyctea iiyctea. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length from 20 to 24 inches; extent 4% to 5 feet; tail between 

 9 and 10 inches long; tarsi and toes densely covered with long 

 hair-like feathers; black bill almost hidden by long feathers; 

 plumage white, with brownish or blackish spots and bars; 

 throat, face, feet and middle of breast whitest. The female 

 is larger and much darker than male; eyes rather small and 

 yellow; no ear tufts. 



Habitat — Northern portions of the Northern Hemisphere. 

 In North America, breeding mostly north of the United States; 

 in winter migrating south to the Middle States, straggling to 

 South Carolina, Texas and the Bermudas. 



The Snowv Owl rendered so conspicuous by its large 

 size and white plumage is a native O'f the Arctic re 

 gions. This owl is found in Pennsylvania only as a 

 winter visitant. Although specimens are taken nearly 

 every winter, this species is most frequently observed 

 during excessively severe winters. Usually solitary 

 birds are observed, but sometimes parties of six, eight 

 or even a dozen are seen together. 



ITS MANNER OF HUNTING. 



Wilson says: "Unlike most of his tribe he hunts by 

 day as well as by twilight, and is particularly fond of 

 frequenting the shores and banks of shallow rivers, 

 over the surface of which he slowly sails, or sits on 

 a rock a little raised above the water watching for 

 fish. These he seizes with a sudden and instantaneous 

 stroke of the foot, seldom missing his aim." Nuttall 

 writes: "He ventures abroad boldly at all seasons, and 

 like thp hawks, seeks his prey by daylight as well as 

 dark, skimming aloft and rcconnoitering his Ipreyj 

 which is commonlv (lie White (irouse, or some other 



