Migrant Birds of the Commons, Downs 

 M oorland and Mountainous Districts 



SNOWY OWL (Nyctea scandiaca). 



A fairly regular, though not abundant, cold-weather 

 visitor, chiefly to the North. 



Plumage. White, spotted, and barred with blackish 

 or dark brown. Bill black. Legs feathered. Length 

 22 in. Female, larger, and more marked. 



Language. A harsh " krau-krau," several times 

 repeated ; also a loud " rick-rick-rick." 



Habits. Diurnal. Bold and ferocious. Flight power- 

 ful. It pursues and seizes its prey much like a Falcon 



Food. Various mammals up to the size of a hare, and 

 birds up to the size of a grouse ; also fish. 



Nidification. Breeds in circumpolar regions. 



SNOW BUNTING (Plectrophenax nivalis). 



A winter visitor. Much more commonly met with in 

 Scotland, rarer in England. A few individuals remain 

 to breed in the extreme North. 

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