498 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ZOOLOGY, VOL. IX. 



Snowy Owl. 



in Illinois, "more numerous in the vicinity of the lake. Arrives in 

 November and a few remain as late as the first of May." (Birds N. E. 

 111., 1876.) Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes (Birds of the Chicago Area, 

 1907, p. 107) : " Mr. J. Grafton Parker, Jr., informs me that on Nov. 3, 

 1885, he observed two Snowy Owls perched on the chimney tops of 

 a residence in Grand Boulevard near 35th St." According to Robert 

 Kennicott* in early days it was common in Cook Co., Illinois, in win- 

 ter. He writes, " Common in winter. Last winter during the very 

 cold and stormy weather, I frequently saw them capture prairie hens." 

 In Wisconsin Kumlien and Hollister give it as a "Winter resident of 

 irregular occurrence. Some winters the snowy owl is quite common. 

 * * * * When these owls reach Lake Koshkonong during open 

 water, they persistently hunt along the edge of the rushes for 

 wounded ducks and at times, apparently from choice, as other food 

 is plenty, will catch fish." (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 72.) 



*Catalogue of Animals observed in Cook Co., 111. Trans. 111. State Agri. Soc., 1853-54, 

 p. 581- 



