2\'2 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



American type has been observed in several instances. 

 Unlike the Snowy Owl, its occurrence south of the 45th 

 parallel, is rare and fortuitous. On the Pacific coast, its most 

 southern range is Alaska. In Nova Scotia, it is quite com- 

 mon during certain winters, and is not seen again for 

 several seasons. It is a common breeder, however, in some 

 portions of Newfoundland. In Eastern Maine, it is occasion- 

 ally seen during the breeding-period, but farther west, it is 

 an abundant autumnal and winter visitant. Mr. Allen never 

 met it in Western Massachusetts, although in the eastern por- 

 tions, solitary individuals are often taken during certain 

 seasons, according to Dr. Brewer. Throughout the fur 

 countries, from Hudson Bay westward to the Pacific coast, 

 it is a not uncommon permanent resident. In the district of 

 the Great Slave Lake, it Is a resident, but not an abundant spe- 

 cies ; but about Nulato, Mr. Dall found it the most common 

 species of Owl. In New Brunswick, it is quite plentiful 

 according to Mr. Dresser. Even on the Bermudas Islands 

 it has been found, but probably as an accidental species. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, it is occasionally met during 

 severe winters, being doubtless driven from its more northern 

 habitats, owing to the paucity of food. Specimens have 

 been taken by the writer and others, as early as the middle 

 of October. In the former's collection is a specimen that 

 was shot on the i^th of that month, the thermometer indi- 

 cating a high degree of temperature, at the time. Its 

 appearance so early in the fall when the weather is exceed- 

 ingly mild, in southern latitudes, leads to the supposition 

 that it is either a summer resident in regions not very remote, 

 or else, having attended to the important business of nidifiea- 

 tion and incubation in the higher latitudes, it journeys south- 

 ward, where it meets with a climate which it has recently 

 learned to regard as more congenial than the rigors of an 

 Arctic autumn. There is no reason why these birds should 

 not be found to breed more freclv in the United States than 

 is generally reported. Like many birds on their first en- 



