250 



SNOWY OWL. 

 Nyctea nyctea. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length fnim 20 to 2i inches; extent 4V4 to 5 feet; tail between 

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

 hair-like feather.s; 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.— yiovthern 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 8nowy Owl rendered so coDspicuous by its large 

 size and white plumage is a native of 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 (?ven a dozen are seen together. 



ITS MANNER OF HUNTING. 



^ViIsou 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 witJi a sudden and instantaneous 

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

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

 like tlw^ liawUs, seeks his j)rey by daylight as well as 

 dark, skimming aloft and reconnoitering his ;prey4 

 which is ((immonlv llic \\'hil(' (Irouse, or some other 



