158 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



. Nuttall tells us they usually prey on young rabbits, squirrels, rats, 

 mice, quails and small birds of various kinds ; and when these resources 

 fail or diminish, they occasionally prowl pretty boldly around the farm- 

 yard in quest of chickens, which they seize on the roost. 



My own records of sixteen examinations of Great Horned Owls, which, 

 with one exception, were all taken during the winter months, revealed 

 in eleven individuals only remains of poultry ; two others, portions of 

 rabbits, and of the three remaining birds of this series it was found that 

 one had taken two mice ; another showed small amount of hair, appar- 

 ently that of an opossum. The sixteenth and last bird contained a 

 mouse and parts of beetles. 



GENUS NYCTEA STEPHENS. 

 Nyctea nyctea (LiNN.). 



Snowy Owl. 



DESCRIPTION {Plate 88). 



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 largest 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 mid- 

 dle states, straggling to South Carolina, Texas and the Bermudas. 



The Snowy Owl rendered so conspicuous by its large size and white 

 plumage is a native of the Arctic regions. This owl is found in Penn- 

 sylvania 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. 



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 the hawks, seeks his prey by daylight as well as dark, skimming 

 aloft and reconnoitring his prey, which is commonly the White Grouse, 

 or some other birds of the same genus, as well as hares. On these he 

 darts from above, and rapidly seizes them in his resistless talons. At 

 times he watches for fish, and condescends also to prey upon rats, mice 

 and even carrion." 



