182 OWL?. 



under human observation, can be but little known; 

 but the few particulars we have been able to collect, 

 completely justify the above remarks. Thus, that its 

 snowy plumage is essential to its means of existence 

 may be gathered from circumstances relating to a 

 couple that were shot in the severe winter of 1823, in 

 Northumberland. They had, for some days before 

 they were killed, been observed in the wild and rocky 

 parts of an open moor, either perched upon the snow, 

 or on some large solitary stone projecting from it, from 

 whence, without attracting notice by any contrasting 

 colour, they could look out for their prey, and be 

 prepared to sieze it as it incautiously approached. 

 As the smaller species hunt for mice, so does this 

 search for hares and rabbits, on which it pounces ; 

 and in a similar manner, swallows them when pos- 

 sible, whole; a fact ascertained in the case of one 

 shot at and wounded in the island of Balta, which, 

 on being approached, disgorged an entire young 

 rabbit; another when taken, had a Sandpiper, with 

 the whole plumage, in its stomach. As they were 

 often found dead by Captain Sir Edward Parry, who 

 spent so many months in their most frequented 

 neighbourhood, it is concluded that they frequently 

 perish from want of food; indeed, their eagerness to 

 partake of the hunters' fare, and carry off the spoil 

 in his presence, is a proof that they must often be 

 severely pressed by hunger. Sportsmen in the north* 

 assure us that they keep watch on some high tree 

 or lofty rock, and the moment the gun is fired, and 

 the game killed, they descend, and skimming rapidly 

 down, secure the prey before the shooter is able to 

 get near it. 



* Hearne's Travels. 



