AVES— OWL. 465 
ed screams of a person suffocated or throttled, and cannot fail of being 
exceedingly entertaining to a lonely benighted traveller, in the midst of an 
Indian wilderness.” 
This species inhabits the country round Hudson’s Bay ; and according to 
Pennant, (who considers ita mere variety of the eagle owl of Europe.) is 
found in Kamtschatka, extends even to the Arctic regions, where it is found 
white; and occurs as low as Astrachan. It has also been seen white in the 
United States, but this has been owing doubtless to disease. It preys on 
young rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, partridges, and small birds ot various 
kinds. It has been often known to prowl about a farmhouse, and carry off 
chickens from roost. The great horned owl is not migratory, but remains 
with us the whole year. He is very rarely seen abroad by day, and never 
but when disturbed. The nest is generally placed in the fork of a tall tree 
and is constructed of sticks piled in considerable quantity, lined with dry 
-eaves and a few feathers. The female lays four white eggs, nearly as large 
as those of a hen. 
THE SNOWY OWL! 
Is a native of the most northern regions of both continents, passing south- 
ward in the old as far as the latitude of Astracan, and in the new to that of 
1 Strix nyctea, Lin. 
59 
