254 ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



ing entire animals of considerable size, such as grouse 

 and partridges, young hares and rabbits. Mr. Bullock 

 mentions an instance that came within his knowledge 

 in which a wounded individual disgorged a young rabbit 

 whole. According to Hearne, the female makes her 

 nest upon the ground, and generally lays from three to 

 four eggs, but seldom hatches more than two. The 

 young are unable to fly before September; and the 

 parents never migrate in search of a more temperate 

 climate, but brave the coldest winters, even on the 

 barren grounds, far from any shelter that might be 

 derived from the woods. In such situations they perch 

 on high rocks and stones, watching for their prey, their 

 snowy plumage rendering them almost undistinguish- 

 able. Their voice is so dismal that, as Pennant observes, 

 it adds horror even to a Greenland winter. 



The Society's specimen exhibits somewhat of its 

 natural manners even in its captivity. It never perches 

 itself, like the other Owls, in concealment at the back 

 of its cage, but is constantly seen resting upon the 

 ground, and advanced towards the front, regardless of 

 the open light of day. 



