24 



THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 



Photo by G. A. Eldredge 



agree in writing of the 

 Snowy Owl's actions, say- 

 ing that it hunts by day 

 and has a very swift flight, 

 being able to overtake 

 grouse and even wild 

 ducks, which together 

 with rabbits afford its 

 principal diet. 



In the Northern States, 

 some authors recognize 

 the Snowy Owl as a 

 yearly visitor where it 

 appears irregularly in 

 small numbers. However 

 this far South we regard 

 i t s appearance as an 

 invasion or migration, 

 and we herald it as un- 

 usual. 

 Not since 1905-06 have we seen it. In 1918, after twelve long 

 years, we again know it has been here largely because of a few 

 mounted specimens, some very fine pictures and the records of a few 

 faithful students. I hope our "Snowy Friend" will come again and 

 that when next he comes that he may be greeted with the training 

 of field glasses on his wonderful plumage and not with belching 

 pump guns which destroy his greatest beauty — life. 



T. E. Musselman, Quincy. 



A Snowy Owl in Captivity 



A Snowy Owl came into the possession of the writer, November 

 30, 1917. It had been slightly wounded and captured, about twelve 

 miles south of Urbana, Illinois. The opportunity for securing photo- 

 graphs and learning something of its characteristics seemed unusual 

 enough to warrant the trouble required in caring for it for a short 

 time. The bird has proven to be so unexpectedly gentle in disposition, 

 and easily cared for, that, after four months of ownership and com- 

 panionship, the idea of converting it into a museum specimen is enter- 

 tained with great reluctance. Kidneys from the butcher shop constitute 

 the favorite food and if a sufficient amount for a meal is given in shape 

 so that it can be bolted whole, it is disposed of in that way ; otherwise 

 it is torn to pieces in the ordinary fashion. A hunger strike greets 

 every effort to substitute liver for the accustomed ration. An English 

 Sparrow was disdained, but mice are bolted whole without any attempt 

 at orientation, regardless of the way in which they happen to be seized. 



The gentleness of the bird can be judged from the photograph, and, 

 aside from a fresh piece of kidney nothing seems to please it more than 

 posing for a camera. The first photographs were made outdoors on a 

 bright, cold December day, soon after its capture, but subsequent to the 

 recovery from its injury. They show the strong contrast between the 



