140 



The Great Horned Owl is the evil genius of the woods. Winding 

 silently in and out through the shadowy foliage, it is master of all except 

 the larger animals. The animosity to the Great Horned Owl shown by 

 Crows must be based upon bitter experience. 



Economic Status. The economic status of this bird depends upon 

 where it lives. In the deep woods away from settlement it is, of course, 

 harmless to man and only the wild creatures it preys upon are affected by 

 it. In settled districts it is to be guarded against in every possible way. 

 Of 110 stomachs examined, 31 contained poultry or game-birds; 8, other 

 birds; 13, mice; 65, other mammals; 1, a scorpion; 1, fish; and 10, insects. 

 The evidence is, therefore, decidedly against this Owl. There is no danger 

 that over-restriction will result in its extermination since it is perfectly 

 able to take care of itself and there are large sections where the species 

 can hold sway over the wilderness without molestation. 



Genus — Nyctea. Snowy Owls. 



376. Snowy Owl. fr. — le habfang. le hibou blanc. Nyctea nyctea. L, 25. 

 A large, white Owl with short, sharp, dark brown barring practically all over and without 

 perceptible ear-tufts. Adult birds which have reached maturity maybe almost immaculate. 



Distinctions. The only Owl that is markedly white, except the Arctic Horned Owl 

 which sometimes approaches it. The lack of horns or ears, however, is diagnostic. 



Field Marks. Nearly white bird without ear-tufts. 



Nesting. On the ground. 



Distribution. Arctic regions of North America, migrating south in winter to the 

 latitude of the Great Lakes, across the continent. 



This is a winter visitor in the settled parts of Canada. It frequents 

 frozen marshes and lake shores and is typically a bird of the open. Usually 

 the birds that come from the north are heavily marked juveniles, but 

 occasionally flights occur in which the very white and almost unspotted 

 adults are in the majority. Probably the juveniles are naturally greater 

 wanderers than the adults which migrate far from their home grounds 

 only when driven out by a scarcity of food or attracted south by a great 

 abundance of rabbits. 



Economic Status. The food of the Snowy Owl consists largely of 

 feathered game. Of 26 cases examined, two stomachs contained game- 

 birds; 9, other birds; and 20, mice, rats, and rabbits. Were it not that 

 this Owl comes down into civilization after most of our birds have left it 

 might do serious damage. In the east it probably does little harm even 

 in winters of its greatest abundance; but in the west, at such times, on the 

 open plains, its preferred habitat, it may exercise a serious influence on 

 the Prairie Chicken and other open country game. 



Genus — Surnia. Hawk Owls. 



377. Hawk Owl. fr. — la chottette eperviere d'amebiqtje. Surnia vlula. 

 L, 15. A medium-sized Owl of somewhat hawk-like build and habits. Above, rich, 

 warm brown variously spotted with white. All underparts and breast, sharply and regu- 

 larly barred with brown and white. A rich seal-brown line bordering the outer sides of 

 the facial disks and meeting at the throat. Facial disk not as perfect as in most Owls. 



Distinctions. The less flattened and less typically owl-like face, long tail, and sharp 

 and regular barring of the underparts are distinctive. 



Field Marks. Diurnal habits, general coloration, and long tail are good field marks. 

 Any Owl seen hunting in the daytime or perched in commanding position in full daylight 

 js probably this species, though the Long and Short-eared both do so occasionally. 



