LAND BIRDS. 313 
shores of Hudson’s Bay northward to the limit of trees, about 68 degrees. 
In Alaska it nests near the sea as early as April, and in the interior as late 
as the middle of June. The nest is placed in trees, and the eggs, two to 
ion are dull white with little luster, unspotted, and average 2.16 by 1.71 
inches. 
Although this bird exceeds the Great Horned Owl in measurements, its 
weight is much less, in fact seldom greater than that of the Barred Owl. 
Its plumage is very soft, fluffy and deep, so that it appears to be a much 
heavier bird than it really is. 
Little seems to be known of its food, but it probably feeds largely on hares, 
Fig. 80. Great Gray Owl. Adult. 
From photograph of museum specimen. (Original.) 
meadow mice and squirrels, together with ptarmigan and smaller birds. 
It is commonly reported to feed mainly at night, but since its habitat les 
in large part within the Arctic Circle, it must do all its hunting during the 
summer by daylight. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Ear-tufts or plumicorns entirely absent; feet and toes heavily feathered to the base 
of the claws; first six primaries emarginate or sinuate on inner webs near tip; iris yellow. 
Adult: Dark grayish brown above, irregularly mottled with grayish-white, and with 
some indistinct cross-bars; under parts mottled grayish white and dusky, with irregular 
dark grayish-brown stripes on breast and belly, and bars of same color on flanks, facial 
disk grayish, with numerous concentric dark rings; bill yellowish or nearly white; claws 
dark. Sexes alike in color, but female largest. ‘ 
Length 25 to 30 inches; wing 16 to 18; tail 11 to 12.50; spread of wings 43 to 5 feet. 
