332 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
influx from the north, and in 1901-02 perhaps the largest invasion of all 
occurred. On this last occasion they appeared in such numbers that they 
ceased to be rare and specimens were often seen for sale in markets along 
with ducks and other birds, the taxidermists in the larger cities being already 
so well supplied with specimens that they would not purchase more. Mr. 
Peter Lepp, of Saginaw, told us that during that winter he had forty-two 
Snowy Owls sent in to be mounted, coming from all over the northern half 
of the Lower Peninsula, though many of them were from the immediate 
vicinity of Saginaw. Mr. W. L. Kress, of Elk Rapids, mounted twenty- 
eight during the winter, and thinks at least fifty were killed in the immediate 
vicinity. He says they almost completely destroyed the quail and 
partridges in that county. Mr. J. H. Fleming, of Toronto, Ont., estimated 
that at least 1,000 were killed in Ontario during this remarkable flight. 
He states that “during March, 1902, the females disappeared and were 
replaced in April by the returning flight of the light-colored birds (apparently 
all males). A few remained about Toronto Marsh all through May and 
a small, light-colored male was taken on June 7. It was in excellent 
condition and showed no signs of being a wounded bird.” 
This owl appears to see perfectly well by day and hunts freely by day- 
light. It is said never to take prey which is not in motion, with the ex- 
ception of fish, which it will pick up wherever found. It flies with remark- 
able swiftness and is able to overtake and capture ducks, grouse, quail 
and other quick flying birds. 
It nests only in the far north, the southernmost breeding record apparently 
being about 53°, in Labrador. Its eggs were found by Fielden, June 20, 
1876, on Grinnell Island, latitude 82° 40’ north, probably the most northern 
nesting record for this species. The nest, if such it can be called, is com- 
monly placed on the ground, usually on some slight elevation, and consists 
of a mere hollow in the ground with a few leaves, grasses, and stray feath- 
ers fora lining. Normally the eggs are from five to seven, but as many 
as ten have beenfound. They are oblong 
oval, never as round as those of the Great 
Horned Owl, roughly granular, and have no 
luster. Usually they are clear white and un- 
spotted, but occasionally they are palecream 
color. They average 2.24 by 1.76 inches. ° 
Arctic travelers state that a few of these 
owls remain all winter within the Arctic 
Circle, but the great majority move south- 
ward at the approach of cold weather, only 
returning in the summer time to nest. 
While with us they feed largely upon game birds, including partridges, 
quail, and ducks, but also on rabbits, rats and mice, and probably also on 
muskrats and squirrels. As noted before, they are very fond of fish and are 
said to be expert at catching them alive. They, however,’ eat dead fish 
washed up on the shore when other food is scarce. : 
Tig. 82. Foot of Snowy Owl. 
(Original.) 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Large; ear-tufts (plumicorns) almost or quite lacking; iris yellow; bill blue-black; four 
or five outer primaries emarginate or sinuate on inner webs near tip; feet densely covered 
with hair-like feathers, hiding the black claws; plumage largely pure white. 
Adult male: Plumage nearly white, sometimes quite so except for a few dark spots 
and bars on head, backfand scapulars; as usually seen the upper parts are freely barred 
with dark brown or slate on a pure white background, while the belly, sides and flanks 
are similarly marked, but the throat and breast pure white, unspotted; wings also freely 
