BIRDS OF PREY 







I 



7'^ * 





(376) Nyctea nyctea 



{Linn.) (Gr.. nocturnal). 



SNOWY OWL; GREAT WHITE 

 OWL. The heaviest and one of 

 the strongest of our owls. No ear 

 tufts. Plumage very variable but 

 always pure white and blackish- 

 brown. The male is the lightest 

 colored and varies from pure, un- 

 marked white to the plumage shown 

 here. The female is larger and 

 ranges from the plumage shown here 

 to specimens so heavily barred tliat 

 the prevailing color is blackish; the 

 face and throat are always pure white, 

 unmarked. L., 25.00; Ex., 5 feet; 

 W., 17.00; T., 9.50; Tar., 2.00. 

 Eggs pure white, 2.25 x 1.75. 



Range — Breeds along the Arctic 

 coast. South in winter to the north- 

 ern border of the U. S. and casually 

 to the Gulf States. 



eat insects, reptiles, fisli, and small birds. The remains of 

 all quarry, the indigestible portions, such as bones, fur, or 

 feathers, is cast up in the form of round pellets several hours 

 after meals. These pellets are ejected by all owls and 

 frequently may be found on the groimd about nesting places. 



GREAT HORNED OWLS are one of our largest and 

 strongest owls, and are practically the only ones residing 

 within the United States that do any great amount of harm. 

 They are very destructive and often kill apparently just for 

 the pleasure of it. Nearly every case of poultry having been 

 taken at night by birds can be charged to this species, 

 although Barred Owls often get the blame, for they are more 

 numerous and consequently more often observed. Horned 

 Owls can see just as well during daylight as at night and on 

 cloudy days are often abroad. 



They are becoming less and less numerous in settled 

 country, as the heavy timber in which they prefer to dwell is 

 being thinned out. Except during the nesting season they are 

 quite solitary in their habits. One of these dwelt in heavy 



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