262 THE BURROWING OWL. 
fstands, where it builds and rears its young. Like the Hawk Owl, it isaday- 
ea bird, and is a terrible foe to the smaller mammalia and to various 
irds. 
In proportion to its size the Snowy Owl is a mighty hunter, having been 
detected in chasing the American hare, and carrying of wounded grouse 
before the sportsman can secure his prey. According to Yarrell, the 
Swedish name of Harfang, which has been given to this bird, is derived 
from its habit of feeding on hares. It is also a good fisherman, posting 
itself on some convenient spot overhanging the water, and securing its finny 
prey with a lightning-like grasp of the claw. Sometimes it will sail over the 
surface of the stream, and snatch the fish as they rise for food, but its general 
mode of angling is that which has just been mentioned. It is also a great 
eater of lemmings ; and in the destruction of these quadrupedal pests does 
infinite service to the agriculturist and the population in general. 
COQUIMBO, OR BURROWING OWL.—(A¢hene cunicularia.) 
The colour of an old snowy Owl is pure white without any markings what- 
ever ; but in the earlier years of its life its plumage is covered with numerous 
dark brown spots and bars caused by a dark tip to each feather. Upon the 
breast and abdomen these markings form short abrupt curves, but on the 
back and upper surface they are nearly straight. The beak and claws are 
black. The length of the male Snowy Owl is about twenty-two inches, and 
that of the female twenty-six or twenty-seven. 
The quaint, long-legged little Owl which is represented in the accompany- 
ing illustration is a native of many parts of America, where it inhabits the 
same locality with the prairie dog. The description of that curious marmot 
and its peculiar burrow may be found on pages 157, 158. 
The grairie dogs and Burrowing Owls live together very harmoniously ; 
