118 BIRDS OP PENNSYLVANIA. 



My own records of sixteen examinations of Great Horned Owls, 

 which, with one exception, were all taken during the winter months, 

 revealed in eleven individuals only remains of poultry ; two others, 

 portions of rabbits, and of the three remaining birds of this series it 

 was found that one had taken two mice ; another showed small amount 

 of hair, apparently that of an opoSsum. The sixteenth and last bird 

 contained a mouse and parts of beetles. 



GENUS NYCTEA. STEPHENS. 

 376. Nyctea nyctea (LINN.). 



Snowy Owl. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Bill nearly concealed by projecting plumes; eyes large; entire plumage white, 

 frequently with a few spots or imperfect bands, only on the upper parts dark-brown, 

 and on the under parts with a few irregular and imperfect bars of the same ; quills 

 and tail with a few spots or traces of bands of the same dark-brown ; the prevalence 

 of the dark-brown color varies much in different specimens ; frequently both upper 

 and under parts are very distinctly banded transversely, and sometimes this color 

 predominates on the back ; plumage of the legs and toes pure snowy-white ; bill 

 and claws horn-color ; irides yellow. 



Length about 23 inches ; extent of wings about 4| feet. 



Hob. Northern portions of the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, breed- 

 ing mostly north of the United States; in winter migrating south to the Middle 

 States, straggling to South Carolina, Texas and the Bermudas. 



The Snowy Owl rendered so conspicuous by its large size and white 

 plumage is a native chiefly of the Arctic regions. This Owl is found 

 in Pennsylvania only as a winter visitant. Although specimens are 

 taken nearly every winter, this species is most frequently observed 

 during excessively severe winters. 



Wilson says : " Unlike most of his tribe he hunts by day as well 

 as by twilight, and is particularly fond of frequenting the shores and 

 banks of shallow rivers, over the surface of which he slowly sails, or 

 sits on a rock a little raised above the water watching for fish. These 

 he seizes with a sudden and instantaneous stroke of the foot, seldom 

 missing his aim." Nuttall writes : u He ventures abroad boldly at 

 all seasons, and like the Hawks, seeks his prey by daylight as well 

 as dark, skimming aloft and reconnoitring his prey, which is com- 

 monly the White Grouse, or some other birds of the same genus, as 

 well as hares. On these he darts from above, and rapidly seizes them 

 in his resistless talons. At times he watches for fish, and condescends 

 also to prey upon rats, mice and even carrion." 



