32 
POPULAR HISTORY OF BIRDS. 
These people take advantage of the snowy owFs propensity 
to alight on elevated spots^ and set up pieces of wood in the 
plains or marshes^ with a trap fastened to the top. 
Dr. Edmondston was the first naturalist who found this 
bird in the Shetland Islands; he observes that whatever 
may be its diurnal habits in North America, it does net prey 
by day in Shetland. It is there viewed as a bird of ill-omen, 
and as it is by no means shy, it owes its protection in great 
measure to the superstitious fear with which it is regarded. 
In Europe it makes its nest among steep rocks or on old fir- 
trees, while in the northern parts of America, according to 
Sir John Eichardson, it nestles on the ground. 
