THE SNOWY OWL. 
43 
it distinctly, tliough at a distance of more than a hundred 
yards. The bird then flew straight off towards Unst. It was 
not so white as an adult. This occurred about noon.” 
In favour of its claim to he ranked among the day owls, T 
have noticed that it is able to see for a long distance, even at 
times when the sun is shining brightly. A flight of golden 
plovers ])assing very high above a Snowy Owl which was 
sitting upon my arm immediately attracted its attention. Too 
much value has evidently been attached to the fact that this 
species is very frequently met with between sunrise and 
sunset, for this is doubtless owing chiefly to the exposed nature 
of the ground which it frequents, and its consequent liability to 
disturbance. When the Snowy Owl appears in the daytime, 
gulls, hooded crows, and even starlings at once join in pur- 
suit ; but until the annoyance becomes absolutely unendurable, 
he usually regards them with contempt, being perhaps con- 
scious of his own powers of wing and claw. The flight of this 
species is strong and rapid, very similar to that of the Eagle 
Owl, and having a sturdiness about it which is not observed 
among the smaller owls. 
Guided by the observations of others, which, like my own, 
had been made only upon starving or severely wounded birds, 
it was my former impression that the Snowy Owl was docile 
and easily tamed. It has even been described as ‘‘ an amiable 
owl.” Experience has taught me otherwise, as will subse- 
quently be shown. Eobert Nicolson, a fisherman belonging to 
Unst, once kept a Snowy Owl for nearly two years. He had 
slightly wounded it wEile wandering among the hills near his 
owm cottage, and he took it home with the hope of taming it ; 
but he only partially succeeded, the bird never overcoming its 
natural fierceness, and showing especial animosity towards 
I strangers. At first it was rather closely confined, but after- 
wards it was allowed the full run of the cottage, though not 
until the wings had been clipped. It used to sit in some dark 
corner during the day, giving but little notice of its presence . 
but as soon as all was quiet at night, it woidd leave its hiding- 
