OWLS 
259 
Owl answers and comes readily to an imitation of its deep “Whoo-who-who” 
challenge at night. Most owls can easily be called up by any one who is 
clever with his voice or whistles. Most of them are solitary by preference 
and impatient at poachers on their preserves. That this is the explanation 
of their coming to call and not sociability is proved by the fact that an 
imitation of the call of a large owl drives all the lesser ones to silent retire- 
mentj whereas the call of the small ones attracts the big ones almost as 
well as does that of their own species. 
Economic Status. The economic status of this bird depends upon 
where it lives. In the deep woods away from settlement it is, of course, 
harmless to man and only the wild creatures it preys upon are affected by 
it. In settled districts it is to be guarded against in every possible way. 
Of 110 stomachs examined, 31 contained poultry or game-birds; 8, other 
birds; 13, mice; 65, other mammals; 1, a scorpion; 1, fish; and 10, insects. 
The evidence is, therefore, decidedly against this owl. There is no danger 
that over-restriction will result in its extermination since it is perfectly 
able to take care of itself and there are large sections of wilderness where 
the species can hold sway without molestation. 
376. Snowy Owl. lb hibou blanc (Le Harfang). Nydea nyctea. L, 25. As large 
as the Great Horned Owl, but without horns, and pure white, usually with many, but some- 
times only a few, sharp, dark bars on all parts of body except face. Occasional birds are 
almost immaculate. 
Distinctions. A large, hornless owl, 
pure white, or white sharply barred with 
dark. Only possible of confusion with 
very white Horned Owls, but the round 
head, the body pattern broad and bold 
instead of fine and vermiculated, are dis- 
tinctive. 
Field Marks. A large, very white 
owl, with round head. 
Nesting. On the ground of the 
tundra. 
Distribution. Northern parts of 
northern hemisphere. In America, across 
the northern barren grounds, southward 
in winter. 
This is a winter visitor in the 
settled parts of Canada. It fre- 
quents frozen marshes and lake 
shores and is essentially a bird of Figure 380 
the open. Usually the birds that Snowy Owl; scale, j. 
come from the north are heavily 
marked juveniles, but occasionally flights occur in which the very white 
and almost unspotted adults are in the majority. Probably the juveniles 
are naturally greater wanderers than the adults, which migrate far from 
their home grounds only when driven out by a scarcity of food. 
Economic Status. The food of the Snowy Owl consists largely of 
feathered game. Of 26 stomachs examined, 2 contained game-birds; 9, 
other birds; and 20, mice, rats, and rabbits. Were it not that this owl 
comes down into civilization after most of our birds have left it might do 
serious damage. 
