SNOWY OWL. 413 
NyorEea scanpiaca (L.) Newton. 
Snowy Owl. 
Strix nyctea, WILSON, Am. Orn, iv., 1-12,53.—AUDUBON, Orn Biog.,1i, 1634, 135 —Nut. 
TALL, Man, i, 1332, 116.—KIRTLAND, Ohio Geolog. Surv, 1338, 161, 179.—ReEaD, Fam. 
Visitor, iii, 13853, 295; Proc. Phila. Acad. Nat. Sci. vi., 1353, 595. 
Surnia nyctea, AUDUBON, B. Am.,, i, 1340, 113. 
Nyctea nivea, KiRKPATRICK, Ohio Farmer, viii, 1859, 51; Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1358, 1359, 
3382 —BREWER, N.A. Oology, Smith. Contrib., xi, 1359, 30.—WH#aTon, Ohio Agric. 
Rep. for 1360, 1861, 361; Reprint, 3; Food of Birds, ete , Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1374, 
1-75, 570; Reprint, 10.—LaNa@pon, Cat Birds of Cin. 1377, 12. 
Nyctea scandvaca, var. arctica, BAIRD, BRuweR and Ripeway, N. A. Birds, iii, 1874, 71 — 
LANGDON, Revised List, Journ. Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., i, 1379,179; Reprint, 13. 
White Owl, K1rRTLAND, Am. Journ. Sci. and Arts, xiii, 1s02, 213; Ohio Farmer, ix, 1860, 
oF: 
Strix scandiaca, LINNZUS, Syst. Nat., i, 1766, 132. 
Strix arctica, BAXTRAM, Tray. Fla, 1791 29. 
Stric nyctea, LINNZUS, Syst, Nat., i, 1766, 132. 
Surnia nyctea, SELBY, Ill. Br. Orn., i, 1833, 95. 
Nyctea nivea, Gray, Gen. of Birds, i, 1844, 34. 
Nyctea scandiaca, NEWTON, 4th Ed. Yarr. Br. Birds, pt. iii, 1372, 137. 
Pure white with more or fewer blackish markings. Length nearly 2 feet; wing, 17 
inches ; tail, 10. Z 
Habitat, northern pertion of Northern Hemisphere, ranging irregularly southward in 
winter. In North America, resident from the Canadas and probably from Maine, 
northward. Regularly enters the Northern States ia winter, frequently wandering to 
the Middle States, casually to the Southern States, even to Texas. Kansas. Kentucky 
and South Carolina. Bermuda, 
Common winter visitor ia Northern Ohio, more rare and irregular in 
Middle and Southern Ohio. 
This large northern Owl, commonly called the White Owl, is described 
by Mr. Kirkpatrick as often quite abundant on the southern shore of Lake 
Hrie, both in mild andsevere winters. In this vicinity, and further south, 
they have never appeared in considerable numbers, and are quite irregu- 
lar. It is quite likely that the more uniform and equally mild climate 
of the Lake basin affords them a comfortable winter residence, and 
that the birds going further south are in search of information and ad- 
venture rather than driven by climate or want of food. 
In the Eastern States it seems tobe rather more abundant and regular 
than in the interior, often visiting the larger New England cities in 
great numbers. 
This Owl frequently flies by day. It feeds upon rabbits and partridges, 
and is said to be an expert fisher. 
