The SNOW OWL (_Nyctea nivea_), as the largest of the diurnal species
is called, frequents the same countries as the bird above described,
and, like it, wanders to Southern Europe; but the Polar regions are its
actual home, and there it may be seen living, not only inland, but on the
coast, sitting in large numbers upon the icebergs, or scrambling with
hasty steps over the surface of the ice-covered sea. The distinguishing
features of the Snow Owl are its small head, well-developed ear, and
thickly-plumed feet; the wing, in which the third quill is the longest,
is of moderate size; the tail long and rounded; the beak powerful, and
its hook short; the plumage thick, but not so soft as that of some of its
congeners. The length of this species is from twenty-six to twenty-seven,
and its breadth from fifty-six to sixty inches; the wing measures
twenty-one, and the tail ten inches. The coloration of the plumage varies
considerably, according to the age of the birds; such as are very old
are either entirely white, or have a few small brown spots upon the
forehead and quills; the younger the bird, the more distinct are these
brown markings. The eye is a rich yellow, and the beak greyish black.
During the entire summer the Snow Owl remains in its native land, but
when heavy snow begins to fall, and renders search for food impossible,
it departs to warmer latitudes. According to Radde, the females are
the first to leave, but are very shortly followed by their mates. When
perched these birds look much like other members of their family, but
when in flight exhibit a rapidity of motion and dexterity in steering
their course, far exceeding that possessed by any other species of Owl,
and so remarkably bold are they that, if wounded by a shot, they at once
bear down upon the sportsman who has molested them, for the purpose of
revenging the injury, and will also attack dogs, darting upon them, and
seizing them after the manner of a Falcon. Whilst tarrying in Central
Europe, they subsist principally upon lemmings, and should these prove
scarce, attack squirrels, marmots, and other small quadrupeds: they
pursue Wild Pigeons, Ducks, and Ptarmigans with great ardour, and are
so daring in contesting the latter delicacies with the hunters that,
according to Blakeston, they have been known to snatch the coveted
prize out of the sportsman's bag, whilst it hung suspended at his back.
Audubon had the good fortune to see some of these interesting birds
busied in what we should have imagined an uncongenial occupation for an
Owl, namely, "angling for fish." He tells us that whilst engaged one
morning in shooting Wild Ducks on the banks of the Ohio, he observed a
Snow Owl lying upon the rocky bank, apparently asleep, with its head
turned towards the water: whilst noticing it, a fish rose to the surface,
and, with the rapidity of lightning, was caught in the claws of the wily
bird, who at once made off with its prize to a few yards' distance, and
having devoured it, immediately returned to play the same clever trick
upon other victims. In the winter season this species often seeks its
food during the night, and so much vigilance does it display in these
nocturnal excursions, that no object seen in the air is allowed to pass
without proper investigation as to its edible properties. Holboell
mentions having amused himself one moonlight night by constantly throwing
up his hat to attract the attention of a Snow Owl, and was rewarded by
inducing it to follow the unfamiliar object for nearly a quarter of a
mile. The cry of this bird is harsh, and much resembles that of the Crow.
The breeding season commences in June; the eggs, from seven to ten in
number, are of a dirty white, and are deposited in a hole in the ground
lined with a little dry grass. The young are fledged by the month of
August, and are tended till this period with great affection by both
parents. The female, who is also carefully fed by her mate during the
period of her seclusion, exhibits great affection for her little family,
and should a man approach so near the nest as to excite her suspicion,
will fall to the earth, and lie as though dead or lamed, in the hope of
diverting the stranger's attention from the brood to herself. Attempts to
rear this remarkable Owl have hitherto usually proved unsuccessful.
* * * * *
The STONE OWLS (_Athene_) are small birds, with moderate sized heads,
short round wings, which do not extend beyond two-thirds of the long
straight tail, long legs, powerfully armed toes, and short beaks; the
latter are compressed, and the upper mandible terminates in a hook. The
aperture of the ear is smaller, and the feathers which surround it longer
than in other diurnal species; the plumage is compact, and only partially
covers the legs, the toes being overspread with a hair-like growth.