The Great Horned Owl retreats before the civilization that destroys the forests in which it lives. In thinly settled regions its deep-toned, monotone, whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, whooo, whooo is still a characteristic bird voice, but most of us hear it only when we camp in the wilderness. The bird's fierce nature has won for it the name of "tiger among birds." Rabbits, skunks, game birds and smaller prey form its fare. The 2-3 white eggs are laid in an abandoned Hawk, Crow, or squirrel nest in February; it is the first of our northern birds to nest.
SNOWY OWL
Nyctea nyctea
A large Owl with no 'ear' tufts and yellow eyes; chiefly white with small brownish or blackish markings. L. 25.
Range. Nests in Arctic regions, migrating southward irregularly in winter to the northern United States.
Washington, casual W.V. Ossining, A.V. Cambridge, rare and irregular W.V. N. Ohio, rare W.V. Glen Ellyn, very rare W.V. SE. Minn., common W.V., Oct.-Apl.
A rare winter visitant which is more often seen along the seashore. Unlike most Owls it hunts by day, feeding chiefly on mice but also on birds.
HAWK OWL
Surnia ulula caparoch
A medium-sized Owl with a whitish face and yellow eyes and a long, rounded tail; the head is spotted, the back barred with whitish; the underparts are barred with white and blackish. L. 15; T. 7¼.
Range. Northern North America, rarely visiting the northern United States in winter.
Cambridge, very rare in late fall. N. Ohio, rare W.V. SE. Minn., uncommon W.V., Oct.-Mch.