Scientific American, Volume 56, No. 9, February 26, 1887Various
Science
Scientific American, Volume 56, No. 9, February 26, 1887
Various
Science -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals
These two species form about all the attraction to be found to any
extent in the fields, and, aside from an occasional hawk, only one more
species frequents them, a species that is worth going miles to see--the
snowy owl.
These birds reach us about the last of November and remain until the
last of February, frequenting the neighborhood of some body of water,
and seldom straying from it more than a mile or two. To see them and
become at all acquainted with their habits, one must face all kinds
of weather, possess untiring energy, and must undergo a considerable
amount of fatigue. He will find them in the open country (as they
frequent such ground altogether, seldom, if ever, entering the woods),
perched on some fence post or stump, where, if undisturbed, they will
remain for a considerable length of time, intently watching for mice,
of which their food largely consists, set off by an occasional rabbit.
They are extremely rare. One may tramp the fields for several days
without success, and then again find one the first hour out.
On December 20, 1886, the writer started on a trip to Oneida Lake, N.
Y., intending to devote his attention entirely to these birds; was gone
four days, and saw five birds. This, of course, was exceptional, but
shows what may happen.
In the dense pine and hemlock swamps several other species of owls are
found, which are much more numerous at this season than in the summer.
These are the long eared and short eared owls, with an occasional
barred owl; but the most interesting of all is the Acadian or saw-whet,
one of the smallest of the family and little known. It is far from
common, being met with only at intervals. Its note, which closely
resembles the filing of a large saw, occasionally betrays it; while at
the same time it has a tendency to stray into barns and out-buildings,
thus affording an opportunity for capture.
As it is not generally known, a description may be of some benefit.
"Upper parts, including wings and tail, uniform chocolate-brown,
spotted with white; under parts white, thickly streaked lengthwise with
the color of the back; face, white."
In general appearance, they are the same as all owls, but when seen in
the woods have a somewhat comical appearance, owing to their wise look
for so small a bird.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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