Snowy Owl

A pair of snowy owls (Bubo scandiacus) is perched on the branches of a dead tree. The top one is a male, while the bottom one is a female. This bird is described as follows by the author:

The snowy owl hunts during the day, as well as in the dusk. Its flight is firm and protracted, although smooth and noiseless. It passes swiftly over its hunting ground, seizes its prey by instantaneously falling on it, and generally devours it on the spot. When the objects of its pursuit are on wing, such as ducks, grouse, or pigeons, it gains upon them by urging its speed, and strikes them somewhat in the manner of the Peregrine Falcon.