Saga of Errant Arctic Owls in Nebraska

A young owl only months old arrived at the Omaha riverfront and set off a
distinctive response of attention and care.

Snowy Owl at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, November 16th. Picture courtesy of Al Reyer.

The sojourn of this bird — born and raised in the northern wilds — brought it southward to along the Missouri River where it was observed by a someone interested in birds who was participating in a dog show.

A note was quickly posted online, with an immediate response on Friday, November 16th. Other birders soon arrived at the scene, with federal government employees appreciating their closer look through a birder's spotting scope at the obvious owl perched indifferently on the east side of the CenturyLink Center Omaha.

It was said to be a first-year female, according to birder's comments. Details were particular to the extent that the owl was seen regurgitating a pellet. This was interpreted as an indication it was doing okay, since it had been finding suitable prey.

The haps and mishaps of this bird were enough to provide details sufficient for local media to report, as personally indicated Saturday evening.

There were no other observations during the weekend, though the white owl was obviously still present on the north side of downtown.

Media reports started with the a.m. Monday newspaper, which gave the requisite details of the Friday occurrence, with a courtesy photograph.

Reporting continued, especially once this owl was put under a box in the parking lot at the hotel across the street to the west of the building where it was first sighted. This happened Monday, after the owl had been seen trying to traverse the perils of downtown — including urban streets and hurried traffic — within the downtown of the city.

What followed was a unique mix of events that caught the attention of many Omaha residents, through local media. Print articles appeared again, both on Tuesday and Wednesday. Two television stations provided reportage.

By midweek, the occurrence of this owl, and another which was injured elsewhere in Nebraska after being hit by a garbage truck, were also reported by a Lincoln newspaper.

The east Omaha owl was especially renowned, because of being seen in a populated urban setting, and then going through a quick transition from a wild existence to receiving interior care associated with efforts to ensure its survival. The bird had a weight of less than two pounds — compared to a 4-5 pound norm — when taken into intensive care, said Denise Lewis of the Omaha urban area, the education coordinator for Raptor Recovery Nebraska. She suitably took responsibility for the errant owl, providing essential liquid nutrients and a safe shelter to bring it back from the brink.

It was certainly a preferable alternative. Rather than having died at some unknown outdoor place, it had a hope for survival since it arrived because of its own unknown inclinations, where many things happened that were so beneficial for this particular Snowy Owl.

Media attention moderated with the arrival of the Thanksgiving holiday, and a greater focus on shopping.

The Omaha owl enjoyed on Thursday, its own unique meal. It was given bite-sized bits of rabbit leg. The meat — carefully cut into pieces of suitable size by care-giver Lewis — was provided during mid-afternoon. My personal effort of feeding with tweezers, was a vastly preferable alternative to watching something like football on television. The special owl sat placidly, and though squinty-eyed, did not hesitate in gulping down each morsel as presented one at a time. Its previous whole food had been pinky mice, and then others of the same sort, though larger.

Snowy Owl at facilities of Raptor Recovery Nebraska.

With a unique expression and presence, this owl of the Arctic wilds has taken on a special cognition. From a personal perspective, this owl is known by the name of Oma, though other moniker's bantered about included QT and Snowball.

Later on the so-called holiday, this feathered wonder was taken southward, to get additional care at the raptor-care headquarters, further south in Nebraska.
On the 24th, both snowy owl patients were doing better, said Betsy Finch, director of the raptor recovery group. "They are eating well, which is a good sign.

"I am cautiously optimistic for both owls," Finch said. Each has been assigned a number, since rehabilitation birds are not named.

With both snowy owls present, Finch said they are males, based upon a side-by-side comparison, and their notably smaller size.

"We are committed to give both owls the best care so they can be returned to the wild," Finch said.

As their condition would improve, they would be placed into a flight cage so as to regain the strength necessary for normal flight. There would then be an eventual release back into the wild, which would probably occur hundreds of miles northward.

"We appreciate people's concern" for raptors needing assistance, Finch said. "Don't assume it looks just fine, but call an expert" if there is some uncertainty.

"Everyone did the right thing," with these owls, she added.

The saga for these mysterious owls — especially the one associated with Omaha — is worthy of a book: Arctic owl flees northerly conditions to end up within a city-scape where a bird enthusiast reports its presence for many others to enjoy, and then due to its weak condition gets rescued — with the situation broadly reported — and then receives special care to help it survive so it may return to its native land in the great north tundra.

Indian Legend of the White Owl

It was in the country of the Winnebagoes, and there was a great scarcity of game. An Indian hunter, while returning from an unsuccessful expedition, at the sunset hour, chanced to discover in the top of a tree a large white owl. He knew that the flesh of this bird was not palatable to the taste, but as he thought of his wife and children, who had been without food for several days, he concluded to bend his bow and kill the bird. Hardly had he come to this conclusion, before he was astonished to hear the owl speaking to him in the following strain: "You are a very foolish hunter. You know it is against the laws of your nation to kill any of my tribe, and why should you do wrong because you happen to be a little hungry? I know that your wife, and children are also hungry, but that is not a good reason for depriving me of life. I too have a wife and several children, and their home is in the hollow of an old tree. When I left there a little while ago, they were quite as hungry as you are, and I am now trying to obtain for their enjoyment a red squirrel or a young opossum. Unlike you, I have to hunt for my game only at night, and if you will go away and not injure me, I may have in my power to do you a kindness at some future time."

The Indian hunter was convinced, and he unbent his bow. He returned to his wigwam, and after he had told his wife what had happened to him, she told him she was not sorry for she had been particularly fortunate in gathering berries. And then the Indian and his family were contented, and game soon afterwards became abundant in the land.

Many seasons had passed away, and the powerful nation of the Iroquois were making war upon the Winnebagoes. The hunter already mentioned had become a successful warrior and chief. He was a mark for his enemies, and the bravest among them started upon the war-path for the express purpose of effecting his destruction. They hunted him as they would the panther, but he always avoided their arrows. Many days of fatigue had he now endured, and, believing that his enemies had given up he chase, he stopped on a certain evening to rest himself, and enjoy a repast of roots, after this comfortless supper was ended, he wrapped himself in his skins and thought that he would lie down and enjoy a little sleep. He did so, and the only sounds which broke the stillness of the air were caused by the falling of the dew from the leaves, and the whistling of the whippoorwill. It was not past midnight, and the Winnebago was yet undisturbed. A whoop is heard in the forest, but so remote from his grassy couch as not to be heard by the unconscious sleeper. But what can this shouting mean? A party of Iroquois warriors have fallen upon the trail of their enemy, and are in hot pursuit. But still the Winnebago warrior is in the midst of a pleasant dream. On come his enemies, and his death is inevitable. The shouting of the Iroquois is now distinct and clear, but in the twinkling of an eye it is swallowed up in a much louder and dismal shriek, which startled the Winnebago to his feet. He is astonished, and wonders whence comes the noise. He looks upward, and lo! perched upon one of the branches of the tree under which he has been resting, the form of a large white owl. It rolls its large yellow eyes upon him and tells him that an enemy is upon his trail, and that he must flee for his life. And this is the way in which the white owl manifested his gratitude to the Winnebago hunter for his kindness in sparing its own life many years before. And since that time the owl has ever been considered a very good and a very wise bird; and when it perches above the wigwam of the red man it is always safe from harm.

Thus ends the story. Some commentary does seem appropriate.

At this time, the Winnebago tribe territory was in Iowa and Minnesota. It is not likely that the Iroquois of the eastern country (i.e., Ohio River Valley) would battle the Winnebago, a distance westward in the Mississipppi River valley. There are other false precepts in this story — especially in association with the known lore of the snowy owl — if the story is looked at in a critical manner. It is not probable that a snowy owl would be present when the whip-poor-will would be calling in the woods.

This legend might better be associated with the great horned owl, whose habits much better reflect comments given in the tale. Whatever the actuality, this article can none-the-less be appreciated as an interpreted legend written by some unknown, eastern coast scribe.

Tuesday, July 3, 1849. Indian legend of the white owl. Fredonia Censor 29(18): 1 as issued at Fredonia, New York. From the National Intelligencer.

Disposition of Nebraska Snowy Owl Carcasses

Several carcasses of the Snowy Owl that have died during their winter sojourn in Nebraska will be mounted or made into study skins.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has about fourteen carcasses, according to Joel Jorgensen, the nongame bird biologist. Those which will not be mounted for placement in agency offices — perhaps 1-2 owls — will be turned over to the University of Nebraska State Museum.

UNSM has received ten carcasses thus far from throughout the state, said Tom Labedz, collections manager. "These specimens are a receipt to prove where the owls were and when."

These specimens can be studied later by researchers, being useful for isotope studies, or evaluation of age and sex of the owls, he said, adding that they can also help provide a "more thorough understanding of the workings of our natural environment."

Labedz is working to get the best possible documentation concerning where and when the dead bird was found. This information will be integrated into the bird collection database, which will eventually be available online.

Those carcasses not kept at this museum, will go to a bird specimen collection in Kansas, he said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has transferred four live snowy owls to Raptor Recovery Nebraska, said Mike George, supervisor of the Ecological Services office in Grand Island.

Any dead specimens are turned over to conservation officers of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The federal agency also hopes to have one of the owls mounted and kept in their office so it can be used for educational purposes.

Snowy Owls Going to Feather Repository

Some of the Snowy Owls which have died during this winter's irruption from the Arctic, will soon provide culturally significant feathers for use by members of many Native American tribes.

Sia, or the Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative, has so far received only one owl carcass from a South Dakota refuge, according to William Voelker, executive director and co-founder.

Several will be sent from Raptor Recovery Nebraska, according to Betsy Finch, director.

Sia is the only tribal effort that can store feathers for distribution to members of federally recognized tribes throughout the United States.

"The feathers are used for cultural, ceremonial or spiritual needs or purposes," Voelker said. "The snowy owl is a sacred and holy bird to some tribes of the northern Plains" such as the Siouxian, Blackfeet and Crow.

"Wing and tail feathers in the form of a fan are used for doctoring in specific healing ceremonies," Voelker said.

"For many tribes, it is important to be able to use a feather and call on the energy of the bird to connect to the power of a higher energy," Voelker said.

Once the usable feathers are removed, a special ceremony then occurs where the remains are painted with ochre, and bundled for a scaffold or rock-pile disposal, Voelker said. "No bird is ever burned or buried, as this would be an affront to Native American culture."

This method allows the bird's spirit and energy to return to their sky domain.

Few Snowy Owl feathers have previously been available, and those that become available now will allow the initiative to establish a stockpile to fulfill future requests.

Though the group has a special focus on raptors, feathers from most native birds are of interest, as different tribes recognize the unique significance of different species.

Feathers of birds not classified under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are also distributed by the repository to people who are not members of a federally recognized tribe.

"Our repository has feathers of birds from five continents," Voelker said.

Sia — a Comanche word for feather — was established 36 years ago and is an official program of the Comanche Nation.

Other efforts of the initiative include care and breeding of the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle, scientific research on the use of plumage by tribal nations, and breeding the Spanish Imperial Eagle in partnership with the Spanish government.

The Initiative operates under authority of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has issued a permit that allows the possession of items from birds designated by the MBTA.

A two-year evaluation period for the repository is currently underway, which started in June 2010.

Errant Snowy Owls Receive Aid From Raptor Recovery

Since December 2011, Raptor Recovery Nebraska has been trying to help a very few of the errant Snowy Owls survive after their arrival from their normal Arctic haunts.

Only four of the 16 owls received thus far this winter - through early February - are still alive, said Betsy Finch, director of the group with its headquarters in Elmwood.

There have been nearly 200 reported sightings of this species in Nebraska, during this period.

"We haven't had a fat one yet," Finch said in regards to the weight of the owls received through a state-wide network of volunteers who typically care for injured, resident raptors. The birds have been emaciated and weighed two pounds or less, Finch said. Their normal weight is twice this amount. They have been found to be suffering from maladies including starvation, feather mites, or an injury.

Two of the birds have pins in a wing bone, after having been hit by a car, Finch said.

"The owls we are caring for are eating and doing better," she said. "Snowy owls with the best chance to survive end up in the hands of rehabilitators."

The birds being cared for at the group's facilities are all males, Finch noted. Once they gain weight, the large owls will be exercised in a 120-foot long flight pen.

In late-March or early April the surviving owls will be shipped to the Minnesota Raptor Center, Finch said. They will then receive further care with an intent to eventually return them to the wild, at a release point along the Canadian border. Hopefully the birds would then return to their normal Arctic homeland.

The dead Snowy Owls are not being thrown away. Owl, hawk and eagle carcasses are sent by Raptor Recovery Nebraska to SIA, Finch said.

The Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative (SIA) is a feather repository in Cyril Oklahoma. The tribal group distributes feathers for use in ceremonies and other authorized purposes. Unutilized bird material is then apparently buried in an ceremony respective of the bird.

Snowy Owl Reportage - 1875-1885

Newspaper accounts during 1875-1885 report visits by the Snowy Owl, from the Arctic north. There are many indications of local instances of some of its presence.

The irruption in the winter of 1876-1877 was well reported.

It was a "mild and open season," for the winter, according to a weather almanac report from Montreal written by Henry G. Vennor. Snowy owls had wandered as far south as Washington, D.C. There was also a southward migration of the Great Gray Owl and Bohemian Waxwings.

Another report of the white owl was December 1876, for the Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania area. The local paper said: "... to judge from the number which have been shot in neighboring counties, we should fancy that they are about as numerous as sparrows. Half of our exchanges contain reports of the shooting of these owls."

In Montreal in January, 1877: "People happening to pass through the Place d'Armes, in front of the French Cathedral have witnessed a sight rarely seen in this or indeed any other city; viz.: Two, three or even more individuals of the Snowy or White Arctic owl species, perched upon the eaves of the bank buildings or flying from place to place on the opposite sides of the square."

The report continued, indicating these owls were being reported not only in Canada, but southward through the northern and middle United States. Many were being sold in local markets, according to the Montreal Witness.

Specimens were also taken at Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., according to another report. In Philadelphia, forty were sent to taxidermist John Krider.

The extent of the owl's occurrence is concise in this statement from an observer on the east coast: "I have heard of some five hundred specimens that have been seen, the majority which have been shot."

Worth considering were large numbers of these owls first appeared at New England about the first of November, 1877, according to a journalistic report. Dozens of owls got shot and "sent to the markets and to taxidermists." Fifteen were seen on a small island off the coast of Rockport, Massachusetts. In Maine, they appeared in September, with more than 150 shot in the vicinity of Portland.

Towards the end of the winter, an extent of the irruption is given in these few words: "A taxidermist during the past winter stuffed 176 snow owls, shot on the Long Island coast."

Another southward movement was in the early 1880s.

A bird taken late November 1880 was shot while perched on a telephone pole at North Hinsdale, Pennsylvania. The lifeless carcass got stuffed, attached to a perch — a seemingly inevitable fate — in multitude during these years.

One well-done specimen was a prominent display in the window of an establishment at Brattleboro, Vermont. It was from north of Townshend, taken in the autumn of 1881, the carcass had gone through the regular process of becoming a mount, set in a window for show purposes. The dead animal's wing-span was 7½ feet.

The "handsomest members of the owl family" were being seen in large numbers in eastern New York state, according to news of early 1882: "It is the first winter in which they have been abundant in four years. They are in good demand for ornaments and ornithological collections, when stuffed."

One bird from the north was displayed in Waco, Texas, its story indicating: "In spite of its strange situation this bird peculiar to tropical regions, seemed much at home, and stared steadfastly and unblushingly with its single eye, into the faces of curious visitors."

An owl taken near the Scranton reservoir was being stuffed in the autumn of 1882 by a taxidermist at Lehigh University. Harfang was an alternate common name for the large white owl of the winter.

New York City in January, 1883 had a lively market. One business-district taxidermist said nine of his ten customers wanted to buy an owl, the New York Sun story said. Most of his stock was recently sold, with only a few screech owls left for a willing buyer with cash.

Two of the white owls were shot in Jersey City, with one each taken at Riker's Hospital and Bellevue Hospital, within the metropolis.

A stuffed snowy owl cost $25, with less "superb specimens" for "as low as $15, $12, and even $10." A great horned owl specimen could be bought for $10, or a barred owl for $6. The small-size screech owl was being sold for $2.50.

Another taxidermist in the big city was selling an owl a day.

The reason?

"Capt. William Fowler says the great increase of the owls popularity is due to the vast social, moral, and generally artistic and aesthetic influence of the 'Owl Club," which is wont to gather in 'the hollow tree roost: at the Knickerbocker Cottage at midnight, there — in the language of the call for their recent dinner — 'too eate, too drynke, too be merrie, to hoote ande too screeche l' ye barne.'" — New York Sun reporter depiction"

The original story headlines were "Minerva's Bird in Fashion. All Sorts of Stuffed Owls in Lively Demand at Extraordinary Prices." This report went national, published February in the Los Angeles Herald and the Washington D.C. Bee in March.

Newspaper Accounts

Snowy owls mentions from prior to 1885 are especially expressive records for birds among the historic chronicles. The "rags" are one of five primary sources. Two great values of any newspaper are the timely and wide-spread venue, as issued in nearly every major town and city. It would have been a short walk from the post-office to the paper's office to spread the observations for a community story, soon printed. Prior to 1875 there were sporting journals with huntists tales, but nothing yet for an ornithological society. Bird journals were ready to fledge because of birdly endeavors in the eastern United States.

An editor — with so many across states and western frontier — had a focused interest, most ready for something to include on their daily or weekly pages. The page content is a wealth of details, with many an essential aspect of research in historic ornithology. Research derived from the millions of pages online has dramatically furthered known bird history.

Words from the past, mostly during the drab winter weeks, made white owls the news then. And the Snowy Owl is still news, once again.

Newspaper Accounts of the Snowy Owl - 1854-1874

Snowy owl occurrence in the United States was sporadically noted in historic newspapers. With the westward spread of settlement and development of towns and cities, there was also a greater geographic occurrence of sightings.

"A Snow Owl. A bird that deserves to be classed with the eagle, for size and strength, was killed on the bluff, last Wednesday, by our friend William S. Thompson, and by him brought into our office. From tip to tip of wings he measures for feet, and eight inches, and his tallons [sic] were like those of an eagle. They breed in, and usually frequent the northern regions, being numerous about Hudson's Bay and the Red River of the North." — from the Oquaka Spectator, as issued December 28, 1854 in the Jeffersonian 15(6): 2, published at Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania.

The "Oquawka Spectator" is apparently from Henderson County, Illinois, based upon an online search. The previous Wednesday correlates to December 20th, 1854.

Another potential instance is from Windham County, Vermont, as given in the community correspondence column.

"A Monster Owl. — Edward L. Prutt of Jacksonville shot an owl, on the 10th last, that measured 4 feet 9½ inches from tip to tip of his wings and weighed four pounds. His owlship had been making sad havoc in the poultry yard of J.B. Chase, killing one hen turkey that weighed 15 pounds, and nearly killing another about the same size. Although he was caught in a steel trap, but not liking such close quarters he flew with the trap which weighed 2½ pounds to the woods, about half a mile distant, where he was discovered and shot. We have only the weight and measurement to determine the species. If he was white he was probably of the species known to ornithologists as the strix nyctea, or snowy owl; if of a grayish brown color he belonged to the strix cinerea, or cinerous owl." — February 14, 1861 in the Vermont Phoenix 28(7): 2.

With this bird chasing after such large poultry, it was possibly some other species, as this prey would not conform with the small mammals typically eaten.

A report from California indicates the occurrence of an owl in Georgia.

"A fine specimen of the snowy owl was found lately near Macon, Ga., crippled by a shot. It is a far northern bird, and rarely seen in that latitude." — February 1, 1858 in the Additional Atlantic Items features, Daily Alta California 10(31): 1.

This report does however, say a while owl was going after poultry. Connecticut was the next state with a local newspaper report.

"H.P. Smith, of North Haven, Conn., recently killed a snow-white owl measuring five feet eight inches from tip to tip of his wings. The owl was pitching into the poultry, and Mr. Smith pitched into him with a pitchfork." — September 23, 1863 in the Daily National Republican 3(253): 2.

North Haven is in New Haven county.

One account from the southern plains is from Kansas.

"The Doniphan county Patriot says a Rocky Mountain owl was shot in that county by J.W. Starns, which was a snow-white bird, measuring five feet two inches from tip to tip. The owl was covered with heavy down from his beak to his toes. The eyes were large and lustrous, with yellow iris and dilated pupils. The beak short and curved, capable of inflicting a most formidable blow. The claws over an inch long, very much curved, and as sharp as thorns. This variety of owl is very scarce east of the Rocky mountains, and far surpasses in size, strength and beauty any of the owls in this country. — Possibly it was a wanderer from the Arctic regions." — January 30, 1864 in the Oskaloosa Independent 4(23): 2.

These two widespread record would seem to indicate an irruption of some extent, especially as they occurred during the same winter season.

It wasn't until 1871 that the next account was located.

"Mr. D.W. Reed, of Mecca, brought to our office, on Monday last, a bird rarely seen in this region, to wit: a Snow owl. Friday last it was seen to alight on a tree in Mr. Reed's door-yard, and was shot by his son. It is about two feet long and from tip to tip of wing about four and one-half feet. The general color is snowy white, with the upper part of head and back with lunated dark brown spots. This bird is only found in northern regions, and is certainly prepared from beak to claws for the severest winter weather. A peculiarity of this species of owl is that it hunts in the day time. It is said by naturalists to be of rapid and powerful flight, striking ducks, pigeons, &c., on the wing like a falcon, and seizes rabbits, squirrels and rats from the ground, and fish from the shallows." — December 6, 1871 in the Western Reserve Chronicle 56(19): 3 as issued at Warren, Ohio.

The general reference to "Friday last" might pertain to November 24th, which is the Friday prior to the Monday several days before the paper was issued.

Some of the items mentioned in this article are quite dubious, but at least it got some press and was therefore noted in the chronicles.

A next instance is from Tennessee.

"An owl, white as snow, with wings seven feet from tip to tip, was killed at Corinth a few days ago. It was driven from its native home, about the North Pole, by record tempests, which have swept over the country in all directions. The wings of the wonderful bird are preserved at the Scruggs House." — July 20, 1871 in the Memphis Daily Appeal 31(222): 3.

This is certainly an aberrant date, and it is not apparent how the bird would have survived from winter until summer?

A final newspaper article located is from the Pacific coast, in California.

"Our friend Jeff White has quite a curiosity at his place which he captured the other day. Upon getting into his orchard early one morning he discovered a large white owl perched in the top of a walnut tree. By a little ingenious maneuvering, some climbing and a few scratches he secured the bird and bore it in triumph to the house. It proves, upon examination, to be of a species known as the snowy owl (apis politis) and is very rare — for this latitude. Jeff has the bird securely boxed and tethered, and proposes to have it killed, stuffed and mounted as soon as he can find a taxidermist to do the work." — February 27, 1875 in the Los Angeles Daily Herald 3(129): 3.

These tidbits are a wonderful addition to the lore of this species, and are from newspapers, which are such an important source for the study of historic ornithology.

Each of these records indicate a time period when an irruption of this northern owl probably occurred. If these newspaper accounts were combined with a numerous other records, they would provide a much clearer indication of Snowy Owl occurrence in the lower 48 states prior to 1875.

Snowy Owl Chronicles and Possible 1844 Irruption

Numerous records in the chronicles indicate the Snowy Owl occurrence in lower North America dates to circa 1685 and subsequently. A first notation was by John Clayton, and for the Virginia colonies.

In the mid-1740s, this winter owl was noted for the Kingsessing Meadows in Pennsylvania, as denoted by William Bartram. The first glimpse of an irruption was in the spring of 1835, when a Strix nyctea was observed at the Fulton Market, in New York City.

A couple of records indicate occurrence in 1844 and 1845.

"A Buffalo paper says a white owl was recently captured at Black Rock, which measured six feet three inches from tip to tip of its extended wings." — account January 30, 1844 in the New York Daily Tribune 3(252): 4 and repeated February 10, 1844 in the Sunbury American and Shamokin Journal.

A "wolf chase" in northern Maine in the winter of 1844 provides another, though unlikely, instance. In an account by C. Whitehead — issued a few years after the event — his descriptive narrative related skating up the Kennebec River in a sporting quest(January 18, 1851; Sunbury American 3(12): 1). Along one tributary he watched "a couple of white owls, that sat in their hooded state, with ruffled pantaletts [sic] and long ear tabs, debating in silent conclave the affairs of their frozen realm, and wondering if they, 'for all their feathers were cold'"... .

Its presence in a wooded habitat and noted to have "ear tabs" convey that these owls were some other species. This prose may have also been nothing more than poetic expression included to pique the readers interest.

A third report was from New England, conveyed a lively view of having an owl about, and representing perspectives of two sorts.

"A Capital Joke. — A good natured laugh has run around our village lately from a story that is too good to confine to such narrow borders. For several weeks past a large white owl has been seen from day to day flying in this vicinity. His 'Wisdom' has attracted many shots from marksmen which whether too small or too poorly aimed have been ineffectual. One day not long since he was seen perched upon a wall a few rods west of the village, and several 'good shots' among 'our first young men' started in pursuit. — Creeping warily behind walls and through bushes they would attain a desirable proximity and 'let fly.' The grave and reverend president of night was imperturbable however. Some fired two or three times but the great eyes still glared unmoved. The marksman would retire satisfied, and another would succeed. The result was the same. Some came back boldly laughing, and others slinking, with 'covered arms' — for the village was in a roar of laughter. A stuffed owl had been made to personate the live specimen that had been actually seen, and those eager to do execution had learned that it was not well to shoot white owls very early in April. — Barre Gazette."

The article was reprinted in the Burlington, Vermont newspaper (May 17, 1844; Burlington Free Press 17(50): 1).

In February, 1845 a short news article referred to a white owl about in January 1845 (February 1, 1845; Columbia Democrat 3(41): 2 as issued at Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pennsylvania).

"White Owl. The Main[e] Farmer mentions that one of those rare birds, white owl, was shot a few days since at Vassalborough, ME. His owlship was near the house, looking into the poultry yard for a Christmas dinner, when he was taken. His body and legs were covered with an abundance of down and feathers for the cold weather, and were white as the snow which he beat. His legs and claws looked as if they belonged [to] the firm of 'Catchem & Holdem.' His wings when extended measured five feet two inches from their two extremes."

Although there is scant evidence, the occurrence of a couple of sightings in the same season, may indicate an irruption. There are certainly few records to develop a broad-based perspective. Nonetheless, the lore adds another unique aspect to the historic ornithology of the period.

Snowy Owls in Northern Nebraska Sandhills

Snowy Owls have been reported numerous times in Nebraska in recent weeks, with most reports from eastern Nebraska, and the Missouri River valley.

After an inquiry to contacts in the sandhills region, details were received on two sightings, both on December 31, 2011.

Lynn Borysenko noted one about two miles south of Bassett and another west of Ainsworth, and about two miles north by the Bejot feed lot.

Snowy Owl near Bassett. Photograph by Lynn Borysenko and used with permission. (c) 2011 Lynn Borysenko.

Weather conditions were not ideal for taking the photograph, as "it was raining, windy, and close to dark," she said.

These two sighting have not been reported elsewhere. There was a sighting on November 25, 2001 which was also in the vicinity of Bassett.

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On January 6th, a snowy owl was observed two miles west and one mile south of O'Neill, by Doug Frahm.