Hedwig in National Geographic

[Alison Shapiro]

The cover story in the December 2002 National Geographic Magazine 
(US) is "The Magic of Snowy OWLS."  Near the end of the article, 
which has wonderful pictures, by the way, it states:

"Harry Potter novelist J. K. Rowling cast a snowy owl as her orphaned 
hero's courier and companion.  This seems perfectly fitting ... 
[snowy owls] are magically facinating -- to boy wizards and 
scientists alike."

More information about the article is available at 
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0212/feature6/index.html

Enjoy!
Alison