310 HISTORY OF THE 



A specimen sent to the National Museum from Sitka, taken dur- 

 ing the winter of 1881-82, has a larger amount of black mark- 

 ings than any bird I have seen. It may indicate a local dark 

 colored form in that region. 



"The Snowy Owl is said to nest in Lapland, after a great 

 lemming season, and in northern Norway as well. When it 

 nests tliere, it always chooses a hilltop or hillside. The eggs, 

 which are from six to eight or more in number, measure from 

 2.05x1.02 to 2.25x1.77, and are of a roundish, oval form; the 

 color is white, and the sliell has a fine texture. Like numerous 

 other birds, this Owl figures largely in the mythologic tales of 

 the northwestern Eskimo, one of which, in particular, is an in- 

 teresting account of the way in which man learned the use of 

 various implements, by the experience of a metamorphosed Owl. 

 It does not appear to have been a very common bird near the 

 winter quarters of the Vega, although every explorer has found 

 it wherever he has penetrated the Arctic. . 



" Wrangel accuses these birds of being carrion eaters in north- 

 ern Siberia. During the Nares Arctic expedition, these birds 

 were found nesting on Grinnell Land, in latitude 82° 33' north, 

 on Jane 2-lth, when a nest with seven eggs was found. The 

 eggs were placed in a mere hollow, scooped out of the earth, on 

 the top of a rise, in the center of a valley. They were found 

 nesting in abundance by the same party in latitude 81°." 



Genus SPEOTYTO Gi.oger. 



"Size small; head small, and without ear tufts. Bill moderately strong, 

 pale yellowish. Tarsi more than twice as long as the middle toe, feathered in 

 front, naked behind; toes scantily haired. Tail short, less than half the wing, 

 nearly even, or very slightly rounded. Three outer quills with their inner webs 

 emarginated; second to fourth longest. Ear couch very small, simple, roundish. 

 Diurnal and terrestial." 



Speotyto cunicularia hypogsea (Bonap.). 



BURROWING OWL. 

 PLATE XXI. 



Resident; abundant in the middle and western part of the 

 State. Begin laying about the middle of April. 



B. 58, 59. R. 408. C. 487. G. 189, 146. U. S7S. 



