446 



PREYING KIRDS — RAPTORES. 



This division embraces two species only, which inhabit the Arctic regions 

 of both continents, migrating southward in the winter. 



Gexus NYCTEA, Stephens. 



Nyctea, Stephens, Cont. of Shaw's Zool. XIII. 182G, 62. (Type, Strix nyctea, L.) 



Gen. C'liAit. Large; head rather large, without ear-tufts ; no faeial disk ; legs rather 

 short, and with the toes co\ered densely with long hair-like feathers, nearly eoncealiug 



the claws. Bill short, nearly concealed by projecting feathers, very strong ; wings long ; 

 tail moderate, or rather long, wide ; claws strong, fully curved. 



But one species of this genus is at present known to naturalists, occurring 

 in the north of both hemispheres. 



