138 



STRIGID.E, 



more or less spotted and barred "witli dark umber brown, 

 according to the age of the individual ; these dark marks be- 

 coming smaller and smaller every succeeding year, until in 

 very old individuals from high northern latitudes the whole 

 plumage becomes pure white, without any spots whatever. 

 The brown mark when present is situated towards the end of 

 the feather bearing it ; and upon the feathers of the under 

 surface these markings are semilunar in shape, while those on 

 the feathers covering the back and wings are more linear. 

 The feathers forming the incomplete facial disk, those of the 

 upper part of the breast, and also the downy feathers defend- 

 ing the legs and toes, are pure white : the beak and claws are 

 black ; both are partially hidden by feathers ; the latter are 

 long, curved, and very sharp. The irides are bright orange 

 yellow. The whole length of the Snowy Owl is from twen- 

 ty-two to twenty-seven inches, the diiFerence depending on 

 the sex : the females are much the larger of the two. M. 

 Temmincksays the young birds are covered with brown down, 

 and their first feathers are also light brown. 



The vignette below represents the crystalline lens and the 

 bony ring of the eye in this bird, which may be compared 

 with those of the Eagle at page 14, and both are referred to 

 at page H. 



