Sub-Family NYCTEININ.E, The Day Owls. 



Char. General form compact and robust. Head moderate, without ear-tufts ; 

 wings and tail rather long ; tarsi strong, which, with the toes, are more densely 

 covered than in any other division of this family. 



This division embraces two species only, which inhabit the 

 Arctic regions of both continents, the majority of the incHviduals 

 miorratinsT southward in the winter. 



Genus NYCTEA, Stephens. 



Gen. Char. Large ; head rather large, without ear-tufts ; no facial disk ; legs rather short, 

 and with long hair-hke feathers, nearly conceahng the claws. Bill short, nearly concealed by pro- 

 jecting feather?, very strong ; wings long ; tail moderate, or rather long, wide ; claws strong, fully 

 curved. 



Only one species of this genus is known, occurring in the 

 north of both hemispheres. In America during winter it migrates 

 southward almost to the Gulf of Mexico. Some, however, remain 

 all the year round in the fur countries. 



Nyctea Scandiaca (Linn.) Newt. 

 NYCTEA NIVE.'\, Gray. 



SNOWY OWL; W^HITE OWL. 

 PJLATES XXVIII i- XXIX. 



Were we required to single out from amongst our birds one 

 that might be said to be emblematic of a bright, clear, sharp 

 Canadian winter — not that of 1875-76 — we could not select any 

 more appropriate than the beautiful Snowy Owl of northern North 

 America. His snow-clad plumage recalls to our memories many 

 a brilliant, biting day, and many a storm experienced far from the 

 haunts of civilization in the interminable wild snowy wastes of 

 Canada. Even during the heat of mid-summer, a glance at our 

 case of stuffed Snowy Owls is sufficient to cause a feeling of relief 

 and refreshment in the same manner as the sight of a collection of 

 green, fresh-growing plants in winter reminds us of a by-gone and 

 approaching summer. 



