THE SNOWY OWL 



22: 



Fig-. 89. The Snowy Owl. 



Genus Nyctea Stephens. 



31. NYCTEA NYCTEA (Linnaeus). 376. 

 Snowy Owl. White Owl. 



Field Characters. Large, white, with yellow eyes and no ear- 

 tufts. Seen usually after winter has well begun. 



Description. White above and below, barred more or less with 

 dusky markings ; female birds being more heavily marked as a rule. 

 Feet and legs with long whitish hairlike feathers. Eyes yellow ; ear- 

 tufts not markedly evident. 



Measurements. Length, 22 to 26 inches ; wing, 16 to 18 inches ; 

 tail, 9 to 10 inches. 



