21 



4. SCOPS. SCOPS, OR LITTLE HORNED OWL. 



S. Auriculala griseo-fusca, subferrvgineo nigroque 

 varia, subtus cinerea nigro varia. Shaw. 



The bill is black ; the irides are yellow ; the whole 

 plumage is variegated with dusky, rufous, brown, and 

 grey; on the upper parts the brown predominates; 

 on the under parts the grey ; the quills are transversely 

 barred with rufous white ; the legs are covered to 

 the toes with rufous grey feathers, spotted with 

 brown ; the toes and claws are brown. Migrates. 



The length is about 7f inches. 



A specimen was shot by Mr. Fothergill, near Wetherby, 

 in 1805. Montagu. 



(WITHOUT HORNS.) 

 5. NYCTEA. SNOWY OWL. 



S. Nivea nigro maculata, roslro nigro, iridibus fia- 

 vis. Shaw. 



The bill is black ; the irides are yellow ; the plu- 

 mage varies from pure white, to that of being marked 

 on the head with small brown spots, and with narrow 

 lines of the same, transversely placed on the back 

 and under the wings, and on the sides; the quills are 

 also spotted with brown, as well as the feathers of the 

 tail ; the legs and toes are covered with close white 

 feathers; the claws are black, and very much hooked. 



