98 RAPTORES. STRIX. 



thers, Claws black, very long, and much incurved ; the 

 middle one with a sharp inner edge, and grooved ; the inner 

 claw also grooved ; and the outer and hind ones cylindrical. 



Both these birds were killed upon the open moor, in a wild 

 and rocky part of the county, and, according to description, 

 were generally seen, during the few days that intervened be- 

 tween their first appearance and death, perched upon the 

 snow, or on some large stone projecting from it. 



The female, which was sent to me immediately after being 

 shot, was dissected and preserved at home. She was in ex- 

 cellent condition, and was covered entirely under the skin 

 with a layer of fat, nearly a quarter of an inch in thickness. 



Her stomach was quite empty, and did not appear to have 

 contained food for a short time previous. The male was 

 killed about ten days afterwards, within a few miles of the 

 same place, and had lived probably during the interval upon 

 the black and red grouse, which are abundant in that dis- 

 trict. 



GENUS STRIX, AUCT. OWL. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill strait at the base, with the tip arched, and hooked. 

 Cutting margin of the upper mandible nearly straight ; un- 

 der mandible sloping to the point, and doubly notched. Nos- 

 trils oval, obliquely placed on the anterior ridge of the cere. 

 Facial disk large, complete. Auditory conch very large, and 

 furnished with an operculum. Wings long, and ample ; the 

 second quill-feather the longest in the wing ; the first being 

 very little shorter, equal to the third, and slightly notched 

 on its inner web near the tip. Tail short, and even. Legs 

 having the tarsi long and slender, clothed with downy seta- 

 ceous feathers ; toes thinly covered with hairs ; claws long, 

 sharp, moderately curved, and all more or less grooved be- 

 neath. 



