22 NEW- YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



however, in different individuals ; the black band over the eye uniting with the anterior spot, 

 and forming a circular band on the sides of the neck, and the posterior spot becoming an 

 angular mark. Above, confusedly blotched with white. Beneath, with numerous narrow 

 bars, or interrupted streaks of rufous brown. Leg-feathers rufous barred with brown. Tail 

 dark brown, with 6-7 narrow curved bars of whitish, and tipped with white. 



Length, 15-0-18-0. 



The Hawk Owl is a rare visiter in the State of New- York, except in the more northerly 

 counties. Its usual residence is in high northern latitudes. It is known to breed as low 

 down as Vermont (where it is common), and probably in this State. It has also been observed 

 on the coast of New-Jersey, and, according to Kirtland, in Ohio. It flies about in the day- 

 time more than any other species. It feeds on mice and the smaller birds. It has been ob- 

 served as high as the 68lh parallel, and is common to the northern parts of both continents. 



THE SNOWY OWL. 



SURNIA NYCTEA. 



TLATE IX. FIG. 20 (Female). 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Strix nyctea. Wilson, Orn. Vol. 4, p. 53, pi. 32, fig. 1 (male). 



Sumia nyctea. Bonap. Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 36. 



Snowy Owl. Ndttall, Man. Orn. Vol. I, p. 116. 



Great Snowy Owl. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 88. 



SCrix nyctea. Aud. folio pi. 121, (m. and f.) ; Orn. Biog. Vol.2, p. 135; B. of A. Vol. 2, p. 113, pi. 28. 



Nyctea Candida. Bonap. Comp. List, p. 6. 



Sumia nyctea. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 22. 



Characteristics. Large. White, more or less barred with dusky ; bill black. An imper- 

 fect disk of feathers. Tail moderately rounded. Length, 25 inches. 



Description. Bill compressed, nearly concealed among the feathers. Under tail-coverts 

 nearly as long as the tail. Eyebrows somewhat prominent. Tail rounded ; the outer feathers 

 about an inch shorter than the central ones. Hind claw shortest. Leg-feathers long and 

 hair-like. 



Color. White, sometimes entirely so. Wings and breast marked with crescent-shaped 

 spots of deep and light brown, forming interrupted bars. Tail white, with 5-6 narrow 

 brown bars. Bill and claws black. Irides yellow. Female : The whole body, the throat 

 and legs, and all except the facial disk and occasionally the legs, covered with uninterrupted 

 bars of brown. Young, rusty brown. 



Length, 22-0-29-0. 



