ACCIPITRES — STRIGID.E — SURNU. 23 



The Snowy Owl is not an uncommon visiter among us, and is considered the harbinger of 

 a severe winter. He seems to be gregarious in his migrations, if not in habits ; for his ap- 

 pearance in this vicinity is always in considerable numbers at a time. He is diurnal as well 

 as nocturnal, and feeds on fish and the smaller quadrupeds. The Snow Owl is abundant in 

 Maine and Massachusetts, and may possibly be found to breed in the most northerly parts of 

 this State. He has been seen in Florida, and has also been observed as high as the 75th 

 degree of north latitude. 



This species has been separated from Surnia by the Prince of Canino, and placed under 

 a genus Nyctea. Of this genus, which he has not characterized, I find no account. It 

 certainly exhibits variations from the typical form, in the more distinct disk, shorter legs, 

 prominent eyebrows, and small ear-apertures ; but for the present we arrange it as above. 

 The adoption of the specific name Candida of Latham by the Prince, seems to follow from 

 the generic change. The Snowy Owl is found in the northern parts of both continents. 



{EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



S.? cunicularia. (Aud B. of A. Vol. 1, p. 119, pi. 31.) Brown, spotted with white. Tail short. 



Facia] disk greyish white. Foot long, slender, with very short feathers. Length, 10 inches. 



Trans-Mississippi. 

 S.? passerinoides, Temminck. (Aud. B. of A. Vol., 1, p. 117, pi. 30.) Very small. Tail long, 



barred with white. Body olive-brown above, ashen beneath. Head spotted. Length, 7 inches. 



Columbia River. 



