Birds of Britain 

 THE SNOWY OWL 



Nyctea scandiaca (Linnaeus) 



The Arctic regions both in summer and winter form the 

 home of this large and handsome species, though many 

 wander southwards during the winter months. 



In the Shetlands and Orkneys it is a fairly regular 

 winter visitor during severe weather, and it has frequently 

 occurred in Scotland ; to England and Ireland, however, its 

 visits are few and far between. 



The plumage is pure white, spotted and barred with 

 dark brown, the amount of which varies greatly in 

 individuals. Length of male 22 in,; wing 15*5 in. The 

 female is slightly larger. 



THE HAWK OWL 



Surnia funerea (Li rinse us) 



The Hawk Owl inhabits the pine forests of Northern 

 Europe, Siberia, and North America. It has occurred here 

 as a straggler on several occasions, the majority of examples 

 having been shot in the western counties of England and 

 Scotland, and belonging curiously enough to the American 

 race, which has the bars of the under parts more ruddy 

 than the European form. This latter form has, however, 

 also been obtained on at least one occasion. 



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