SCOPS-EARED OWL. SNOWY OWL. 27 



of Killiane, Wexford, which had been killed near Kilmore, in 

 the south of that county. 



Very common in Italy during summer, Mr. Spence, the ce- 

 lebrated entomologist, has noticed it during his residence in 

 Florence, from one which established itself in the garden at- 

 tached to his house, where it became remarkable in con- 

 stantly uttering its cry from nightfall to midnight, at intervals 

 between each other, as regular as the ticking of a clock.* 



In France we have the authority of Buffon, who states 

 that they arrive in flocks about the same time as the swallow, 

 and take their departure after them. 



Habitat Southern Europe. 



GENUS XIII SYRNIA (SNOWY OWL). 



SPECIES 25 THE SNOWY OWL. 



Syrnia nyctea. Selby. 

 Chouette harfang. Temm. 



THIS noble -looking bird, of which as many as eight or nine 

 instances have been recorded as having occurred in Ireland, 

 is the most magnificent in its appearance of the family to 

 which it belongs. 



Extremely powerful and muscular in its conformation, it 

 differs from the strigidse in many particulars. Bold and de- 

 termined in its habits, the prey is indifferently captured in the 

 broad glare of day, or during the dusk of twilight. Possessing 

 also a degree of courage not observable in other species, it 

 gives chase to the object of pursuit upon the wing, and gains 

 upon it by rapid sweeps of the wing, striking it somewhat in 

 the manner of the peregrine. 



At times even emulating that noble falcon in its audacity, 

 Dr. Richardson informs us that in the northern latitudes of 

 America it has been known to watch the grouse-shooters for 

 a whole day for the purpose of sharing the spoil. On such 

 occasions it perches on a high tree, and when a bird is shot, 

 skims down and carries it off before the sportsman can get 

 near. 



The plumage of the adult is extremely beautiful, the fea- 

 thers being pure white, accasionally tipped with the deepest 

 black. 



Its form is so completely enveloped with down and feathers 

 that the bill and claws are but discernible. In this provision 



* Loudon's Magazine of Natural History. 



