THE GREAT WHITE OWL. 159 



THE SCOPS-TUFTED OWL (StriX SCOps). 



This is the smallest of the British tufted owls, measuring 

 only about half as long as the last mentioned species. Its 

 tufts form a sort of coronet across the head, marked by 

 nearly a straight line on the under part, and most produced 

 at the sides on the top. The colours are finely marked, and 

 the form is more light and slender than that of most of the 

 owls. Its tarsi and toes are bare, which shows it to belong 

 properly to warmer climes. It is indeed of so rare occur- 

 rence in England, as a straggler, that, though it is interesting 

 to collectors, it can hardly be considered a British bird ; and 

 it certainly is one which common observers have not much 

 chance of seeing. 



THE GREAT WHITE, OR SNOWY OWL (Strix nyctea). 



This species is by much the largest of the smooth-headed 

 or tuftless owls, being two feet in length, and nearly four feet 

 and a half in the extent of the wings. Its mature plumage 

 is altogether snow-white: but the young birds and females 

 are marked with brown or dusky spots and bars. The tarsi 

 and toes are very closely covered with long feathers, which 

 partially conceal the claws; the claws are strong, sharp, and 

 much hooked, and they and the bill are black, the latter with 

 a tinge of blue. The conchse around the eyes are very close 

 and well formed ; and the upper parts, which meet at a well 



winter visitants in the north of Ireland : October 13th is the earliest 

 date of its occurrence to me. It has been added to the birds of Donegal 

 by Mr. Stewart; and its migration to the mountains of Wexford in 

 winter, has been communicated to me. I have several times met with 

 and shot this owl in the neighbourhood of Belfast, but invariably in wet 

 and boggy places, where snipes might be expected." On one occasion 

 Mr. Thompson found the legs of a purre (Tringa variabilis) in the 

 stomach of a specimen. M. 



