22 
NEW-YOUK 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 68th parallel, and is common to the northern parts of both continents. 
THE SNOWY OWL. 
SURNIA NYCTEA. 
PLATE IX. FIG. 20 (Female). 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Strix nyctea. Wilson, Orn. Vol. 4, p. 53, pi. 32, fig. 1 (male). 
Sumia nyctea. Bonap. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 36. 
Snowy Owl. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 116. 
Great Snowy Owl. RiciiarDson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p 89. 
Strix nyctea. Add. folio pi. 121, (m. and f.); Orn. Biog. Vol. 2, p. 135; B. of A. Vol. 2, p. 113, pi. 29. 
Nyctea Candida. BonaP. Comp. List, p. 6. 
Surnia 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 
liair-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. 
