Snowy Owl. RAPTORES. SURNIA. 97 



The figure on Plate 23. is nearly in the proportion of three- General 

 fourths of the natural size, taken from a specimen killed tion"^" 

 in the Shetland Islands, and which, from its numerous 

 brown bars and spots, appears to have been either a 

 young bird, or of middle age, as the old of this species 

 exhibit a pure white plumage. 

 Bill black, nearly hidden by the projecting bristly feathers 

 at its base. The head, compared with other Owls, is 

 small, in proportion to the size of the body. Irides 

 gamboge-yellow. Spots and bars on the plumage 

 brownish-black. Legs and toes very rough, and clothed 

 with long hairy feathers, that almost conceal the claws, 

 which are long, black, and very sharp. The outward 

 orifice of the ear much smaller, and rounder in shape 

 than is found in the other species. 



Since writing the above description, two very fine speci- 

 mens (a male and female) of this rare British bird were kill- 

 ed near Rothbury, in Northumberland, tin the latter part of 

 January 1823, during the severe snow-storm that was so 

 generally felt throughout the north of England and Scot- 

 land. They are the only individuals of this species hitherto 

 taken, or, I believe, seen in England, and are now in my col- 

 lection. 



From the number of bars and black spots upon the head, 

 back, scapulars, wings, and belly of the female, it appears 

 to be a young bird. Its dimensions, when recently killed, 

 were as follows. Length from the tip of the bill to the end 

 of the tail two feet one inch. Breadth with extended wings 

 five feet. The male is of inferior size, and is much whiter 

 than the female. Bill black ; nearly hidden by the bristly 

 recurved feathers at the base. Facial disk small, only occu- 

 pying the base of the bill and part of the lower eye-orbit. 

 Eye-brows projecting. Wings, when closed, shorter than 

 the tail by nearly two inches. The third quill-feather the 

 longest. Legs and toes very thickly clothed with hairy fea- 



VOL. I. G 



