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up into Finmark, but is most numerous on the plateaux of the Dovre and Langfjeldene. On 

 the lowlands it usually occurs on passage. As a rule it is not common ; but in the years when 

 the lemmings are on the move to the lowlands it follows them and breeds there, being quite 

 numerous in places ; and in such years it is also more numerous on the fell-plateaux. Its 

 horizontal and vertical range are about similar to those of the Double Snipe and Rough-legged 

 Buzzard ; and it frequents the same localities as the former." To this I may add that Pastor 

 Sommerfelt states that he has received eggs of this Owl from Karasjok, in Finmark. Professor 

 Sundevall says that it is found in the high northern districts of Sweden during the summer, and 

 breeds as far north as Karasjok in 70° N. lat. In the southern provinces it is, as a rule, found 

 during passage ; but it occasionally breeds even in the south of Sweden. As in Norway, it is 

 absent in the winter season. In Finland, Von Wright says, it inhabits the northern districts in 

 summer, and is found in the southern districts during passage, but is rather rare than otherwise. 

 It is not rare in Russia : I have received several specimens from Archangel ; and Mr. Sabanaeff 

 informs me that in summer it ranges as far north as the White Sea, and sometimes winters in 

 Central Russia. In the Ural he met with it chiefly in the southern portion of the Perm 

 Government. 



Throughout Northern Germany it a common bird in suitable localities. I frequently met 

 with it in different parts of Pomerania ; and it is said to breed commonly near Stettin. According 

 to Borggreve it is only a summer visitant to North Germany ; but Kjserbolling says that it is not 

 uncommon in Denmark, where it breeds, but is much more numerous in the autumn and winter 

 than at other seasons of the year. It is said to breed in tolerable numbers in Holland; and 

 Baron von Droste Hulshoff says that it is not uncommon on the island of Borkum during the 

 greater part of the year, but is more numerous in autumn, and stragglers appear to remain there 

 over the winter. In Belgium and France it is common on passage, and is stated by Professor 

 Barboza du Bocage to be also common at Ribatejo, in Portugal. In Spain it is stated by both 

 Colonel Irby and Mr. Howard Saunders to be a winter visitant only ; and the former says that it 

 is not very abundant in Andalucia. Passing eastward, again, I find that in Savoy a few pairs 

 breed in the coldest regions of the mountains, but in autumn large numbers pass on migration 

 from the middle of October to the end of November. In Italy it is very common on the spring 

 and autumn migrations, and a large number pass the winter there, especially in the central and 

 southern provinces, as well as in the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. In the latter it is, according 

 to Doderlein, almost a resident ; and Benoit states that it breeds in the mountainous districts. 

 Doderlein relates that in the island of Ustica, where the species is very numerous in October and 

 November, the birds are then very fat, attaining a weight of half a kilogramme, and are much 

 relished by the islanders ; on the spring passage they are lean and poor. 



On the island of Malta, Mr. C. A. Wright states (Ibis, 1864, p. 49), it is " very common in 

 spring and autumn, and has been known to breed here. Individuals are taken throughout 

 the winter, when the plumage generally becomes of a lighter hue mixed with white ; in one 

 specimen the underparts were almost pure white." Throughout Southern Germany it appears 

 to be common in most parts during passage ; but the late Mr. E. Seidensacher informed me that 

 it only occurred now and then at those seasons in Styria. Messrs. Elwes and Buckley state that 

 it breeds commonly in the Dobrudscha ; but in Greece, according to Dr. Kriiper, it is only met 



