86 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



[23.] 6. Strix (Bubo) Arctica. (Swainson.) Arctic or White Horned Owl. 



Genus. Strix. Linn. Sub-genus, Bubo. Cuvier. 



Sp. Ch. Strix (Bubo) arctica, alba super hie illic brunnescens lineis crebris transversis nigrescentibus undulata, 

 subter Candida : jugulo abdomine tectricibus alarum internis pedibusque intactis ; gutture pectore hypocliondriisque 

 fasciatis. 



Sp. Ch. Arctic or White Horned Owl, white, tinged here and there on the dorsal aspect with brown, and 

 marked with crowded transverse blackish-brown bars and lines ; under plumage having a brilliant white ground colour, 

 unspotted on the fore part of the neck, belly, under wing coverts, and feet ; banded on the throat, breast, and flanks. 



Plate xxxii. 



This very beautiful Owl appears to be rare, only one specimen having been 

 seen by the members of the Expedition. It was observed flying - at mid-day in 

 the immediate vicinity of Carlton House, and was brought down with an arrow 

 by an Indian boy. I obtained no information respecting its habits. 



The only species mentioned by systematic writers that resembles this bird is 

 the Strix Scandiaca, which Linnaeus, according to Pennant, described solely from 

 a painting of Rudbeck's. The same author mentions, however, that its existence 

 was confirmed by Mr. Tonning, of Drontheim ; yet Temminck considers it to have 

 been merely a young Snowy Owl, on which two fictitious egrets had been placed. 

 The discovery of our species renders the existence of the Scandinavian Eared Owl 

 more probable ; but the descriptions handed down to us of the latter are so imper- 

 fect, that it can be considered only in the light of a nominal species until specimens 

 of it are obtained. Wilson mentions a " White Owl," supposed to be a va- 

 riety of Strix Virginiana, as having been seen in the United States ; but, no 

 details being given, it cannot now be ascertained whether it was our bird or 

 not*.— R. 



In this remarkable species the facial disk is very imperfect ; the ears small and 

 without an operculum, as in Strix Virginiana; the ear feathers ample ; but the 

 disk even smaller than in the last-mentioned bird, and the tarsi somewhat longer. 

 The toes are similarly connected. The tail is of moderate length, and considerably 

 rounded. The bill is strong, and rather short. — Sw. 



* The Wapacuthu Owl of Pennant and Latham, a Hudson's Bay bird, resembles our White Horned Owl consider- 

 ably in the colours of its plumage, but differs essentially in the want of egrets, which in our bird are long and highly 

 developed. Neither Pennant nor Latham appear to have seen the Wapacuthu, their descriptions corresponding word 

 for word with Mr. Hutchins's manuscript notes. The Indian word Wapacuthu means " White Owl," and is applied 

 also to the Strix nyctea, although the common term for the latter is Wapo-ohoo. Mr. Hutchins says the Wapacuthu 

 is an inhabitant of the woods, makes its nest in the moss on dry ground, and lays from five to ten white eggs in May. 

 The young fly in June, and are entirely white for some time afterwards. The Wapacuthu preys on mice and small 

 birds, which it generally kills for itself. The Expedition did not pass near Severn River, where Mr. Hutchins resided. 



