158 OBSERVATIONS ON THE SNOWY OWL. 
districts of the island. The specimen now exhibited to the 
Society, which I have lately procured from that quarter of 
the country, was killed in December last. It is a female : 
the ovaria were very large, and well marked. It was al- 
together an uncommonly muscular and robust bird. 
The external appearance of this species has been well 
described by ornithological writers : for this, I shall there- 
fore refer to them ; and shall only observe, that the plum- 
age of this particular individual is singularly rich and 
beautiful. The dusky spots are more numerous than usual, 
which I am disposed to attribute rather to the circumstance 
of this bird not being arrived at permanent plumage, than 
to peculiarity of sex. The extent between the wings was 
five feet five inches; and the bird weighed five pounds/ 
which is much beyond what has been commonly stated to 
be the weight of this species ; but I suspect that, in the 
large owl, as in the eagle tribe, the females are larger than 
the males. Though, as has been alleged by ornithologists, 
it may be more active and alert during the day than other 
congenerous species, especially when it is once alarmed, yet 
I have never remarked it seeking for its prey but towards 
evening. 
It rests generally beneath some stony projection, which 
protects it from the direct influence of the sun ; and some 
instances have occurred of its being surprised asleep during 
the day, and forfeiting its life to its supineness. 
Its form and manner are highly elegant ; its flight less 
buoyant, and more rapid, than that of the other ov^^ls; 
and the superior boldness and activity of its disposition, 
the uncommon size of its talons, and vigour of its limbs, 
secure it against danger from feathered enemies. 
It affects solitary, stony, and elevated districts, which, 
by the similarity to it in colour of the rocks, render it diffi- 
