147 
running into short interrupted bands over the 
neck, and on all the under parts of the bird/' 
It has been generally supposed that the 
Snowy Owl changes the colour of its plumage 
with the season, and that the snowy white- 
ness of this bird, observable in the winter, was 
thrown off on the approach of the warmer 
months, in exchange for that of a mixture of 
brown and white. This appears not to be 
the case, as will be seen by the observation 
of Mr. Bullock, who procured a specimen in 
the early part of July, as far South as the 
Orkneys. 
It is probable that the young males for a 
year or two may not be pure white (but that 
like many of the species of Falcons,) their 
plumage may be similar to that of the female, 
which is described to be mottled with brown. 
It inhabits the coldest parts of America, 
even as high as the remote mountains in the 
icy centre of Greenland, from which, in in- 
tense cold, it migrates to the shores. It adds 
(says Pennant) horrors even to that coun- 
try by its hideous cries, resembling those of a 
man in deep distress. It is common in Hud- 
son's Bay, Norway, and Lapland. It fears 
t 2 
