116 
LITTLE NIGHT OWL. 
and shot. It proved to be a fine old female, the plumage of which was 
almost pure white. I have heard of individuals having been seen as far 
down the Mississippi as the town of Memphis. Some Indians assured me 
that they had shot one at the mouth of the Red River ; and, while on the 
Arkansas River, I was frequently told of a large White Owl that had been 
seen there during winter. 
So much has been said to me of its breeding in the northern parts of the 
State of Maine, that this may possibly be correct. In Nova Scotia they are 
abundant at the approach of winter ; and Professor MacCulloch, of the 
University of Pictou, shewed me several beautiful specimens in his fine 
collection of North American birds. Of its place and mode of breeding I 
know nothing; for, although every person to whom I spoke of this bird 
while in Labrador knew it, my party saw none there ; and in Newfoundland 
we were equally unsuccessful in our search. 
Strix nyctea, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i..p. 132. Lath., Index Ornith., vol. i. p. 57. 
Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of Birds of the United States, p. 36. Swains, and 
Richards. Fauna Bor. Americ., vol. i. p. 88. 
Snowy Owl, Strix nyctea , Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iv. p. 53, pi. xxxii. fig. 1. Nutt. 
Man., vol. i. p. 116. 
Male and Female. 
Tail rather long, moderately rounded; plumage white; head and back 
spotted ; wings, tail, and lower parts barred with dusky brown. Young pure 
white. Individuals vary much in markings. 
Male, 21, 53. Female, 26, 65. 
LITTLE NIGHT OWL. 
Surnia PASSERINA, Linn . 
PLATE XXIX. 
The specimen from which my drawing of this bird was taken, was pro- 
cured near Pictou in Nova Scotia, by my young friend Thomas M‘Culloch, 
Esq., who assured me that it is not very uncommon there. How far south- 
ward it may proceed in winter I have not been able to ascertain ; nor have I 
ever met with it in any part of the United States. It is also said to be 
abundant in Newfoundland, and not rare in Labrador. My specimen is a 
female, and was shot in winter. 
