S. nyctra, Lin. &c. ; Candida, Lath. Snowy, Hrrinit, or Great White Owl. Snow-white, spotted with black ; bill black ; irides yellow. The head is less in proportion than that of other owls. The whole plumage is of a snowy whiteness, sometimes pure, but more frequently marked with dusky spots. The full grown bird measures about two feet in length, and in size nearly equals the preced ing; but the weight is said to vary from one and a half to three pounds. It sustains, throughout the year, the ut most rigour of the northern regions, being very common in Hudson's Bay, Norway, and Lapland, and shrinking not from the accumulations of ice in the centre of Green land. In America, it seldom strays so low as Pennsylva nia or Louisiana. It abounds in Kamtschatka; but is scarce in Prussia, becomes more common on the Uralian ridges, all over the north and cast of Siberia, and even in the hot latitude of Astrachan. It is not uncommon in Iceland ; and has, of late years, been observed, though sparingly, in one or two of the Shetland and Orkney islands. It preys on grouse, hares, rabbits, carrion, &c. nestles in craggy rocks, or old pines, and lays two white round eggs, which, according to Vieillot, are spotted with black. Its cry has been compared to that of a man in deep distress. Among the Kalmuc Tartars, it is deemed a crime to kill one of them, because they are considered to be the oracles of good or bad fortune, according as they fly to the right or to the left.
S. passerina, Lin. &c. Pygnzea, of Bechstein. Pas serine, or Little Owl. Sub-olivaceous brown, with whi tish spots above ; whitish, with brown spots beneath ; wing-feathers barred with white; irides yellow. About the size of the missel thrush, but varies considerably in dimensions, as from six to eight and a half inches in length. It is also subject to diversity in the cast. of its colours, and in the hues of the iris. The feet are feath ered to the claws. It resides throughout the year in North America, from Hudson's Bay to New York, fre quenting the pine forests, building its nest half-way up a tree, and laying from two to six roundish eggs, spotted with yellow and white. It is frequent in Russia, but less so in Siberia ; and in some. parts of Greece it is migrato ry, appearing in great numbers early in April, and, after breeding, retiring with the storks. In Italy, it is used for the purpose of decoying small birds to limed twigs. It is rare in France, and still more so in England, though sometimes found in Yorkshire, Flintshire, Devonshire, and the neighbourhood of London. In Carniola it builds in chimneys, and in some other countries in the holes of rocks and walls. It is an elegant species, and the small
est of our British owls ; naturally shy and solitary, keep ing close for the most part in its retreat during the day, but very active in catching mice, Sac. during the night.
S. scons, Lin. &c.; Zorca and Carniolica, Gmel.; Zorca and Giu, Lath. Scotts Eared, or Scotts Horned Owl. Grey brown, with sub-ferruginous and black variegations above, and grey, with black variegations beneath ; the tail crossed by four narrow white bands, and the feet feather ed to the toes. From six to eight inches long, and scarce ly exceeding the size of a quail, being of a short and thick form, but variable both in its dimensions and in the sha ding of its plumage. The auricular plumes, which Linne represents as only one on each side, are in reality composed of six on each side; but being only six or se ven lines in length, they are sometimes inconspicuous, and, in the dead bird, they are net easily discerned.
This species is a native of the warmer and more tempe rate parts of Europe, and of a roaming disposition. In the department of the Vosges, in France, it arrives in spring, in bands, sometimes consisting of several hun dreds, and retires again in autumn. The inhabitants, in stead of hailing its appearance as the harbinger of the fine season, and a pledge of the destruction of the moles, rats, and mice, with which their fields would otherwise be over run, regard it with superstitious apprehensions, and seem to be afraid even of its harmless cry. In Italy, its favour ite residence is in gentle wooded acclivities. During the day, it continues in the shade of woods, perched mo tionless on the branch of a tree, and with its ear-tufts erected, in which state it will permit a very near approach before it retires to hide itself afresh. Towards the dusk of evening, it emerges from its retreat, perches on a tree in some open spot, and begins its cry, which consists of a quick and often repeated whistle, somewhat like the word Without constructing any nest, it deposits from two to six white eggs in the hollows of trees, or the fis sures of rocks. The young are fully fledged by the be ginning of July, when they follow theirparents during the night for fond, until they are able to provide for them selves, and to pursue insects and the minuter quadrupeds. In Italy, they remain till October, when they are in their plumpest state, and were it not for their disagreeable smell, would be reckoned delicate eating.
Other species, of a diminutive size, have been particu larized, but not with sufficient distinctness to detain us.