THE SNOWY OWL Nyctea scandiaca (Linnæus) The Arctic regions both in summer and winter form the home of this large and handsome species, though many wander southwards during the winter months. In the Shetlands and Orkneys it is a fairly regular winter visitor during severe weather, and it has frequently occurred in Scotland; to England and Ireland, however, its visits are few and far between. The plumage is pure white, spotted and barred with dark brown, the amount of which varies greatly in individuals. Length of male 22 in.; wing 15·5 in. The female is slightly larger. THE HAWK OWL Surnia funerea (Linnæus) The Hawk Owl inhabits the pine forests of Northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. It has occurred here as a straggler on several occasions, the majority of examples having been shot in the western counties of England and Scotland, and belonging curiously enough to the American race, which has the bars of the under parts more ruddy than the European form. This latter form has, however, also been obtained on at least one occasion. The upper parts are brown, spotted with white; under parts white barred with greyish or reddish brown. Its most characteristic feature is the tail, which is long and graduated, barred and tipped with white. Length about 15 in.; tail 7·5 in.; wing 9·2 in. THE SCOPS OWL Scops giu (Scopoli) A migratory species, wintering in Abyssinia and Northern Africa, and breeding in Southern Europe, the Scops Owl has occurred as a straggler to our islands a good many times. The general colour is grey, barred and vermiculated with brown; it has two conspicuous ear tufts. The female slightly exceeds the male in size. Length, male, 7·5 in.; wing 5·8 in. THE EAGLE OWL Bubo ignavus, T. Forster This large and fine species has been obtained several times in England and Scotland, but though some of the instances are undoubtedly those of genuine wanderers, it is so often kept in captivity that several occurrences must be looked upon as those of escaped birds. It is widely distributed throughout the wilder districts of Europe, both in forest and open country, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. The general colour is dark brown, mottled with brownish buff above, and yellowish brown streaked with darker below. The female is larger than the male. Length of male 24 in.; wing 18 in. THE GRIFFON VULTURE Gyps fulvus (J. F. Gmelin)