tify the curious in the ftudy o f ornithology, by giving them a
figure o f the fcarceft ftrix that is any where to be met with. It
is peculiar , to Lapland, and has been called by Mr. Thunberg
Strix Lapponica. Its fpecific character is as follows:—
“ Strix Lapponica : inauriculata, corpore albido nigro, fafciato,
“ maculatoque.”
I t is larger than the otis, and fmaller than the nySlea o f Lin-
nasus. T h e annexed copper-plate will iupply the place of a de-
fcription: but it deierves to be noticed, that only two ipecimens
o f this bird fluffed, exift at prefent in Europe, and thefe are both
in Sweden. The one in the mufeum at Upfala, is that from which
my drawing was taken ; Mr. Thunberg having politely allowed
me to convey it to my lodgings, that I might copy a likeneis at
my leifure. Very little is known o f the hiftory of this bird. I
have met with it myfelf in Lapland, and even purfued one, but
without fucceis, as they are extremely Ihy, and will not le t men
come near them.
Crows breed in prodigious numbers in Finmark, and in other
parts of Norway, and take their flight in flocks along the fea
Ihore. Theie birds, through cold and hunger, become very tame in
winter ; a t that feafon they hover about the tents o f the Laplanders,
and even venture to come within them, and will pick up
every thing within their reach. Befides thefe, the ravens are very
numerous, and found to be bold and deftruitive, feizing fiih hung
up to dry, and birds taken in ihares, and even attacking iheep, and
plucking out their eyes, or tearing open their bellies.
G g 2 T h e