482 THE SNOWY OWL. __ 
The chamber window looked upon a flat kitchen roof thru which projected 
a brick chimney some ten feet away. At three o'clock one morning a horrible 
nightmare gave way to a still more horrible waking. Murder most foul was 
being committed on the roof just outside the open window, and the shrieks 
of the victims (at least seven of them!) were drowned by the imprecations 
of the attacking party,—fire-eating pirates to the number of a dozen. 
Pandemonium reigned and my bones were liquid with fright—when suddenly 
the tumult ceased; nor could I imagine thru a whole sick day what had been 
the oceasion of the terrifying visitation. But two weeks later the conflict 
was renewed, at a merciful distance this time. Peering out into the moon- 
light I beheld one of these Owls perched upon the chimney of the church 
hard by, gibbering and shrieking like one possessed. Cat-calls, groans, and 
demoniacal laughter were varied by wails and screeches, as of souls in tor- 
ment—an occasion most memorable. The previous serenade had evidently 
been rendered from the kitchen chimney, and I pray never to hear its equal. 
The distribution of the Dusky Horned Owl is still a matter of con- 
siderable uncertainty. It is reported not only from the wooded heights of 
mountain ranges, lying far to southward, but from Labrador as well. 
Whether it is really a single stock which has become so scattered, or whether 
it is only that like conditions have affected diverse stocks in a similar fashion, 
one cannot tell. I have set down those resident birds found upon the east 
slopes of the Cascades as of this form, but a pair found nesting in the 
wooded hills of Stevens County were undoubtedly of the lighter form. 
Horned Owls retire in winter to some extent to lower levels and latitudes. 
Bendire at Walla Walla found the Dusky Owl to be more common at that 
season than the breeding form, B. v. lagophonus. 
No. 195. 
SNOWY OWL. 
A. O. U. No. 376. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.). 
Description.—Adult male: Without plumicorns; entire plumage pure white, 
sometimes almost unmarked, but usually more or less spotted or indistinctly barred 
above with pale brownish or fuscous,—perhaps heaviest on middle of back and 
wing-coverts ; wing-quills and tail feathers irregularly and sparingly spotted with 
dusky ; below still fainter indications of dusky barrings ; legs and feet immaculate, 
heavily feathered; bill and claws black; iris yellow. Adult female: Similar to 
male, but much more heavily barred with brownish black,—only face, fore-breast 
and feet unmarked; top of head and hindneck spotted with dusky. Length 
20.00-27.00 (508-685.8) ; wing 15.50-18.75 (303.7-476-3) ; tail 9.00-10.50 (228.6- 
266.7) ; bill 1.10-1.40 (27.9-35.6). 
