TIIK SNOWY OWL. 
That a remarkable and apparently uncommon species of owl 
was to be met with in various parts of Shetland, especially in 
the northern districts, had been suspected for some years pre- 
viously by Dr Arthur Edmondston, who, having but few 
opportunities of visiting the particular localities, instituted 
inquiries among the residents ; but, as he himself asserted, his 
efforts were either accidentally or intentionally baffled, the 
only information he could obtain being that the bird in 
question was “merely the common White Owl.” Eelying 
upon this, he completed his “View of the Zetland Islands” 
without making any allusion to the now well-known Surnia 
nyctea^ which, however, was recognised and fully described very 
shortly afterw^ards. 
From all that can be ascertained by questioning the most 
trustworthy of the inhabitants, it is evident that the Snowy 
Owl may be very scarce for several years, and yet during a 
following series of years be of such frequent occurrence as to be 
almost abundant, — a statement which my own observations 
seem to confirm. Writing to the “Zoologist” in 1863, I made 
the following remarks:- — “Although at that time (1811) the 
species was far from being numerous, it has now become even 
less frequent, as well as rather irregular in its visits, two or 
three years sometimes elapsing without its appearance, while 
at other times two or three individuals appear almost simultane- 
ously. Formerly it used to be met with among these islands, 
especially in Unst and Yell, at all seasons of the year ; but of 
late it has been observed only between autumn and the end of 
spring, and then usually after a north-east or north-west wind. 
On referring to my note-books, I find the earliest instance of 
its arrival dated October 17th, the latest April 30th (1863).” 
Since that date, however, up to the present time, not one 
year has passed without several, sometimes many individuals, 
having come under ray notice ; not confining their visits to any 
particular season, but appearing frequently during the summer 
months, which were omitted in the above account. The island 
of TJnst must certainly present some irresistible attraction to 
