Remsen, J.V. 1974 Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca Jan.6 Pt.Reyes, Marin Co, Calif: 1 about 2 miles north of North Beach parking lot about 100 yards into the dunes from beach, sitting on row of fence posts. Russell Greenberg and I spotted it from the parking lot. It only showed up as a speck at that distance but we were certain it was an owl. After a 40+ minute walk, we came within 100 feet before it flew. It was a fantastically beautiful bird, especially in such appropriate habitat — undisturbed sand dunes. The bird was alert the entire time, but generally ignored us until we got within 200 feet. Jan.30 Bodega Marine Lab, Sonoma Co., Calif: 1 about 1 mile north of Lab on state beach property in grass-covered sand dunes 500 yards inland from beach — very similar habitat to North Beach at Pt. Reyes where Jan.6 bird was found. This bird was much, much darker than the Jan.6 bird or any that I saw in Alaska. There was dark barring over the entire bird except the pure white facial disks. This made the bird relatively inconspicuous unless it was facing you. The bird was flushed towards us and flew to within 50 feet before veering to the side, affording fantastic views of the incredible checkleed pattern on the wings and breast made by the dense barring. The bird was observed apparently gular fluttering several times — the bill was open and the area on the face below the bill was moving in and out at about 2/second. — could it have been too warm for this well-insulated Arctic species? The bird was fairly wary, flushing at about 100 feet. At about 1800 the bird closed its eyes and opened them only when it was approached and flushed. This bird was found today by people at the Marine Lab.