His aspect is anything but ferocious — benevolent, rather — and he looks for all the world like some patriarchal gnome disturbed at his slumbers, yet not resentful. We vote him handsome at the first breath, and admiration grows as we dwell upon the sleekness, the mellow rotundity, and the exquisite harmony of the figure, and especially of the costume before us.
W.L. Dawson, Birds of California vol 3, Spotted Owl








