Spooks and sprites had the streets pretty much to themselves last night, as few pranksters turned out for Hallowe'en.

The city's quietness surprised Cambridge police, who laid the cause to the 9:30 p.m. curfew for children under 16, and the vigilance of 50 Boy Scouts who patrolled fire alarm boxes.

'Poon Buffaloed

But the Lampoon and the Union played unwilling parts in a pre-Hallowe'en prank yesterday morning. At about 7:30 a.m., police found a bison head on the steps of the 'Poon building.

The trophy was taken to headquarters and put in a cell. Later, the Union reported a missing bison head, and University police soon returned the animal to its wall.

Last night, however, was punctured only by an occasional shattered window, and the cries of gamins running through the Yard and Houses collecting treats. Hallowe'en wore a muffler and walked in stocking feet through Cambridge last night.