8 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



Owxs 

 The outstanding fact regarding owls during the past month is the preva- 

 lence of barred owls over all the New England States. Taxidermists have 

 received numbers. They are believed to have killed a few ruffed grouse 

 that escaped the gunners. Only nine snowy owls have been reported to 

 this office from New England during the month. Horned owls have moved 

 slowly down from the north in small numbers until they have reached 

 Rhode Island, and the shores of Connecticut, but no such flight as that 

 of last year has appeared as yet. Both light and dark phases have been 

 taken. Long-eared owls have been reported only from Canada. A few 

 screech owls have been noted since Nov. 15. 



Grosbeaks 



Pine grosbeaks arrived in large numbers in northern Vermont Nov. 4, 

 and more have arrived each week. They have been increasing in numbers 

 from Maine to Massachusetts since Nov. 15, in small groups and little 

 flocks, but since Dec. 1 they have become scattered over much of New- 

 England, and flocks of at least 40 or 50 birds have been seen. They 

 appeared first in the higher lands of the western and northern counties, 

 and now have been reported from every county except Bristol, Dukes and 

 Nantucket. Possibly they may become much more numerous in January, 

 and they should be looked for throughout New England. They vary con- 

 siderably in both size and color. Numbers of red males have come already 

 in two or three shades of plumage. They appear to be very tame and con- 

 fiding. A few occurrences of the evening grosbeak were recorded last 

 month in Massachusetts, and it was remarked tentatively that many more 

 might aopear this winter. Many more already have appeared, and if they 

 find sufficient food here, it is probable that their numbers may increase 

 still more later in the winter and toward spring. These birds have begun 

 to come in more rapidly since Dec. 1, a flock seen at Bangor, Maine, con- 

 tained over 50 birds, but thev are not yet as numerous or as widely scat- 

 tered in New England as is the pine grosbeak. At London, Ontario, pine, 

 evening and cardinal grosbeaks are noted. 



Redpolls 



Prince Edward Island reports large flocks of redpolls. They are now 

 numerous and in large flocks in many parts of Maine, where they have been 

 abundant since early in November. Large flocks of lesser redpolls were 

 seen in northern Vermont Dec. 4. No considerable flight has yet reached 

 Massachusetts, but since about the middle of November they have begun 

 to move in on our higher lands. A few more have been reported since 

 December came in, including a flock of about 75 at Worcester Dec. 8. 

 If severe weather comes on in the north we may yet have a large flight, as 

 they will find food here in the numerous birch and alder catkins now hang- 

 ing on the trees. g^^^ Buntings and Longspurs 



Since the first flight of snow buntings, which reached its maximum on 

 the coast about Nov. 13, only a few flocks have been reported from Massa- 

 chusetts. The early birds probably came from the southern part of the 

 breeding range. Large flocks are now reported from Maine, and we may 

 have many here in January if deep snow comes. Longspurs have been re- 

 ported but once this month on the coast in Pljmiouth County, near the head 

 of Buzzards Bay, Dec. 1. 



