2^2 Deane, U?ius,Hal Abundance of the Sno-vy Owl. \^^ 



the New England coast and along the shores of some of the Great 

 Lakes, they have this season been found in greater numbers 

 than usual some distance back in the interior. 



These large flights seem to occur at intervals of every ten to 

 fifteen years. About ten years previous to my records of 1876 

 there was a large New England flight, and many correspondents 

 advise me that an unusual number were seen and shot in the win- 

 ter of 1892-93. 



As to the causes which influence these large and erratic migra- 

 tions various opinions are expressed. Some observers attribute it 

 to a scarcity of their accustomed food, others believe they follow 

 in the wake of an unusual abundance of the regular migratory 

 species on which they prey. 



I have corresponded quite extensively with many observers and 

 I gladly take this occasion to express my thanks to all for their 

 courteous replies and interesting information, and take pleasure 

 in quoting from their letters. 



Newfoundland. 



Judge Prowse of St. Johns, Newfoundland, writes under date of 

 March 25, 1902 : "The Snowy Owl is a constant visitor in winter, 

 but not very numerous about this part of the island. On the 

 northeast coast, near the Straits of Belle Isle, they have been very 

 numerous this winter ; a great many have been shot and the 

 fishermen have been living on them." 



Nova Scotia. 



Mr. Harry Piers of Halifax, N. S., advises me under date of 

 March 21, 1902, that the Snowy Owls had not been reported as 

 abundant around Halifax, and he had known of only about ten 

 specimens having been received by the taxidermists. 



New Brunswick. 



Mr, George Y. Dalzell, keeper of the Swallowtail Light Station 

 at Grand Manan, N. B., writes me under date of February 22, 



