1 



202 Deane, Unusual Abundance of the Sno-vv Oxvl. 1"^^'' 



LJuly 



this winter, there must have been a very large migration tlirough 

 this section. I liave received eighteen specimens between Decem- 

 ber 19, 1901, and March 7, 1902. One of the number was sent 

 from Winnipeg, December 27, 1901, the sender reporting them 

 abundant in Manitoba. I have been engaged in taxidermy here 

 for ten years, and during that time have not received a single 

 specimen before. Four fiftlis of the number were females. The 

 stomachs of those which I examined contained the remains of 

 mice and red squirrels." 



Mr. Robert Elliott of Bryanston, Ont., under date of March 4, 

 1902, writes me that the first Snowy Owl appeared about January 

 22, 1902, the weather being clear and cold at the time. The 

 specimen remained on a grass farm until February 15, frequently 

 perching on the barn for an hour at a time. A few other speci- 

 mens Avere seen in January and February. Mr. Elliott also states 

 that a Mr. Owens, taxidermist, living near Mooresville, Middlesex 

 County, received and mounted twenty-two specimens during the 

 winter, and commented on the fact that thirteen years ago he pre- 

 pared exactly the same number, not having handled a single speci- 

 men in the interim. Mr. Elliott says that he is not aware that 

 any of the stomachs were examined for food, but that the first 

 specimen he saw spent three weeks near the carcass of a dead 

 horse in the woods. He also states that the past winter has been 

 remarkable for the number and variety of birds observed. 



Mr, William E. Saunders of London, Ont., writes me under date 

 of February 22, 1902, that there has been an extraordinary num- 

 ber of Snowy Owls in western Ontario this season, but their 

 distribution seems to be quite local. At London none were seen. 

 At Rondeau, where there is an extensive marsh on the lake shore, 

 southwest of London, several have been taken, and they are not 

 uncommon there every winter. At Watford, forty miles west of 

 London, three were taken, while twenty miles north, in Biddulph 

 township, a taxidermist was said, on good authority, to have 

 received twenty specimens. 



Michigan. 



Mr. W. H. Kress of Elk Rapids, Michigan, writes under date of 

 April II, 1902, that he had received and mounted during the 



