38 



if they had been present in former years, were either not observed or 

 not recorded. These birds are native to the arctic regions only and 

 are never seen so far south unless there is a shortage in their usual 

 food supply in their regular haunts. The owls found inhabiting the 

 bergs this season were supplied bountifully with the sea birds com- 

 mon to the regions comprising the Grand Banks. 



The most vital thing in making the ice patrol of real value to ship- 

 ping is radiotelegraphy. Here, as in previous years, the most gratify- 

 ing cooperation was had from ship and shore stations. The communi- 

 cation personnel and apparatus of the ice patrol again proved equal to 

 the task. Every effort should be continued to keep the radio material 

 of the patrol vessels abreast with the progress of this most beneficial 

 science. The magnitude and importance of the communication work 

 of the patrol can be grasped in part by a study of the following figures: 



Number of routine broadcasts transmitted 380 



(At the height of the ice season these messages averaged about 300 

 words each.) 



Number of official messages to Washington 348 



Ice and other information given to vessels on request 113 



Water temperature and weather reports sent in by vessels 6, 534 



Total number of vessels cooperating with the patrol 489 



Number of ice and obstruction reports received by radio 644 



Number of times medical treatment was given by radio 4 



Violations of steamship track agreements reported 2 



Total number of words transmitted and received by radio 450, 460 



