ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 



25 



actual behavior and that which 

 was anticipated by the owner, 

 whose memories of encounters 

 with a savage Horned Owl and 

 obstinate specimens of other 

 owl species, had led him to 

 protect his hands with a par- 

 ticularly invulnerable outfit. 

 The actual behavior is well 

 illustrated by the photograph 

 which shows the bird sitting 

 peacefully on the bare hand of 

 Mr. Goelitz, who participated 

 in the photographing activities. 

 Friend Owl seems not only to 

 tolerate, but actually to enjoy 

 human companionship, and, if 

 brought up to the sitting room 

 after its evening meal, will sit 

 on its perch by the hour with- 

 out making any disturbance, 

 although entirely unrestrained. 

 Frank Smith, Urbana. 



Photo by G. A. Eldredge 



The Snowy Owl in Illinois 



A limited number of Snowy Owls probably occur in Illinois every 

 winter, but unusual incursions visit us only at irregular periods. We 

 used to think that very severe cold was the cause of large southern 

 migrations, but it is now generally conceded that the scarcity of food 

 is the more logical cause. In 1905 they were abundant in the Northern 

 counties of Illinois, the earliest record being Oct. 31\ and by December 

 9th, I had examined twenty-eight specimens received by two taxi- 

 dermists in Chicago, principally from Illinois. Later investigation 

 brought records as far south as Albion, 111., and St. Louis, Mo. 2 

 The past winter of 1917-18 these beautiful birds have again been 

 quite abundant. While I have not made any extended investiga- 

 tion over this section of country, I have known of several received 

 by Chicago taxidermists, and an unusual flight has been reported from 

 Iowa. Another large flight of Goshawks has been reported from 

 different states, and Great Horned Owls have been very abundant. 

 One taxidermist in Toronto has received about forty specimens. 

 'Auk Vol. XXIII, 1906, P. 101. 

 2 Auk Vol. XXIII, 1906, P. 298. 



RUTHVEN DEANE. 



