July, 1917 WINTER MIGRATION OF 1916-17 IN THE NORTHWEST 127 



The Horned Owl Invasion, as it might be called, extended at least as far 

 south as Portland, Oregon, where pheasant farms in that vicinity have suf- 

 fered severely from their depredations. The main line of flight seems to have 

 been on the Pacific coast side of the Cascade Mountains, as on the east side re- 

 ports do not indicate any very great increase over the usual numbers. Among 

 the many interesting features of the migration of these owls is the fact that at 

 least seventy-five percent of those taken have been females. This was in the 

 vicinity of Tacoma, but it would be desirable to learn from other observers the 

 main route taken by the males, if many of that sex joined in the general migra- 

 tion. Another interesting point is that up to the time of this writing, March 1. 

 none of the birds examined by me showed the least indications of breeding. To 

 say the least this is unusual in Horned Owls at this season of the year. 



[Later. — The most recent horned owl examined was a female taken April 2, 

 1917, which showed not the least signs of breeding. This bird was examined 

 by Mr. Edwards, who reported it to me, and mounted it. Upon comparison it 

 shows a strong tendency towards algistus, although I should not consider it by 

 any means typical, and is undoubtedly one of the horde that has swept down 

 from the far north.] 



Another interesting visiting species, that commenced arriving at about the 

 same time as the above mentioned birds, is the Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea). 

 The first individual recorded in the vicinity was brought in to Mr. Fred Ed- 

 wards, the Tacoma furrier and taxidermist, on November 10, 1916. They be- 

 came very abundant after that date, Mr. Edwards having about thirty of them 

 brought in for mounting. The last record was taken January 25, 1917. Their 

 food supply was about evenly divided between ducks and mammals, the latter 

 represented by mice and rats. I doubt very much if any of the ducks eaten 

 were brought down by the owls, all evidence seeming to show that wounded 

 birds only were taken. In at least one instance an owl seized a duck as it 

 reached the ground after being shot, facing the hunter with great courage as 

 he came to secure his game. It seems probable that this migration started 

 from farther towards the interior than that of the Horned Owls ; for Mr. Bur- 

 ton, in Victoria, reports Snowy Owls as present, but not in great numbers. In 

 Washington they were very abundant at Bellingham in the northwestern part 

 of the state, as reported by Mr. J. M. Edson, of that city. At Kiona, on the east 

 side of the Cascade Mountains, Mr. F. R. Decker reports them as common. 



In a recent letter from Mr. Geo. G. Cantwell, of Puyallup, Washington, 

 dated March 31, 1917, he writes that he has just returned from Dungenes. 

 Washington, where three Snowy Owls were still lingering in the vicinity. Such 

 a late date is unprecedented for these owls in Washington, in my experience, 

 and it will be most interesting if further data on the subject can be obtained. 



Another handsome migrant, which came in numbers for the first time in 

 my experience, was the Goshawk. Although I have had none of the birds iden- 

 tified, such a very wide variation is to be found in both adult and immature 

 specimens that there is hardly room for doubt that both Astur atricapillus 

 airicapilhis and A. a. striatulus are represented. Goshawks seemed about equal- 

 ly numerous on both sides of the Cascades. Barnyard fowls seem to have made 

 up their main food supply, the game farm of Dr. Shaver having contributed its 

 share as usual. He killed one by poisoning a duck, and shot another while it 

 was eating one of his hens. Mr. Edwards reports finding the remains of a rab- 



