The two cardinals mentioned in _Oregon Birds: general reference_
from Cottage Grove were unequivocal escapes. I spent my formative
birding years in Cottage Grove and the Mt David cardinals were
legendary, we even new which house they came from....

If there are, indeed, photos, I presume someone "official" has
confirmed their identity. If not someone should, original
questionable or not. The number reported is problematic.

House Finches, Purple Finches, Western Tanagers, Black-headed
Grosbeaks, even Pileated Woodpeckers have all be reported as
cardinals by well intentioned novices....

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

I'm not jealous or
Why I've never Seen Black-throated Blue Warbler in Oregon
http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/004174.html