IOWA BIRD LIFE ) PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE { IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION \ VOL. XX SEPTEMBER. 1950 NO. 3 OFFICERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION President— Ralph W. Johnson, Ames, Iowa Vice-President— John Paul Moore, Newton, Iowa Sec’y-Treas — Miss Lillian Serbousek, 1226 Second St S.W.. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Librarian— Dr. J, Harold Ermis, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon. Iowa Editor — Fred J Pierce, Winthrop, Iowa Executive Council: Fred T. Hall, Davenport, Iowa George E. Crossley, Farley, Iowa Mrs. Myrle L. Jones, Boone, Iowa The Iowa Ornithologist*’ Union was organized at Ames, Iowa, February 28, 1922, for the study and protection of native birds and to promote fraternal re- lations among Iowa bird students. The central design of the Union's official seal is the Eastern Goldfinch, desig- nated State Bird of Iowa in 1933. Publication* of the Union: Mimeographed letters, 1923-1928; ‘The Bulletin.’ 1929-193D : "Iowa Bird Life,’ beginning 1931. I SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $1.00 a year. Single copies 25c each. Subscription to the magazine is included in all paid memberships, > of which there are four classes, as follows: Contributing Mem- = ber, $10.00 a year; Supporting Member, $3,00 a year; Regular Mem- > ber. $1.00 a year; Junior Member < under 16 years of agel. 50c a year. EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION OFFICE WINTHROP, IOWA Entered a* aecond-elass matter February 9. 1932. at the post office at Winthrop, Iowa, under the Act of March 3, 18'J9. IOWA BIRD LIFE— XX. 1950 54 THE END OF A PERFECT BIRDING DAY By CHARLES A. STEWART NEW ALBIN. IOWA A little lake among the sloughs of the Mississippi, hidden deep in the woodlands— a bird picture from the warm and humid south — such was the picture that brought to an end a perfect birding day, late in the afternoon of September 10. 1949. Upon arising that morning I felt possessed with the spirit of discovery of the early French voyageurs, I must find a place where I had never been. Incidently this desire may have been prompted by the hope of seeing a Snowy Egret or a Little Blue Heron, birds that I had looked for all through the summer without success. I was alone in my boat with only my outboard motor for a companion. Starling from a point in Minnesota and travelling south along the sloughs for about six miles into Iowa, I investigated the small bays and lakes as I travel- ed. This took up most of the morning. Late in the afternoon I came to a bay. I knew this bay as a good location for herons. It was well populated with egrets and Great Blues. A noteworthy observation was the large num- bers of Great Blue Herons seen in immature plumage, indicating breeding reasonably close. At the end of this bay was what appeared to be a narrow creek entering the woods. Again the spirit of the voyageur acted — I must see where this creek led. Pushing the boat stern first, in order to see the birds rising in front. I entered,, Here I picked up my guide. He was a little Green Heron that persisted in flying in front of the boat in jumps of 30 feet from one overhanging branch to another. At first he was not excited, sitting with his head between his shoulders, but as I followed he began extending his neck and raising his crest, meanwhile talking to me with a series of clucks. Progress was slow. Several times I had to lie on my back to push the boat under the branches of a fallen tree. After a quarter-mile of this kind of travel an open place appealed in the trees and here was the 'Little Lake of the Herons'* well hidden in the woods. Peering through the branches of the arched trees, I saw a vista of Florida — a small, round lake of about 30 acres, almost covered with the large trop- ical-appearing leaves of the American lotus. A band of bare earth surround- ed the lake. Beyond this was a 200-foot rush and arrowhead swamp and then the deep green of the forest. Standing in the shallow water of the lake were many herons — a pattern of white blotched with blue gray — the Ameri- can Egret and the Great Blue Heron. On a tree about 60 feet from my hiding place were two Black-crowned Night Herons, one in adult plumage and one in immature. On the band of bare earth were many white spots teeter- ing up and down with here and there a darker spot that bobbed, the Spotted Sandpipers in their new fall white vest and one or two Solitary Sandpipers. At the far end of the lake were three Wood Ducks contentedly paddling around. Overhead a pair of Turkey Vultures lazily circled, their bare red heads emphasizing the impression of the southland, The harsh, screeching "ker-yoo” of the Red-shouldered Hawk as it circled over the trees penetrated this scene of quiet. So close to my hiding place that it was startling, came the hooting of a Barred Owl, and at the far end of the swamp flew a Marsh Hawk, For more than an hour I sat still and watched this idyl of nature. While watching six Blue-winged Teal, a Mallard flew into the lake. To disturb this scene so emblematic of one of nature's moods, when peace and quiet predom- inate, would seem a sacrilege, but the thought that scanning the lake with l SUBSPECIES AND BIRD WATCHING my glasses might disclose a Snowy Egret or Little Blue among the numerous herons, caused me to push my boat into the lake. Then occurred the explosion. The Black-crowned Night Herons left their perch, the Barred Owl flew from the tree at the edge of the lake into the deeper woods, the ducks took flight and the Great Blue Herons started a squawking flight around the lake. The egrets, which are not nervous birds, looked up in surprise. The noise and excitement was too much for them and they joined the circling flight and added their squawks to the noise. This was also too much for me, and since I did not find a Snowy Egret or Little Blue among the herons. I left the little lake to settle back into its accustomed quietude. I went out through the twisted creek by which I enter- ed. Again I had my guide, the little Green Heron that flew before me to the bay. The name of this woodland lake I know not. It is probably Mud Lake. Bullhead Lake or some other equally prosaic name. To me it will remain "The Little Lake of the Herons” nestled in the woods. I enjoy the memory of this scene that was like a breath from the southland transported to north- east Iowa. SUBSPECIES AND BIRD WATCHING By PHILIP A. DU MONT WASHINGTON. D. C. Two recent articles in Icwa Bird Life . Species names have now been in use in reporting Christmas Bird Counts for the past two years. Hereafter, all field observations will be re- corded in "Audubon Field Notes” using species names unless there is suf- ficient basis for attaching the subspecific name in parenthesis directly fol- lowing. To facilitate such a practise, a list of common names for species of North American birds was presented by Dr. Aldrich, Many of these have been tentatively accepted for use in the next A.O.U. Check-List, while the remainder, as yet unapproved, will probably prove acceptable by the time the Check -List is issued. The use of common species names should be encouraged by the adoption in all state bird journals of an editorial policy, such as was presented by Dr. Aldrich. Such a policy would eliminate completely the hypothetical problem presented independently by Messrs. Feeney and Youngworth, It would further simplify recording field observations of perplexing Juncos (Iowa Bird Life, Vol. 19. pp, 72-73), by limiting the possible species to the Slate-colored, Oregon, Gray-headed, or White- winged Juncos. Sight records of the Shufeldt’s, Mon- tana, Pink-sided and Oregon Juncos would all be lumped as Oregon Juncos, My "Revised List of the Birds of Iowa" is a publication that places prin- cipal emphasis on subspecies. In its defense, I should like to point out that it is a distributional list, rather than a popular guide; that identification of all but 5 of the 365 species and subspecies were based upon specimens (Wilson Bull. Vo. 47, pp. 205-208 1 ; and until recently common species names were un- available. The identification of specimens for subspecific determination in map- ping breeding, migrant, and winter ranges should continue to be a responsi- bility of museum technicians. Whenever appropriate these findings should be included in "Iowa Bird Life." Bird watching is fun. In most persons it arouses an interest to under- stand bird migration, feeding and nesting requirements, and measures by which these creatures may be protected, Iowa has already lost some of her most imposing species. The Passenger Figeon, Wild Turkey, Paroquet, Whoop- FROM THE OBSERVER S NOTEBOOK 57 ing Crane, Trumpeter Swan, the Kites and Eskimo Curlew are all gone. The Prairie Chicken may be gone as a breeder. Others will follow unless an in- formed public fights for parks, sanctuaries, and protection by regulations. The goal of every bird watcher should be to gain knowledge that will permit an intelligent and firm stand in behalf of wildlife, and to exercise such rights whenever programs of endangerment are proposed. Consideration of wild- life values should be demanded before any impoundment, drainage or clear- ing plans are approved. No park or sanctuary has been established, no bird or animal saved from extinction, or conservation measure enacted without a fight. To this end, bird watchers do have a responsibility. FROM THE OBSERVER'S NOTEBOOK By WILLIAM YOUNGWORTH SIOUX CITY. IOWA ON THE GOSHAWK Many years ago, while living on a homestead in the Laramie Mountains of Wyoming, I had numerous interesting experiences with birds, one of which is given below. As I was working down a small stream, trying to catch enough brook trout for a meal, a dark form hurtled by my head and struck at some object on the ground a short distance in front of me. Amid a great flopping of wings, I discerned a large hawk tearing the life from a good sized bird. I hurried forward and as I did so, a large Goshawk disengaged its beak and talons from an adult Blue Grouse, and flew to a limb about 20 feet away, from which perch it eyed me without fear. I reached down, picked up the dying grouse and started to walk toward the hawk. The hawk didn't budge and watched me with baleful eyes as I walked under its perch. Fearing an attack, 1 dropped the grouse and began to wave my arms and shout. This was too much for the Goshawk and it flew to another tree, but continued to watch me until I moved around a bend in the creek and out of sight. A BLACKBIRD FLIGHT One November, the observer was attending an important football game in the Morningside College stadium at Sioux City, when his attention to the thrilling action was distracted by a small flock of Red-winged Black- birds winging over the playing field from northeast to southwest. This first flock was but the vanguard of a long, thin flock of blackbirds. Seldom was the flock wider than 25 or 30 feet, but it seemed endless. The continuous flock of birds wound its sinuous way over head, and they would veer to right or left and dip and lift much as a long black ribbon would perform in a breeze. The flight continued for nearly L5 minutes and was practically unbroken, as thousands of blackbirds passed over on the way south. The spectacle had been so unusual I lost track of the progress of the football game, and had to ask someone what the score was. MOURNING DOVE NOTES The Mourning Dove is often quite a late nester and it is not unusual to see them feeding young in the fall. The latest nesting date I have in my files is an incubating bird on September 4. Incidentally several Blue Jays were observed harassing the female dove and trying to chase her from her nest so they could get the eggs. Through the years. I have recorded quite a list of birds which sang during the night. I heard my first night-singing Mourning Dove last year. On the nights of August 4 and 5, 1949, under a full moon, a male Mourning Dove gave his full song or call from about 10 p.m. to II p m. IOWA BIRD LIFE — XX. 195U f>K Occasionally one reads that a bird’s nest is used by the young birds only during the nidification period and they never return to it. This is probably true in most cases. Over a period of many years of observation, I have noted only one exception. During August, 1948, we watched a pair of doves raise their young in a nest just a few feet from an upstairs window. Late one afternoon the two young doves became restless. They did considerable wing flopping and stretching. Finally the bolder of the two took off on his first flight. It flew rather well and landed in a pear tree about 25 feet from the nest. The second bird was more timid and left the nest by way of the pedestrian's route; it merely walked away from the nest, out along a branch for 4 or 5 feet. The other bird had meanwhile become tired of its perch and flew to the roof of a nearby tool-shed. It was now get- ting dusk and I watched carefully. Suddenly the flying dove took off from the roof and flew directly to the nest where it settled down. This was a signal to the walking dove, which proceeded to walk down the branch, climb into the nest and settle beside its nest mate for the night. Next morning the two young doves flew from the nest and stayed down in the garden all day. Toward evening both of them flew back to the nest but did not settle on it; they sat right beside it. After the second night they didn’t roost near their old nest, although they were seen about the yard for several weeks, ON THE FALL KINGBIRD MIGRATION I have witnessed many fall flights of the Kingbird, but none quite as complete as during the fall of 1949, Very early on the morning of August 25, I saw the start of the fall flight. For the next five hours I stayed out to watch the event. The Kingbirds usually flew over in family or two- family groups, but quite often a loose flock went over; these contained from 40 to nearly 100 birds. During the course of the morning many thousands of Kingbirds flew over in a general southwesterly direction. The flight of the Kingbird in fall migration has been described in the literature many times, but no mention is made of the actual feeding habits of the species while in migration. Most bird students have noticed that various species of swallows, Chimney Swift, Nighthawk and Franklin’s Gull, all break their flight at intervals to gulp down a choice insect morsel. The Kingbirds are different, for their flight is direct, purposeful and they proceed at a good, steady pace — very much unlike the rather dashing, jerky flight which they use while summering with us. In fact, if one doesn’t look sharply at distant Kingbirds, they can easily be mistaken for migrating Robins. On only two occasions in all the time I have watched migrating Kingbirds, have I observed them to break flight for an instant to grab at an insect, even one that almost hit them head-on. The Kingbird apparently makes long flights before breaking ranks to feed, and then resumes its flight to Panama, where this species winters. It is also apparent that the Kingbirds leave their nesting areas in a body and make their flight out of the country with no delay. Other species often linger for weeks as they pass through the Middlewest, but not so with the Kingbird, From August 26 to 31 we did not see a single Kingbird in this area. On the later date, while making a 300-mile drive through northwest Iowa, we saw only three Kingbirds on the entire trip. This shows quite conclusively that the species leaves in a group, with only a few stragglers remaining. Extremely cold weather occurred in northwest Iowa in August. 1949, with temperatures down to freezing. This probably accounted for the earlier-than-usual departure of the Kingbirds, as wanderers usually are found during the first two weeks of September. FALL MEETING AT THE LEDGES j<> CATALPA TREE AS A SOURCE OF BIRD FOOD Several years ago the late Dr. T. C. Stephens published a note in "Iowa Eird Life" on the catalpa seed as a food of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. This article led me to observe the catalpa tree more closely. It is not un- usual to find Downy Woodpeckers pounding away at the long pendant seed pods during the long winters. They no doubt extract many larvae Balti- more Orioles are occasionally seen pecking into the partially open ends of the seed pods. Close watch with binoculars will show that they are pulling out small worms. During April, 1949, a flock of Purple Finches stayed in the neighborhood for several weeks. Although they fed mostly in a white ash tree and on the ground under it, they were also seen feeding under a catalpa tree. Close observation revealed that they were busily shucking the thin flat catalpa seeds which had fallen from the seed pods and covered the ground. The Cardinal also readily partakes of the seed of the catalpa. On many occasions it has been seen to separate the twin-lobed catalpa seed from its silky sheath and eat it with gusto. Their favorite feeding place is under the mulberry hedge. They are safe here and little windrows of the seeds are often piled up by the winter winds for their convenience. FLICKERS VERSUS CATBIRDS During the late summer of 1949. we enjoyed a friendly battle for pos- session of a dogwood tree, between a family of Flickers and a family of Catbirds, The Catbirds were not too choosy and w r ould feed on the red fruit of nearby pink honeysuckle, but when the flickers were not around they would move over into the dogwood and eat the ripening fruit there. Several Flickers would arrive at once, and with much clumsy flopping would finally find perches on the slender branches then proceed to stuff themselves on the milky berries. The commotion was always too much for the Catbirds, which retired to the honeysuckles to feed, or to the ground where they gleaned the fallen dogwood berries constantly dropping from the agitation above. On only two occasions did I actually see the Flickers alight in the honeysuckles and eat a berry or two; they wanted only the dogwood berries. The final result was, the flickers cleaned all the fruit from the dogwood tree and left the yard. The Catbirds stayed around for a month or more and fed on the honeysuckle berries. The catbirds fared equally well on either berry, but the Flickers cared for only fhe dogwood berries. When the dogwoods were gone they moved to other sources of food. THE FALL MEETING AT LEDGES STATE PARK On Sunday. September 24, Iowa Ornithologists’ Union members and their fi lends were entertained by Mr. and Mrs, Myrle L. Jones, in Ledges State Park, near Boone. The occasion was the fourth fall meeting of our Union, al- though as in the past it was an informal get-together of old friends and bird students. No one had a large bird list, but everyone had a fine day of visit- ing and roaming through the park. It was a beautiful fall day. following a clear, cool night with a heavy frost. Guests began arriving at the Jones home in early forenoon and most of them were there by noon. Nine had come the night before. One member. Dr. Christensen of Spencer, came by airplane. Park Custodian Jones provided tables on the front lawn* where an un- usually fine cooperative luncheon was made up from the various baskets brought by members. Mashed potatoes, creamed chicken and coffee, furnish- ed by Mrs. Jones, supplemented the meal. Although 7.000 to 9,000 people were in the Ledges park that day, our meeting at the custodian's residence was well separated from the crowds. Trips were made to the historic Kate Shelley Railroad Bridge near the ghost town GO IOWA BIRD LIFE— XX, 1950 of Moingona, and in the afternoon a long drive was taken through the rolling, wooded country surrounding the Ledges. It was a scenic drive, for the trees were assuming their fall colors. Myrle. well known as an enthusiastic bird-bander, was running his bird traps, and many members enjoyed a first-hand look at the traps, water-sets and Myrle’s banding methods. During the day he banded Catbirds, Indigo Buntings, Chickadees and an Orange-crowned Warbler. The last bird was a good subject for identification. Several names for it were suggested, until the identifying clues were pointed out. The evening lunch was eaten on the Jones lawn, while a little official business was transacted. The site of the spring convention was discussed, with Spirit Lake tentatively chosen as a meeting place. Mr. and Mrs. John Paul Moore invited the Union to Newton for the fall meeting in 1951. It was voted to accept this invitation. With the approach of darkness, the group of bird lovers began wending their way over the hills of the Ledges and out onto the broader highways which led to homes in widely separated sections of Iowa. We appreciated the amount of work Mr. and Mrs. Jones did in order to entertain us. This was one of our finest fall meetings— fourth in the series of fall meetings that now seem to be established as part of the activities of our organization. — F, J. P. Attendance Register. — AMES, Mrs, Floyd Andre, Jacqueline Andre, Grace Augustine, Betty Cruzen, Dr. Paul Errington, Julia Faltinson, Dr, and Mrs. Geo, Hendrickson. Mr, and Mrs. R. W. Johnson, Mr, and Mrs. Edward Koz- icky, Sara and Frankie Kozicky, Mr. and Mrs. Sellers, Betty Smith, Margherita GREAT HORNED OWL Frum a drawing hy E. W. Steffen GENERAL NOTES 61 Tarr; BOONE, Mr. and Mrs. M. L, Jones, Barbara, Charles and Loren Jones; DES MOINES, Dorothy Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Albert C- Berkowitz, Abby and Etta Berkowitz, Mrs. A. J. Rinsfeld, Mr. and Mrs. Woodward Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Chamberlain, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Haskell. Olivia McCabe, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Musgrove, Jean Musgrove, Eslella Reynolds, Irene M. Smith, Mrs. Toni Wendelburg; DIAGONAL, Mr, and Mrs. Harold Turnbull; FARLEY, Mr. and Mrs. George Crossley: LA MON I. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Dc- Long; McGREGOR, O. P. Allert; MT, PLEASANT, David L. Savage; MT. VERNON, Dr. and Mrs. Harold Ennis. David Ennis; NEWTON. Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Moore, Ivan, Larry and Sammy Moore, Lucille Moore; OGDEN, Jim Keenan: OSKALOOSA. Mr, and Mrs. Wayne Partridge, Gene and Sue Part- ridge; PRINCETON, Mr, and Mrs. James Clemons, Norvall Clemons; SPENC- ER. Dr. E. D. Christensen; SPIRIT LAKE, Dr. and Mrs. F. L. R. Roberts; TAMA, Mrs. J, G. Ennis, Mrs. W. G. MacMartin; WATERLOO. Dr. Myrle Burk, Mrs Geo, Burk, Lynn Burk, Pearl Rader, John Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Schmidt, Jo Ann Schmidt; WINTHROP. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pierce. Mrs. J. M. Pierce; WOODWARD, Richard Guthrie; GUILFORD COLLEGE. N. C., Willie N, Hunter. Total registered, 85. GENERAL NOTES Avocet and Other Birds in the Davenport Region.— In my report of the 1950 annual meeting of the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union at Davenport (la;t is- sue, pages 42-48), the list of birds observed on the field trip included only those of Sunday, May 14. It seems advisable, for matter of record, to report an observation that a group of us were fortunate in making on the Saturday morning trip, May 13. On one of the ponds near McCausland we watched an Avocet for more than a half hour. The bird at all times was a short distance from us, and correct identification could be made without binoculars or telescopes, al- though wc used them In order to get more detailed study of this striking bird. Its feeding activities were of particular interest. When it flew to a more ad- vantageous spot (for us), we noted its flight pattern and heard its call. The Avocet was not seen the next day. It had been reported on the pond for sev- eral previous days. On this trip Dr, Robert Vane saw the Baird’s Sandpiper. Myra Willis saw the Cerulean Warbler, The Least Bittern, Upland Plover, Olive-sided Flycatcher. Bewick’s Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Lincoln’s Sparrow and several other species were ob- served on May 13 but were not seen May 14. The total list for May 13 was 153 species.— LILLIAN SERBOUSEK, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Townsend's Warbler at Davenport.— A Townsend's Warbler {DrnAroica towurndi) was observed by Thomas Morrissey and me on Sunday. May 7, 1950, in a ravine at Fejuvary Park, Davenport. Two days previous there had been wind of gale proportions throughout a good bit of the state, coming in from the southwest, and this was probably responsible for the presence of this western species. We were able to watch it in full sunlight through good binoculars for almost ten minutes as it worked through the upper branches of the small trees of the ravine. Lack of a gun and it being Sun- day and a city park made collecting out of the question, but the distinctive face pattern, the combination of black crown and striped sides made identi- fication certain. I had seen the bird previously in the southwest. In a similar ravine in a residential section of the same part of the city a few days before I had observed a Hooded Warbler (ff'ihonia citrina). It stayed in full view in the open for over a half hour. I have heard that this south- ern warbler was observed in many places to the north of its ordinary range this spring, hut have seen no other records to date,— THOMAS J, FEENEY, Davenport, Iowa. IOWA B1KD LIFE— XX, 1950 Grinnell’s Water-thrush in Midsummer,— Last year I reported seeing three Water- thrushes on Walnut Creek on July 17 (Iowa Bird Life, XIX, p. 56h On July 30, 1949, I saw one in the same vicinity. On June 25, 1950, I found one but was unable to tell the species. On July 16. I again saw one, which I identified as the Grinnell’s. It would appear that they are again nesting here. On July 2 Albert Berkowitz and I saw a Solitary Sandpiper just west of Johnson Station in Polk County, This is another species that frequently is seen in Iowa in early summer, though there are no reports of nesting — WOOD- WARD BROWN, Des Moines. Iowa. Nesting Bewick's Wren near Iowa City, — Wo often visited a nearby farm where we had been hearing a Bewick's Wren near the machine-shed in the farm yard. We made a search and found the nest in a combine. The nest was in the front section which runs along the ground in the grain. There was a hole in the side which the bird used for entry, but fortunately for us the back was open so we could see and photograph the nest. Here is our record (1950) for the nest: May 30, nest without eggs; June 4. four eggs in the nest; June 11. incubating six eggs; June 21, young in nest; June 25, photos taken of nest and young: July 2, young left nest; July 4, young in trees near by, Tom had a hard time getting pictures as the bird was quite suspicious — apparently of the camera. We expected to have an easy time as there was so much traffic at the scene. He even put up a blind in the shadows of the f hed. We think the bird became frightened when we took our first picture. She was on the nest and the flash bulb exploded with a loud report which really startled her. Apparently the male disappeared shortly after the birds hatched as we saw no more of him. The female was quite busy feeding the six young and watching the farm cats which prowled near by. — FRED W KENT. Iowa City, Iowa, BEWICK’S WREN Left view shows Tom Kent reaching down into nesting compartment in the combine. Rittht picture shows adult bird and yourttf at the nest. Photographs by Fred W. and Tom Kent. GENERAL NOTES 63 Migrant Shrike Attacks Robin, — On March 19, 1990, while I was disking a field, I saw a Migrant Shrike attack a female Robin. The day was cold and blustery, and as the field lay in the shelter of timber, several hundred Bronzed Gmckles and Robins were working over the freshly-turned earth. The attack was made in three sallies, and from all appearances would have been an easy victory for the shrike. After each sally the shrike flew off, made a com- plete circle to continue the attack, and landed, hawk-like, on the Robin. During the attack the Robin moved about 50 feet, but there was no hesita- tion on the part of the shrike as to which was its victim among the many feed- ing near by. As the shrike came in the third time I was bending over the stunned Robin. My presence was ignored as it came in, and 1 attempted to capture it but succeeded in getting only its tail feathers. The loss of its tail did not discourage it, however, as it perched on a cornstalk 100 feet away as if waiting for me to leave the scene. I drove it away with clods of dirt. — O. P. ALLERT, McGregor, Iowa. Observations in Southwest Iowa. — My daughter Jean and I were very much interested in the report of the Davenport bird trip of May 14, as we had kept our list of May 13. made at Forney's Lake and Waubonsie, in extreme southwest Iowa. Our list of 88 species was made from the car. Many of the birds recorded at Davenport we had seen previously, but not on the 13th. Our additions to the Davenport list were: Avocet <3 on flooded fields >, Franklin's Gull. Yellow-headed Blackbird, Snow and Blue Geese (flock of more than 500 1. Pelican, Baldpate, Brewer’s Blackbird. Bell's Vireo, Hudsonian Godwit (25 on flooded fields). Arkansas Kingbird, Krider’s Hawk, Blue-gray Gnat- catchcr, Summer Tanager, Turkey Vulture Our first Hudsonian Godwits (3) we saw near Shenandoah on a small pond, April 20, 1950. From that time we saw them in various places until May 13. the date of largest number seen. On May 11 a Mockingbird flew to the mound beside our car, parked in Shenandoah. This was our only record, though I was told that Mockingbirds nested here two or three years ago. On May 15 we saw several Worm-eating Warblers, a species I had seen only once before. — MRS, ROBERT I, BORDNER, Shenandoah, Iowa. On the Relative Abundance of Cuckoos.— One of the many questions which present themselves to the observer in the field is the difference in the frequency with which birds of similar appearance and food habits are encountered. A conspicuous example is furnished by the Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos. Reference to the literature brings out the fact that most ornithologists consider the two species of cuckoos almost identical in haunts, habits and movements, and their general appearance is very similar also. Hausman asserts that the Black-billed is more a bird of the damp lowlands. Bent, in his “Life Histories", comments: ‘In appearance and habits our two cuckoos are very much alike, and the haunts are similar; both are often found to- gether, or in similar places, though the Black-billed is rather more of a woodland bird." The breeding range of the Yellow-billed extends farther south than that of the Black-billed, but this does not account for the uneven distribution in the middle of their respective ranges. In Kansas, according to Goodrich, the Black-billed is considered much less common, Roberts found, in Min- nesota, that "locally the Yellow-billed may be the more common, especially in the southern part of the state, but generally is considerably outnumbered by the Black-billed.” Anderson, referring to the Iowa distribution, said that in some localities the Black-billed appeared to be less common, while in others it was more abundant. Both species were described by DuMont in "Birds of Folk County" as fairly common summer residents. IOWA BIRD LIFE— XX, 1950