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II0WA 0IRI\!11TIM0IL00II§T§ ,J U^II0IM f

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VOL, IV

DECEMBER, 1934

NO. 4

OFFICERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION ■

President— Dr. George 0. Hendrickson, Ames, Iowa
: Vice-President — J. Wilbur Dole, Fairfield, Iowa *

Sec'y-Treas.- — Miss Kate E, LaMar, Des Moines, Iowa
Editor — Fred J. Pierce, Winthrop, Iowa

Executive Council:

Philip A. DuMont, Des Moines, Iowa
Oscar P. Allert, McGregor, Iowa

J 0. S. Thomas, Rock Rapids, Iowa J

Ex-officio Council Members (Past Presidents) : :

Walter M. Rosene Walter W, Bennett |

Arthur J. Palas Dr. F, L. R. Roberts

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I Iowa, 50c a year. Special rate for all libraries, public or college, :
I 50c a year. Single copies 15c each.

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? Field Notes on Towm birds, hook news, and historical or biographical material •

pertaining to Iowa ornithology are desired for publication.

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EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION OFFICE [

j WINTHROP, IOWA j

Entered as second-class matter February 0, F.KJ2, at the post office at Winthrop, Iowa,
under the Act of March Z t 1S7D.

42

IOWA BIRD LIFE

THE FIELD TRIP*

By T. C. STEPHENS

Omitting- a graceful and prefactory prologue, it may be at once stated
that the field trip is the starting point of an awakened interest in birds*
It is not only the start, but also the sustaining stimulus. The outdoor
life which goes along with bird study has many rewards. That the fresh
air and exercise are beneficial to health, and that the development of
close and critical observational power is a valuable mental discipline,
may be passed with the mere suggestion.

One of the keenest delights to the beginner is the discovery that a
great many kinds of birds are more or Jess constant in their preference
for a certain sort of locality in which to live. Some species are found
only in woods, while others remain in open country; some frequent the
shallow shores of water-ways, while others hide in the vegetation of
swamps and marshes. So these peculiar localities, distinguished chiefly
by the character of the vegetation, are called the habitats of the life-
forms found therein. When one becomes somewhat familiar with the
habits and habitats of the various families of birds, one's field work
becomes better systematized, and there is much less loss of effort.

Since the greatest incentive to bird study arises in the enjoyment of
the trip into the woods and fields, and the discovery of new birds not
known before, and the final success in identification, we will first con-
sider how the field trip may be made most productive of results.

It is well for beginners to accompany experienced observers and to
have some species pointed out, and to learn what kind of marks and
characters are relied upon to identify the various species. It is never
advisable, however, for a large number of people to work together,
for there is much probability that some will want to talk, and others
will want to travel too rapidly at the wrong time. A person going
alone will probably see and learn more; but two or three who are accus-
tomed to work together will enjoy each other’s company without much
interference. Ladies may prefer to go in small groups rather than
alone, because of some timidity.

It goes without saying, of course, that all field work must be done
on foot, although conveyances will take the city dweller to the vicinity
of his favorable haunts when he might not otherwise be able to go.
When actual work is to be done all movement must be done on fool.
One who is not fond of walking should not aspire to become an
ornithologist.

The method of approach will vary with the type of ground surface,
and the species under observation. Some species, like the kinglets and
the chickadees, will allow direct and unconcealed approach. Others can
be approached only by skilful stalking. Sometimes it becomes neces-
sary to crawl for a distance in order to see without frightening away
the quarry. Again one must wait in concealment for the birds to pass
by. Under any circumstances one must avoid quick movements. In
approaching any bird he careful not to swing the arms or sway the
body. Do not allow the clothing to be blown about in the wind — keep
the coat buttoned. In the woods the rustling of the leaves or the break-
ing of twigs underfoot is sufficient to drive many ground birds ahead
of the tramper.

•Good advice is always* timely. We believe this article will prove very useful to our
readers because of the clear manner in which certain important points are discussed. It
wftj drat published in ‘Iowa Conservation' in lUll). and is reprinted by kind permission
of the author, Incidentally, Dr. Stephens was i»ne of the founders of the Iowa Orni-
tholoffista 1 Union, and has lon^ been prominent in Iowa ornithology,^ Ed.

THE FIELD TRIP

43

Dress. The clothing: worn by the student has more to do with suc-
cess than one might think. It is quite generally agreed that bright col-
ors, such as red and white, and even black, are conspicuous in the fields
and woods. The neutral shades are best; and so gray and brown are
good, while khaki is perhaps the most generally used. A small, narrow-
brimmed hat is better than one with a broad brim, and the brim should
be flexible to permit the easy use of the field glass. Ladies should dis-
card the usual ornamentation from the hat which is used in field work.
No article of clothing is more important than the shoes. Soft and cum-
fortable shoes, always with low heels, will make a pleasant and profit-
able trip possible. Of course, one must often be somewhat proficient in
forecasting- the weather, in order to be appropriately dressed for it.

Time. Some birds, like the water-fowl and shore-birds, may be as
easily observed late in the day as early; and this may be true also, to
some extent at least, of many land birds, But as a rule the latter are
more active in the early morning and forenoon, when they are feeding.
And they are also most likely to be singing in the early morning. So,
in general, the best time to study birds is in the morning — from day-
light onward. Of course, after nesting is well under way this is not so
important, for they have ceased singing, and their feeding activity is
more prolonged.

IDENTIFICATION

The first necessity in field work is the ability to recognize and
identify the various species of birds. The beginner, in nearly every
case, is bound to make a large percentage of error. This will be due to
several circumstances. The novice usually lacks the power of accurate
observation and trained discrimination. He also lacks the knowledge
of what it is possible to see, as against what is entirely an improba-
bility. One of the most gratifying results of bird study is the con-
sciousness on the part of the student of the development of a change in
mental attitude, including a keener power of observation and a more
critical discrimination between fact and supposition. These mental
habits, once acquired, will be applied not only in bird study, but in all
other individual experiences as well. These statements will be readily
appreciated by those who have taken the training.

The question of validity of field identification is a rather difficult one,
of course. This may be especially true if the student becomes ambi-
tious to publish his records, or if, in later years, his note-books come
into the possession of another person. And if one keeps note-books at
all he should always keep in mind the possibility that they may at some
time fall into the hands of another who might be tempted to use them for
scientific data. Every care should be taken, therefore, to exclude all
doubtful identifications.

How then may the beginner judge as to the accuracy of his field
identifications? This question has been discussed by Mr. Chapman
in ‘Bird-Lore 1 (Vol. IV, 1902, p. lfifi; Vol, XI, 1900, pp. 07 and 91).
and the following rules are laid down for the acceptance of unusual
records :

“(1) Experience m naming birds in nature, and familiarity, at least
with the local fauna. (2) Observation with a good field or opera
glass. (o) Opportunity to observe the bird closely and repeatedly
with the light at one’s back. (4) A detailed description of the plum-
age, appearance, actions, and notes (if any) of the bird, written while
it is under observation. (5) Examination of a specimen of the sup-
posed species to confirm one’s identification.” This latter examination
mav be subsequently made in a museum or collection.

These tests may assist one in guarding himself against error, al-
though by their careful fulfillment one may utterly fail to convince

44

IOWA BIRD LIFE

another who has had longer or wider experience. The beginner must
be prepared to meet skepticism and rebuffs without becoming dis-
courage dt

After all, in the matter of scientific credibility the personal equation
cannot be entirely excluded, however much it may be desired to do so.
One should, therefore, endeavor to make his observations dispassion-
ately and without preconception, and to make statements conservatively
and deliberately.

Th« Tool*. The tools of the ornithologist in the field are a bird glass,
the note-book, and, if a beginner, some sort of guide or key. So far as
the writer is aware only one pocket guide showing all of the birds in
color has been published in this country. This is a very practical help
to anyone who is not pretty well up in the professional class. A care-
ful comparison of the bird at the time of observation with a good col-
ored plate might possibly be accepted in lieu of the fifth of Dr. Chap-
man's tests.

The writer is rather disposed to discourage anyone from attempting
bird study without some sort of field glass. At any rate one is very
greatly handicapped indeed without one. An opera glass will do, of
course, but a field glass is usually more satiafaictory even though it
may not have any greater magnification. The ordinary bird glass mag-
nifies from three to four diameters; and one enlarging more than this
is likely to be too large and heavy for such use.

It is necessary to use considerable care in selecting a glass, and it
would be well to secure the assistance of some one who has had experi-
ence in the use of one. It is quite important to choose one which is
built to the “pupillary distance” that will fit the eyes of the person who
is to use it. When this is done the observer will look through the glass
into a single round field; otherwise, he will see two overlapping fields,
which may result in causing eye strain. Some field glasses are hinged
so as to be adjustable for any pupillary distance. None of the cheaper
glasses are corrected for chromatic aberration, and this means that the
periphery of the field will show rings of various colors which may at
times be confused with the colors of birds. This cannot be overcome
and one must put up with it or buy a more expensive glass.

Of course, the bird glass /wr t-xtrUvutv is the prism binocular, which is
now made by seveial large concerns. Among those which the writer
has used none equal the Goerz “Fagor” in definition, brilliancy of il-
lumination, and compactness. No glass should be selected for bird
work which enlarges more than eight diameters. Opinions will vary as
to the relative merits of the six-power and eight-power glass. No doubt
along the coast and large bodies of water the eight-power glass will he
preferable. But it must always be borne in mind that as the magnify-
ing power increases the size of the field decreases. A six-power glass
gives ample magnification for the study of small birds in the tree tops,
and the larger field very greatly facilitates locating the bird as it fills
about among the branches,

A pocket note-book should always be carried in the field. A careful
entry should 'be made for each trip, giving date, locality, weather con-
ditions. and such additional information as length of time out, distance
covered, persons in the company, etc. Then a record should be made
of each species definitely identified, either by eye or ear. It is not
sufficient merely to record each species observed, but the number of
individuals of each species should be given either by actual count or by
estimate. .

The writer ventures to offer a few suggestions to those who may wish
to work in small groups. While they may seem superfluous to many,
yet they are the outcome of several years of class teaching, and if they

BIRDS OF BACKBONE PARK

45

are carefully observed from the beginning much difficulty and annoy-
ance may be avoided.

RULES IN THE FIELD

1. Keep with the company; do not walk a rod or so ahead, for by
so doing the bird may be frightened away before all have seen.

2. Do not ask to borrow a friend's field glass— it may be the par-
ticular moment when he wishes to use it. Every one going into the
field should have his own glass constantly at his service. If a friend is
good enough to lend his glass, return it promptly.

3- If your companion stops to listen, stop also; because your steps
will make enough noise to interfere with his hearing and might also
frighten the bird away.

4. Loud talking, or talking of any kind at times, is detrimental to
efficient bird study, and may annoy your companion who wishes to
hear and see.

5. Use care in walking so as to avoid rustling leaves and breaking
twigs. Such slight noises will scare away certain kinds of birds,

6. Never tear down a fence to get through. Leave the gates as you
find them.

BIRDS OF THE BACKBONE STATE PARK

By FRED J, PIERCE

The Backbone State Park is an area of some 1300 acres located in
the northwestern corner of Delaware County, Iowa. It is traversed by
the Maquoketa River, and the topography is of a very scenic character,
consisting of high, rugged cliffs and wooded hills. A narrow ridge of
rock extending through the southern part of the park is called the
"Devil's Backbone" and has given the park its name. For nearly a half
century northeastern Iowa residents have gone to this area for picnic
and pleasure trips. In the old dr^ys the place was known as "The
Rocks", and it was a genuine wilderness of great interest. Although
the State’s taking over the region for a park will assure perpetuity, it
is to be regretted that it has been so thoroughly modernized and devel-
oped. An elaborate system of highways, trails and other means of ac-
cess has been worked out, while the new artificial lake will further
change the original aspect of the park.

The following list of 102 species of birds is based upon some 30 trips
in the park by the writer during nine different months of the year,
during the period 1923-1934. The Ruffed Grouse is doubtless gone
forever, and the Pileated Woodpecker may not return. As the park
changes form, variations in its bird life are to be expected. This list
is entirely my own. Various other species have been seen by other ob-
servers in this region but are not included here. My migration data are
not complete. The park is very near the border of Buchanan County
whose birds and their migration have been fully covered in my paper
in the 'Wilson Bulletin', XLII, 1930, pp. 253-285. With this fact in
mind, migration dates are omitted in the present list.

PERMANENT RESIDENTS
Ruffed Grouse, former resident, one Northern Blue Jay
record, Dec. 23, 1923 Eastern Crow

Northern Barred Owl Black-capped Chickadee

N, Pileated Woodpecker, three rc- Tufted Titmouse, five records, 1930
:ds: May 21,1931; Sept. 21 and 1931 and 1934 '

con

Dec. 2G, 1932
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Eastern Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Downy Woodpecker

White-breasted Nuthatch
Eastern Cardinal
Eastern Goldfinch

4 G

IOWA BIRD LIFE

A SCKNE IN HACKKONE STATE PARK

Looking towurd ll»e riilge or "Hack bone.” Another view of ihe imrk
up|ieu rs in Town Hird Life.’ tl, 1'J.H'L i>< -U.

SUMMER

Eastern Mourning: Dove
Black-billed Cuckoo
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
E. Belted Kingfisher, sometimes win-
ters

Northern Flicker, sometimes winters
Red-headed Woodpecker
Northern Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Wood Pewee
Rough-winged Swallow
Western House Wren
Catbird

Brown Thrasher
Eastern Rohm
Eastern Bluebird

RESIDENTS

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, nest found
May 17, 1032, but later deserted
Ye How- throated Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Blue-winged Warbler
Oven-bird

Northern Yellow-throat
American Redstart
Baltimore Oriole
Eastern Cowbird
Scarlet Tanager
Rose- breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Red-eyed Towhee
Eastern Field Sparrow
Eastern Song Sparrow

SUMMER RESIDENTS NEAR EDGE OF PARK
{Often seen within the park but nesting outside of it.)

Eastern Green Heron
Black-crowned Night Heron
Eastern Red-tailed Hawk,
in park occasionally
Marsh Hawk
Eastern Bob- white
Killdeer

Spotted Sandpiper
Eastern Nighthawk

Eastern Kingbird
Barn Swallow
may nest Purple Martin
Bobolink

Eastern Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark
Dickcissel
English Sparrow
Eastern Vesper Sparrow

GENERAL NOTES

47

WINTER RESIDENTS

Eastern Purple Finch Slate-colored Junco

Northern Pine Siskin, occasional Eastern Tree Sparrow
TRANSIENT VISITANTS

Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose, Dec. 23, 1923
Mallard, Dec* 23, 1923
Cooper's Hawk

Broad-winged Hawk, Dec. 23, 1923;
flock of 140 migrating on Sept, 21,
1932*

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Least Flycatcher

Olive-sided Flycatcher, May 21, 1931;

Aug, 13, 1934
Brown Creeper
Eastern Winter Wren
Wood Thrush
Eastern Hermit Thrush
Olive-backed Thrush
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Willow Thrush
E. Golden-crowned Kinglet
E. Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Cedar Waxwing
Blue-headed Vireo
Black and White Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Myrtle Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Cerulean Warbler, May 24, 1931
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Bay-br. Warbler, May 17, 1932
Black-poll Warbler
N. Pine Warbler, Sept. 4, 1925
Grinnell's Water-Thrush
Mourning Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow

GENERAL NOTES

Notes from Kossuth County. — -The migrants in this locality present
the greatest variety of species, although in the summer of 1934 1 saw
more than the usual number of residents because available water here
attracted many during the drought.

We have a pair of Migrant Shrikes which every year nest in a ceme-
tery near my home. This cemetery with its evergreens affords a com-
paratively peaceful place for rearing their young.

I had a puzzling experience with a pair of Yellow Warblers in our
raspberry patch. On June 23 my attention was distracted by the fe-
male warbler. I decided there must be a nest near, and search dis-
closed it in a raspberry bush. It contained two grayish-brown eggs.
The next day there were three eggs. I picked berries here almost
every day for a week, during which the old birds always kept a certain
distance. A spell of rainy weather followed, and on July 5 I noticed
that the nest was empty. The period of incubation would have been
less than two weeks. The rain was not so severe as to damage the
nest. It is possible that the pair built another nest elsewhere, I
found a nest of a pair of Brown Thrashers and observed them during
the period of hatching their eggs. After the young were hatched, I
chanced to walk under the nest. I found a young thrasher on the
ground and replaced it in the nest. There was also another, larger
young one in the nest, A half hour later the same youngster was on
the ground but this time was dead.

Among the birds seen here this year were Northern Yellow-throat,
Prothonotary Warbler, Warbling and Yellow-throated Vireos, Orchard
and Baltimore Orioles, Purple Martin, Chimney Swift, Dickcissel, Kill-
deer, Red-winged Blackbird, Barn Swallow, Mourning Dove, Towhee,
Chipping and Song Sparrows. — (MISS) ADA FIENE, Lotts Creek, via
Lone Rock, Iowa.

"A Flight of Broad-win ce<] H:Lwka H " by Chnrlos J. Spiker, ‘Wilson Bulletin',

xlv, p. 7U.

48

IOWA BIRD LIFE

The Increasing Starling Army in Iowa. — The Starling is spreading
into all parts of lowa, and if the present rate of increase is continued,
this bird will soon rival the House Sparrow in numbers. The bird has
been found in all but a few of the counties in the state. The extreme
northwest portion of the state has not had other than a few scattered
birds as yet, but is destined to be invaded in the near future by flocks
of these birds.

During the past fall, flocks of Starlings have been seen in many
places and a few of these are mentioned below, A flock of more than
400 birds was seen near Fort Madison. Large flocks of Starlings were
seen near Elkader, Cedar Rapids and Marshalltown. Many ttocks of
from 75 to 200 were seen throughout southern Iowa from the Missis-
sippi River west to Adair County.

The real concentration of the birds, however, is in Wapello County,
near the city of Ottumwa. At this place a Starling roost was found and
the incoming birds were watched one evening for about two hours.
There were a dozen or more flocks of birds in bunches of 100 to 200
birds, then came a flock which must have contained 700 or 800 birds
and finally a big flock, which must have contained more than 2000 birds.
From the above reports it is apparent that it is only a question of Lime
until lowans will have become very well acquainted with this hardy
bird.— WM. YOUNGWORTH, Sioux City, Iowa.

Spring Migrants in Southeastern Iowa. — On April 20, 1024, I saw a
flock of 12 Hudsonian Godwits near the Washington City Gun Club pro-
perty, Conesville Marsh, Louisa County, There were two beautiful
males and the rest were females. I studied them closely. On May 4,
1024, I found six Gloven Plovers, two males and four females, at the
Conesville Marsh. They were in company with a good sized flock of
Pectoral Sandpipers. 1 approached within ten feet of the birds. I
saw a King Rail at this marsh on May 24, 1024.

Among the 1934 migrants seen near Iowa City were large numbers
of Gray-cheeked Thrushes, May 11; Olive-backed Thrush. May 15; Ten-
nessee Warbler, May 11; Mourning Warbler, May 0; Blue-gray Gnat-
catcher, April 20. Later in the season Nick Cuthbert discovered a
Gnatcatcher’s nest, and with Mr. Cuthbert I watched the two birds on
the nest. — JOHN RIPLEY FORBES, Iowa City, Iowa.

An Injured Lea«t Bittern. — On May 13, 1934, Eldridge Ellis brought
me a female Least Bittern which seemed to be paralyzed. It had no
broken bones, yet it could not stand up, walk or fly and did not seem
to be able to swallow. We fed it tadpoles by opening its beak and let-
ting them slip down. If the tadpole remained in the forward part of
the beak, the bird could not swallow it. Mr. Ellis found the bird near
his home on Cutler Street, Waterloo, several days before he brought
it to me, and it lived only four days after I received it. I tried to dis-
cover its trouble when I mounted it, but could find no clue to the ap-
parent paralysis. — JOHN BLIESE, Waterloo, Iowa.

A Nest of th© Baltimore Oriole.- — The main line of the C. M. and
St. P. railway between Kansas City and Cedar Rapids passes through
the west part of Sigourney, Iowa, approximately parallel with Stone
Street. For a distance of one block the right-of-way of the railway
and the street occupy the same ground, which is thereby made im-
passable for vehicles.

Within this block and on the west side of the railway, about 40
feet from the rails, are located the county jail and an ancient resi-
dence. Between these buildings and the tracks stand two large, wide-
spreading maple trees and a good sized evergreen. On the east side and

GENERAL NOTES

49

about the same distance from the tracks are located two old residences
and two great, old shade trees whose immense branches reach across
the tracks and overlap and mingle with some of the branches from the
west side, forming an enormous canopy or arch through which trains
of cars of every size and description pass at all hours of the night
or day.

There are hundreds of similar shade trees in every direction, yet
a pair of Baltimore Orioles decided in 1933 to construct their wonder-
ful nest in this very locality. They chose a pendant branch almost in
front of the jail and exactly over the center of the railway tracks for
the support of their nest. It was placed at an elevation of ten or
twelve feet above the smoke-stacks and car tops of passing trains.

The fact that Baltimore Orioles show an inclination to place their
nests in noisy public places seems to indicate that they feel themselves
safer and more secure (as in this case) within the grime, smoke,
sparks and noise of passing trains than in many quiet and secluded
places which they might easily choose. They attend to all their duties
of housekeeping, raise their families, and live in such places without
getting their beautiful plumage perceptibly tattered or tarnished, go-
ing on bravely to meet the future, chanting their cheerful songs, and
pursuing insects in the tree tops.— E. D. NAUMAN, Sigourney, Iowa.

Notes from Central Iowa. — Two Prairie Chickens were noted Oc-
tober 19 and five on October 21, 1933; on January 19, 1934, a flock
of 25 was seen.

The first Prairie Horned Larks of the season were seen January
fi, 1934. After February 20 they were common. On March 20, a nest
with four eggs was discovered. The only 1933-34 winter date for
the Meadowlark was January 20, 1934.

A Short-eared Owl was seen on January 3, 1934. I see this bird
here only rarely.

The first Brewer's Blackbird of the season was noted April 19.
1934; a flock of them on April 27 included one male Yellow-headed
Blackbird. A flock of 15-20, on April 28, were the last Brewer’s Black-
birds seen.

My first positive record of the Starling was on May 15, 1934, when
two were observed through a fix glass.

A pair of Upland Plovers have been seen almost every time I have
been afield, from May 6 to July 17 {the time of writing).

I made a trip to Little Wall Lake and Goose Lake, near Jewell, on
May 24. The predominant birds were Red-wings. Yellow-headed Black-
birds, Black Terns, and Black-crowned Night Herons. [ visited the
nesting colony of Night Herons on a high, wooded island on Goose
Lake. Many herons were flying about, making a great outcry. Con-
siderable numbers of shore birds were also present at these lakes.- —
HENRY BIRKELAND, Nevada, Iowa.

(Miss Kate E. LaMar visited Little Wall Lake during July and re-
ported seeing 200 or more Black-crowned Night Herons and 21 Great
Blue Herons. — Ed.)

American Egret at Storm Lake. — On July 26, 1934, at Heron Lake
in Minnesota, about 40 miles beyond the Okoboji lakes, I observed
two American Egrets posing in the tall willows that line the east shore
at the southern extremity of the lake. At Storm Lake, Iowa, August
10, 1934. I found four egrets feeding in the shallow water of the sanc-
tuary, Although men building a bridge there were continually setting
off blasts of dynamite, these birds never left their business of fishing,
E. F. Sehuenke, deputy game warden, told me that they were there a
greater part of the summer. —FRED. G. BLISS, Washta, Iowa.

50

IOWA BIRD LIFE

American Egret in Black Hawk County. — On July 19, 1934, a, young
farmer living about two miles south of Hudson telephoned us that he
had seen a strange white bird at a pond in one of his fields. We drove
out at once and were able to approach within 50 feet of the bird, which
proved to be an American Egret. The light was excellent and we were
perfectly satisfied with our view of the bird.— MRS, ROBERT I.
BORDNER, Hudson, Iowa.

American Egret in Van Buren County.— During the last of August
and in September, 1934, American Egrets and Great Blue Herons
were on the Des Moines River in numbers at Lacey-Keosauqua State
Park. They were especially numerous above the Pittsburgh bridge.
The water in the river was low and in many places quite shallow, mak-
ing it easy for them to get food. Eleven egrets were in view at one
time, as were nearly 50 Great Blue Herons. Egrets are reported to
be increasing, and their presence in numbers this year along the Des
Moines River indicates it.— J, WILBUR DOLE, Fairfield, Iowa,

Franklin'* Gulls on Storm Lake. — A flock of Franklin’s Gulls, esti-
mated to contain at least 100,000 individuals, was seen by the writer
on Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, September 21, 1934. This
3000-acre lake was seemingly entirely covered with these birds. Lo-
cal residents computed the flock at ‘'millions.” — PHILIP A. DU MONT,
Des Moines, Iowa.

Our Robin*. — One snowy morning early in the spring of 1934, I
looked out of the kitchen window and saw a female Robin eating bread
from my feeding shelf. Her feathers were ruffled and some were gone,
which made her look old, so we called her Grandma.

She made several trips a day to the shelf and drove away any other
Robins that tried to patronize the shelf. When it came time to build
a nest I noticed that Grandma was trying to build her nest on the
upper ledge of a window in the garage. The space was too small, so
I nailed a cigar box to the ledge. It was not very long until Grandma
and her new husband were making trips to the box with sticks and
strips of white cloth and yarn that I had put out for them. Nest build-
ing started in earnest.

In due time there were four blue eggs in the nest, out of which two
spotted-breasted babies were reared. The family became very tame,
as I fed them all summer. Just at present they are enjoying the
grapes in the yard. Other birds that are also enjoying the grapes arc
Brown Thrashers, Catbirds, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks. The phlox and physastegia in the flower garden attract
many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. — (MISS) DOROTHY JONES,
Davenport, Iowa, September 12, 1934.

American Magpie and other Bird*. — On October 6, 1934, beside a
little used road northeast of Galva in Sac County, I observed two Mag-
pies feeding beneath a plum thicket. A large house cat stalked and
made an unsuccessful attack on these birds, to which they retaliated
with several scathing remarks.

Later, on the same day at the Storm Lake sanctuary, among the
usual birds were five White Pelicans and a Herring Gull. These pelicans
spend much of their time preening on the muskrat houses. Their pow-
erful, gliding flight with long black primary feathers spread wide and
curved upward is worth waiting hours to behold.

On September 29, a Pigeon Hawk flew by into an open veranda where
the sparrows he was pursuing escaped into a honeysuckle bush. The
little hawk selected a drooping elm branch for a perch and glared
down at me for a long minute before flying away.

GENERAL NOTES

51

Seven Sandhill Cranes rested for a short time at Storm Lake on
October 14, 1934. They were seen by E. F. Sehuenke, a deputy game
warden. -“FRED G. BLISS, Washta, Iowa.

Mockingbirds in Jefferson County. — Mockingbirds were seen in Jef-
ferson County in 1934, the first time since 1902. They were seen in,
four different locations, though none within six miles of Fairfield or
of the territory of another pair of Mockingbirds. William McClain,
who spent the greater part of the summer on highways of this county,
imported the presence of the birds. He had previously lived in the
South where Mockingbirds are common, and he of course recognized
the birds at once. On July 5, he took Professor Welty and the writer
to a locality some six miles northwest of Fairfield where we saw two.
I observed them again on July 8, through a field glass at a distance
of 75 or 100 feet, and found that one was an old bird and the other
a young in juvenile plumage. We thought it probable that a second
brood would be reared. We endeavored to locate their nest but were
unsuccessful. P. S. Junkin reports having seen four at a later date.

As the territory of all the Mockingbirds seen was along highways
in locations not frequented by bird students, I think it probable that
the birds were in this county in previous years but were unobserved.
In fact, one farmer reports their having nested near his home for the
past two years. W T e have no definite knowledge of their migration,
cdther arrival or departure. — I. WILBUR DOLE, Fairfield, Iowa.

Additional Observations of Harlan’s, Krider's, and the Western Red-
tailed Hawk m Iowa,- — An article by the writer containing notes on
the 1983 fall migration of Red-tailed Hawks in Iowa was published in
‘Iowa Bird Life', IV, 198 1, pp. 1^-19. These additional observations
were made during the spring of 1934.

HARLAN’S HAWK. A second-year bird was seen one mile south of
Rembrandt, Buena Vista County, March 19. An excellent opportun-
ity was allowed to note the dark plumage on the body, the spotting on
the under-lining of the wing, the dark gray tail, and the lack of feath-
ering on the tarsus.

One was seen two miles southwest of Perry, Dallas County, March
29. Another was observed south of Brough, Dallas County, on the
same date. A very dark bird seen that day east of Adel was either
htirlam or mhtrus.

9 11 AP ri l on e in the light phase was seen southwest of Belniond,
Wright County. The back was dark, the underparts light, while the
tail was almost whitish, wiih no indication of the rusty color. On the
same date one was noted three miles east of Twin Lake in Hancock
County, and a pair was seen one mile east of the lake.

A single bird was seen in Dickinson County, April 6.

A bird in typical plumage was observed by Logan J. Bennett and the
writer south of Wallingford, Emmet County, April 13.

One was noted in Cerro Gordo County, April 20. In addition to the
dark-plumaged underparts and the gray tail this bird showed a light
bar across the wing about two-thirds of the way towards the tip.

K RIDER’S HAWK. A splendid example of this hawk was seen near
Swan Lake, Emmet County, March 23, The underparts were entirely
white, the back had some white in the plumage, and the tail was mostly
white. When first seen it was thought to be an eagle because of the
white head and tail.

One was seen south of Burt, Kossuth County, on March 28.

Another was observed in Hancock County, April 20.

52

IOWA BIRD LIFE

WESTERN RED-TAILED HAWK. On April 3, an adult of this form
was observed south of Garner, Hancock County, The entirely dark
plumage with bright rufous tail was studied at leisure as the bird perched
on a fence post nearby.

A bird seen April 17, near Four Mile Lake in Emmet County was
probably this subspecies. It was in the first year plumage, all feathers
being of a chocolate brown. — PHILIP A. DU MONT, Des Moines, Iowa

Migration of Hawks in Story County. —

Fall, 1933: 1 No. seen

Red-tailed Hawk (Sept. 29 to Nov. 7), 13

American Rough-legged Hawk (Nov. 27 to Dec. 9), 8

Marsh Hawk (Sept. 30 to Nov. 27), 21

Unidentified species (Oct. 9 to Nov. 27), 26

Total 68

Spring, 1934:

Red-tailed Hawk (March 13 to April 10), 10

American Rough-legged Hawk (Feb. 7 to March 1), 6

Marsh Hawk (March 14 to April 12), 9

Unidentified species (Feb. 1 to May 2), 8

Total 33

— -HENRY BIRKELAND, Nevada, Iowa.

Note* on Iowa Birds during the Summer of 1 934 . “—A MERIC AN

EGRET. A flock of 36 was seen on June 24, on Green Bay, northeast
of Ft. Madison, Lee County. W. L. Harvey, a deputy warden, reported
that a number of these birds had been present from late in April ov
early in May. They had frequently been noted since, feeding with the
Great Blue Herons and Black-crowned Night Herons. No nests were
found, A single bird was observed in the marsh south of Elk Lake,
Clay County, July 12.

REDHEAD. Twelve birds (of both sexes) were seen on the cast
end of High Lake, Emmet County, July 4,

LESSER SCAUP DUCK. One male and two females were observed
on the east end of High Lake, July 4.

RUDDY DUCK. At least 20 adults were noted on the east end of
High Lake, July 4. Logan J. Bennett found nests of this species and
the Redhead in this locality during the present nesting season.

HOODED MERGANSER. A female was killed by W. F. Kubichek
on one of the rearing ponds at Lake Wapello, Davis County, June IS,
1934. A female was noted by the writer on Welch Lake, Dickinson
County, July 3.

SWAINSGN'S HAWK. Two adults, apparently a mated pair, were
seen gyrating over a hardwood grove, east of Gitchie Manitou State
Park, in northwest Lyon County, July 1.

UPLAND PLOVER. One was noted in Washington County, June
17. This species was seen in Jefferson County on June 18, 1932, and
during May, 1933.

SOLITARY SANDPIPER. A single female was collected 8 miles
southeast of Hawarden, Sioux County, July 1. Examination of the
gonads proved this to be a non-breeding bird. Three of these birds
were seen at the site of old Bancroft Lake, in northwest Kossouth
County, on July 5.

LESSER YELLOW-LEGS. A flock of 11 was seen on Spirit Lake,
July 3. At least 30 were noted on West Twin Lake, Hancock County,
July 6.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Two birds were observed on Diamond
Lake, Dickinson County, July 3.

GENERAL NOTES

LEAST SANDPIPER. Three of these birds were noted on Diamond
Lake, July 3, and one on West Twin Lake, July 6.

DOWITCHER. A flock of 12 was seen on West Twin Lake, July 6,
feeding: with the Lesser Yellow-leg's.

RING-BILLED GULL, An immature bird was noted on Green Bay,
Lee County, June 24, A flock of eight birds was seen with the Frank-
lin's Gulls on Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, July 3, All were in
immature plumage,

FRANKLIN'S GULL. A flock of at least 120 birds was noted on
Spirit Lake, July 3. It is pure speculation whether these represent non-
breeding individuals or wanderers from the nesting grounds in Jackson
County, Minnesota,

FORSTER'S TERN. These birds were noted on most of the lakes
of the northwest, at least 50 being present on Spirit Lake, July 3, and
75 on West Twin Lake, in Hancock County, July 6.

LEAST TERN. On May 25, three were noted on Brown’s Lake,
Woodbury County, and one on Blue Lake, Monona County, On May

30, at least 12 of these birds were seen along the Missouri River in

Monona County.

CASPIAN TERN. On June 3, four of these birds were seen on
Lake Wapello, a new artificial lake in Davis County.

BLACK TERN. A pair was noted on Lilly Lake in the Amana Cob
cny, Iowa County, June 17. By the end of the month migrant birds
were seen at several points in southern Iowa.

BURROWING OWL. A pair was noted 5 miles west of Spencer,
Clay County, May 24, One bird was seen there on July 12. A single

bird was noted in Dewev’s Pasture, a state-owned wild life breeding

ground near Ruthven, Clay County, June 10. Burrowing Owls were
noted in Sioux and Lyon counties on Julv 1. A pair of adults with 6
young were seen four miles southeast of EstherviJle, Emmet County,
July 4. One was observed one mile northwest of Everly, Clay County,
July 12.

ARKANSAS KINGBIRD. Two were seen by the writer 5 miles
north of Dakota. Kossuth County, May 22. On June 1, one was seen
in Pocahontas County, and one was observed between Pomeroy and
Rockwell City. Calhoun County. D. J. Bullock, of Des Moines, found
one north of Bondurant, Polk County, June 16. On July 5, one w^s
noted near Led yard, Kossuth County, Many are noted from Emmet
and Palo Alto Counties westward, and in the extreme northwest part
of Lvon thev appear to be equally numerous with the Eastern Kingbird,

TREE SWALLOW, A nesting pair was found at the east end of
Green Bay, Lee County, June 25, The nest was located in an opening
near the top of a fence post which was standing in several inches of
water.

CLIFF SWALLOW. A nesting site containing from 275 to 300 nests
was seen at Blulfton, Winneshiek County, July 11. The nests were
grouped in three large blocks and attached near the top of the 200-foot
perpendicular rock face along the Upper Iowa River, Numbers of
the birds were noted.

MOCKINGBIRD. Two were seen near Belknap, Davis County. June
21. Another pair was observed north of Lori mo r, Union County,
Jurtp 21).

LARK SPARROW. This species has been noted during the breeding
in Lee. Davis, and Iowa Counties. — PHILIP A. DU MONT, Des
Moines, Iowa.

We are willing to publish all Iowa Christmas bird censuses not pub-
lished in ‘Bird-Lore.' The lists must be in before February first so
that we can use them in our March issue.

54

IOWA BIRD LIFE

MRS. ARTHUR J. PALAS

It is with extreme regret that we record the passing of Mrs. Arthur
J. Palas, whose death occurred at Des Moines, November 18, 1934,
following a ten-day illness of malaria fever with which she was stricken
shortly after she and her husband returned from a trip through Florida
and the South. . p

Mrs. Palas was a prominent member of the Iowa Ornithologists
Union from its very beginning, and, with her husband, was one of its
founders. Always keenly interested in the Union’s
welfare, she took part in all of its activities. Her
interest in Iowa ornithology was deep-rooted and she
furthered bird study and bird protection in all pos-
sible ways. Mrs. Palas seldom missed one of our
meetings. From year to year we looked forward to
meeting her, and to enjoying her company on the
field trips. She possessed a great zest for bird-hunt-
ing, while keen eyes and discerning observational fac-
ulties made her records reliable. Her personality was
enhanced by an unusually friendly nature, which, to-
gether with her sparkling repartee in conversation,
won her countless friends. Truly, our organization
has suffered a great loss — hers was a place that others
can not fill.

We are indebted to the ‘Des Moines Register’ for
the following biographical data:

“Born in Osage, Iowa, January 21, 1885, Mrs. Palas came to Des
Moines at an early age and was educated in Des Moines schools. Fol-
lowing graduation from North High School she entered Drake Univer-
sity, where she was graduated in 1907. She then became a member of
the University staff, teaching languages. She married in 1909 and in
1911 moved with Mrs. Palas to Elkader, Iowa, where they lived until
1921 before returning to Des Moines.

“Mrs. Palas was an active worker in St, John’s Evangelical Lutheran
church and was past president of the Inter-denominational Missionary
Council in Des Moines. She recently was elected to the national board
of the Women’s Missionary Society of the United Lutheran Churches
in America. She was also an active member of the Des Moines Audu-
bon Society, of which she was a past president ” F. J. P,

“Bird Portraits in Color ,' 1 by Thomas S. Roberts. Bird lovers will
be glad to know that Dr. Thomas S. Roberts of the University of Min-
nesota has another bird book ready. This new book is a practical
guide and a splendid companion piece for your field glass on expedi-
tions anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains in northern United States
and southern Canada.

Dr. Roberts has made it a handsome volume, using the same fine
color plates that he used in “The Birds of Minnesota”; 92 in all, these
plates are of exceptional accuracy and beauty, from paintings by six
leading bird artists. They depict 5fil major figures, representing 295
species, including juvenile and male and female, shown in their various
phases of plumage and markings at different seasons. The text by
Dr. Roberts adequately describes each species as to its size and color
markings, its habits and range, its nest and eggs and its songs. A
seven-page index is especially helpful because the popular names are
given with the scientific names.

The book is published by the University of Minnesota Press, Min-

GENERAL NOTES

neapolis, at $3.50 in cloth, $2.50 in limp cloth, and $1.50 for the pic-
tures in portfolio with index but no text. — F. G. BLISS.

New Member*, — David Damon, Ames; Miss Ada Fiene, Lone Rock;
Prof. George R. Fowler, Ames; James R. Harlan, Des Moines; John A.
Meyer, Holland; Gerald B. Spawn, Ames.

New Subscribers: 0. S. Biggs, San Jose, 111.; George W. H, vos

Burgh, Columbus, Wis.; Ed. S, Currier, Portland, Ore.; E. A. Doolittle,
Painsville, Ohio; John 0. Felker, St. Louis County, Mo,; Dr, George
M. Sutton, Ithaca, N. Y, ; R. B. Trousiot, Walnut Creek, Calif.; John
R. Williams. Uvbana, 111,

Additional Permanent Files: Chicago Academy of Sciences, Chi-

cago; Iowa State Library, Des Moines.

* * * $

Dr. Hendrickson suggests that each of you make an effort lo get
acquainted with the deputy game warden in your district and invite
him to become a member of our organization. Several wardens are
already members, and we should like to have others join us, as our
interests are kindred and mutual benefits will be derived,

# * * m

Iowa members who attended the A, O. U. meeting in Chicago in Oc-
tober were: 0. P. Allert, McGregor; Henry Rirkeland. Nevada; Dr, and
Mrs. T. C. Stephens and Mrs. Maty Bailey, Sioux City; Mr, and Mrs,
Frederick Hamerstrom, Ames; Mrs. Toni Wendelburg and P. A. Du-
Mont, Des Moines.

Dr. Mary Price Roberts, formerly of Iowa City, has taken a position
as teacher and consulting psychologist in the schools at Grand Island,
Nebraska.

* * * *

Free copies of Bailey’s “Raptorial Birds of Iowa" (1918) are still
available to Iowa residents. Requests should be made to the Iowa
Geological Survey, Iowa City, Iowa,

* * $ ■*

TO OUR MEMBERS

In closing another successful year we wish to thank you for your
generous support and cooperation. You have made possible the publi-
cation of ‘Iowa Bird Life* and are I'esponsible for the healthy condi-
tion of our organization. Wc trust that you will continue with us
during the coming year.

‘Iowa Bird Life' is conducted on sound business principles. It pays
its own way. There are no subsidies or reserve funds, and the maga-
zine depends entirely on current income. We are giving you just as
large a magazine as we can afford. Such undertakings are expensive.
If you would have a larger ‘Iowa Bird Life 1 , help us to increase our
membership. Tell your friends about us and show them the magazine.
We are always glad to send sample copies to interested bird lovers.

Membership dues are payable January first. Help us to begin the new
year with substantial funds by sending your dollar at once to Miss
LaMar, at 1231 Thirty-ninth St., Des .Moines, We shall appreciate
your promptness and it will save postage and Miss LaMar’s time in
sending out due notices.

With best wishes for the Bird Year 1935,

Very sincerely,

THE OFFICERS.

Iowa Ornithologists’ Union,

IOWA BIRD LIKE

A WORK OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO

BIRD LOVERS I

BIRD CITY !

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With more than one hundred photographs j
of Bird Life I

By E. A. McIlhenny
Introduction by Harris Dickson

The story of Mr, McIlhenny *s work and his great j
achievement in saving birds has been briefly told in [
a late issue of the Saturday Evening Post , by Harris j
Dickson, This three-page article, with half a dozen [
illustrations, gives the reader an insight into the work
undertaken. However, the complete story of the j
work of this pioneer in bird protection is to be found j
only in this, Mr, Mcllhenny’s own book.

[

" The camera, indeed , is needed to
show the miracle that Mr. McIlhenny has
wrought at his home on Avery Island ,
Louisiana , Founded some forty years ago ,

Bird City now covers 3 5 acres.” — 'Bird-
Lore/

From your bookstore.

The Christopher Publishing House

1140 Columbus Avenue Boston, Massachusetts

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