PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION VOL. XV MARCH, 1945 NO. 1 OFFICERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION President — Dr. J. Harold Ennis, ML Vernon, Iowa Vice-President — Charles C. Ayres, Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa * Sce’y-Treas.- — Miss Lillian Serbousek, 1226 Second St, S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa Librarian — Dr. Warren N, Keck, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Editor — -Fred J, Pierce, Winthrop, Iowa j Executive Council: Miss R. Luciic Loban, Waterloo, Iowa : Mrs. Myrle L. Jones, Boone, Iowa Miss Marietta Eighme, Ottumwa, Iowa j The Town Omit Imlcijjinls' Union whr organized at Ames, Town, February 28. J : 1 !I2 J, for the -"study mid iirnlerliiiii of native birds and to promote fraternal re- | | lalmna mg Inwii bird si u din Is. ■ 'Ulus run I ml design of the Union's official sen! is Hie Eastern Goldfinch, designated : | Stale Bird of Iowa in JU:J3. | 1 'a Idirnlions or line Union: Mimeographed letters, 1923-1928; The Bulletin' ■ j 1 EI21I- J 1KKI : (own Hi id Life/ hughiimig lUTii. | SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $1.00 a. year (includes membership [ ■ dues). Single copies 25c each. Claims for missing- or defective 1 copies of the magazine should be made within six months of date j of issue. Keep the Editor informed of your correct address. EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION OFFICE WINTHROP, IOWA Enin rod ii x second class nmtlpr February 0. 1032, at the post office nt Winthrop. Iowa, under the Act of March 3, 1879. IOWA BIRD LIRE — XV, 1945 BIRD-CENSUS1NG AND ITS VALUES* By GEORGE O. HENDRICKSON Imvii St file Culk’gtt AMES, IOWA Censusing of a human population is an exact enumeration of indi- viduals together with definite information about numerous items such as age, place of residence and occupation. In that sense we cannot accurately speak of bird-censusing on a large scale. Estimate, inven- tory, and count are more applicable to our measurements of bird populations, although censusing is frequently used with a knowledge of its inaccurate usage. Many of us have questions about bird populations, such as how many are there in the state and nation, are birds decreasing or increasing, and are the species numbers changing. In attempts to partially answer such questions, the National Audubon Society initiated its Christmas Bird Count in 1900, In the first count 25 reports were sent in from 15 areas. The number of reports increased yearly until 1942, when for obvious reasons there was a decrease. The 1940 and 1941 counts, each with 327 reports, were the highest on record. A goal of 1000 reports a year may be reached some day. In the 1943 count 1840 ob- servers saw 2,555,000 individual birds of which about one-third were Mallards (Audubon Magazine 46 (1-Sect. 2): 1-04). To the Audubon Christmas count, 1943, from Iowa 9 reports were sent, which compares very favorably with other states in relation to human population. In the 1943 Christmas census reported in ‘Iowa Bird Life’ (14:8-10) 13 parties furnished counts, and two reports in the ‘Audubon Magazine' list were not in the ‘Iowa Bird Life’ article. In summary, 69 species were reported by 15 parties for Christmas, 1943, in the two magazines, Although the Christmas counts are not numerous samples, the trends shown are of interest as they have been summarized by Leonard Wing (Audubon Magazine 45:380-381), Excluding birds reported in rafts and roosts, the number seen per hour is about the same now as 40 years ago, 50-60 an hour. A total of 535 species were seen in the first 40 years of counts, of which 523 were native, 10 exotic, two feral, anti one extinct. The Heath Hen is the extinct species. Mute Swan and Rock Dove are the feral forms. The exotic species include Graying Goose, Hungarian Partridge, Ring-necked Pheasant, Golden Pheasant, Chinese Spotted Dove, Starling, English Sparrow, European Tree Spar- row, Chaffinch, and British Goldfinch. Nine widely distributed birds have been reported from more than 50 states and provinces. They arc English Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow, Horned Lark, Robin, and Slate-colored Junto. The upper 10 birds in order of frequency of occurrence (ratio of total census and censuses reporting the species) arc Downy Woodpecker, Song Sparrow, Crow, Hairy Woodpecker, Slate-colored Junco, While- breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Tree Sparrow, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. With regard to greatest rate at which species were seen per hour, the upper 10 in order are Red-winged Blackbird, Crow, Grackle (Florida, Bronzed and Purple), Slate-colored Junco, Robin, Tree Sparrow, Starling, English Sparrow, Scaup Duck (Greater and Lesser), and Mallard. Wing and Jonks (Bird Lore 41:343-350) in comparing the Audubon counts for the period 1919-V37 with those of 1900-’ 19 noted that Bob- whites had increased in 14 states including Iowa, remained about the ’’Tliis pni nr w.-is imwnlril on Hi c pi-ngnim nf Mm n mi uni rnn Ymilimi of Mm Tiiwn Ormllmlni'lslit' Mninn, si I TU* Mniimx, May 1 3, 1 D-M. Tim livo nrrnnipjinyiiiK illiiKtrnMims ni'e ri»|n-inli 4 ] from Town Comm: vnlmnist* Minna^li the roinlrfiy of 1 lie ItiVii iSUiU' {’misprVfilinu CmmniHsmii. BIRD-CENSUSING AND ITS VALUES o o same in five -states and Ontario, and had decreased in seven states and the District of Columbia, For the U, S. Biological Survey (now Fish and Wildlife Service), about 30 years ago Wells W. Cooke, assisted by numerous volunteers, began to conduct bird censuses of farm habitats and found the average farm harbored a summer breeding stock of about 2,25 birds an acre. May Thacher Cooke stated that such census information is essential to the proper administration of laws for the conservation of birds and that the work must continue for many years (U.S. D. Agric, Dept. Circ, 201). She also described the methods of taking a breeding-bird census. The National Audubon Society breeding-bird census started in 1937. The selection of an area, time and manner of counting and other de- tails of the 1944 census are given in ‘Audubon Magazine' 46: 187-189. This spring and summer census is more carefully taken than the Christ- mas count. The census-takers are advised to select habitats typical of large regions. The study area, we are told, should be restricted to a single environmental type, so far as possible, and ought to be one on which counts can be repeated annually. Five classes of birds are reported: (1) birds nesting and residing entirely within the area, (2) unmated birds defending territories inside the tract, (3) birds nesting in the area and feeding outside it, (4) birds nesting outside the area but visiting it for food or water, and (5) wandering birds that have not yet nested or may already have done so. The observer is advised to map the area and mark the site of each bird seen. At least five counts should be taken in the breeding season. The Audubon Society breeding-bird censuses, taken to date mostly in woodland habitats, have found about four birds to an acre in normal ungrazed woodlands. From Cooke's and the Society's data, Peterson (Audubon Magazine 43: 179-187) guessed we will find between five and six billion breeding birds in the United States. The recovery from RUFFED CJ ROUSE OX NEST "Tin' breeding bird ft- muse*, taken mostly in woodland habitats. have found about four Unis In jiii normal un^ra/ed woodlands." The RnlTrd tin-use is found us a In ii-iIhik; bird in tin- lu-avily Uiuheml seelions of norlhonstem Town. This unusual photo Ki*ii|'h wits taken in Allamakee Uoniilv, JHwa. 4 IOWA BIRD LIFE — XV, 1945 natural disasters in bird populations is very rapid as they recover within two to five years if summer conditions are suitable. The breeding-bird censuses have shown that bird populations on most plots of land change but little from year to year. That is, 100 acres of unchanged woodland has about the same number of birds from year to year. Some folk believe that there are more birds in North America now than there were when our continent was an unbroken wilderness. Others doubt that statement. More censuses are needed on virgin areas to enlarge the data around which the discussion revolves. The inter- pretation of the edge-effect is at the center of the discussion. Accord- ing to some a primeval forest with aged trees has many edges between its trees of various ages not found in second-growth woods. Others contend that the second-growth areas are so small in extent and inter- spersed so well between other plant formations that greater edge-effect is attained than in mature forests. Also, planted windbreaks, fence line and gully thickets, and city street and home plantings are added interspersions. More complete breeding censuses on large virgin grass and forested areas are needed on which to base estimates of our con- tinental bird population 500 years ago. The areas of virgin forest and grasslands are quite well known for that date. As Iowa was originally more of a prairie state than a forested region, we could assist if we had more large tracts of virgin prairie preserves on which to make breeding-bird studies. We are pleased to learn that the waterfowl population has recovered so well. Through news releases in the fall, 1943, Dr. Ira N. Gabrielson, Director, U, S, Fish and Wildlife Service, gave an estimate of 150.000. 000 waterfowl, and in the late winter, 1944, an estimate of 125.350.000, This shows a marked increase from the 1934-'35 low FINK PUCK SHOOTING — WITH A CAMERA ,k W(> sire plenacd to learn Unit lh<» waterfowl pojiuliition ha* recovered ho well , . . Most nuim-rous art’ Mallard, Pintail, Sniii|>R, Redhead, Riihlimtr si ml Pluck Puck.” SPRING CONVENTION ANNOUNCEMENTS estimate of 27,000,000 waterfowl. Now, he tells us, the number is about the same as it was in the early 1020’s, Most numerous in order are Mallard with 25-40 million birds, Pintail with about 20 million in- dividuals, Scaups, Redhead, Baldpate, and Black Duck. Canvasback and Ruddy Duck are increasing. Teals, Gad wall, and Shoveler show slight decreases from last year's numbers. Canada, White-fronted and, Blue Geese increased, whereas Snow, Ross’s and Cackling Geese de- clined during the past year. Whistling Swan showed some decline in 1943, but all the suitable winter quarters for the species are occupied now. Hence, to increase the swan's numbers, more wintering habitat must be supplied. American Coot, with marked increase in recent years, now numbers about 20,000,000. Although the waterfowl populations estimates are far from exact enumerations, the figures are better than some believe them to be. To gain the information needed on which to base estimates, several methods are used and throughout the year. First, each State Conservation Commission or game department gathers data on the numbers of waterfowl seen in fall and late winter, as well as the legal fall take of waterfowl locally through its Conservation Officers or game wardens assisted by volunteer observers. At each national waterfowl refuge and at many state refuges counts are made periodically in all seasons of the year, and the numbers of young are estimated along with the adults. Federal and state conservation employees estimate the numbers in spring and fall migration while they guard the birds against illegal hunters. In the summer several U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service em- ployees scout the Canadian and Alaskan breeding grounds for environ- mental conditions as well as numbers of adult and young waterfowl. Many Canadian citizens as well as their government cooperate in these numerous local summer observations and counts. In winter Federal employees fly over the southern wintering grounds, observe the con- centrations of waterfowl and estimate the numbers. Numerous photo- graphs of the grouped waterfowl are taken from which additional esti- mates arc made. Local and U. S. Federal employees cooperate in winter counts in Mexico. In addition the Lincoln waterfowl population index is used. As thousands of waterfowl are banded yearly and many of the bands arc returned, Lincoln estimated the number killed a year by hunters to be about 12 per cent of the fall population. The data ob- tained in these several ways are checked and compared in the prepara- tion of the final waterfowl population estimates. The censuses and counts conducted by our organization, as well as those sponsored by the National Audubon Society, are dependent on you many local observers. Counting the birds is fun in itself. Seeing them in certain plant habitats and repeatedly from year to year adds to the recreational joy of bird observation. Lending assistance to your local State Conservation Officer in the waterfowl censuses will be stimulating to you and measurably helpful to the U. S. Fish and Wild- life Service and to the Iowa Conservation Commission as guardians of our waterfowl. THE SPRING CONVENTION AND Til E ANNUAL BIRD CENSUS ANNOUNCEMENT By J. HAROLD ENNIS You are urged to reserve Sunday, May fi, on your calendar as the date of the annual convention of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Our host is the Ottumwa Bird Club, and an interesting program is assured. When ODT requested large conventions to cancel this year's meet- ings, an inquiry among our officers revealed a nearly unanimous request to meet this spring. Members seem to feel that because our member- IOWA BIRD LIFE— XV, 1945 ^hip clearly fell outside the ODT limit and that hindrance of the war effort was not involved, the convention should not be dropped. The Ottumwa Bird Club has set up tentative plans for a “stream- lined" program. There probably will be no formal papers presented, but a full day is scheduled for May G. In addition to a trip planned to Lake Wapello Sunday, an informal reception is scheduled for the evening of May 5. If there is any possibility of your attendance this year, please write Charles C. Ayres, Jr. The'nature of the food situa- tion is such that an accurate estimate of the attendance is necessary. Secretaries of the various bird dubs are urged to poll their member- ships and inform Mr. Ayres at Ottumwa immediately, A second general announcement of importance to the Iowa Ornith- ologists' Union is the 1945 Spring Bird Count. This is our third annual spring census. Mr. Myrle L. Jones, Ledges State Park, Boone, Iowa, has again consented to compile your lists. The rules are very simple and may be studied more fully in the March, 1943, and March, 1944, issues of ‘Iowa Bird Life’, They may be summarized as follows: 1, Dates — May 11, 12, and 13 (Choose any one of these days). 2, Time — Four-hour minimum, 3, General data desired — Describe territory covered, weather con- ditions, number of observers, number of hours in the field, num- ber of miles covered on foot and by other means. 4. Census data desired — Names of all species observed, arranged in official A. O. U. order. Awuibrr of individuals of each species seen. The letters “C" for counted, or “E” for estimated, may be added to the number of each species, 5. Care should be taken to record only positive identifications. 6. Mail your* reports to Mr. Jones, Ledges State Park, Boone, Iowa, before June 1, Members of the Union are urged to participate in the spring count. This group project is not only highly enjoyable to those participating, but it is of scientific value as well. THE 1944 CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS IN IOWA Compiled by FRED J. PIERCE December in Iowa was a cold, severe month. Snow which came at Thanksgiving over much of the state was augmented by frequent snows all through December. There was quite steady cold and several sub- zero waves. Christmas week was unfavorable for bird trips in most sections of the state, but our members demonstrated their unflagging interest by taking the usual Christmas bird census in spite of adverse weather conditions. We received reports from nearly all areas repre- sented in other years (Cedar Falls, Tama and Waterloo were not heard from). The total Iowa list of 57 species is very satisfactory. We recommend a careful study of the tabulated censuses, which no doubt present an accurate cross-section of bird life in Iowa during Decem- ber, 1944. The Editor feels that directional prefixes to bird names are unnec- essary in compiling lists of birds observed in the field. These are omitted in our list. Since there is a great deal of uncertainty as to which subspecies of Horned Lark and Chickadee may be found in the different corners of the state, the species name only has been given. Data on place, time, weather and the observers who reported ate given below. (Hours are given in Central War Time.) ATLANTIC (Atlantic evergreen wooded cemetery; woods along Nishnabotna River west of town; woods along Turkey Creek east of town; deciduous woodland 75%, pastureland 15%/ pine woodland 10%) : Dec. 31; 9:30 a. m. to 4:30 p. in. Clear most of day; streams mostly frozen; wind w., n. w., 15 m. p. h.; temp. 15"; total party miles, CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS <£ : '5 CS © 6 OS © u m J S 22 a- 1 PQ-y: 1-, T T B » 2 ft 2 i & 14 (jt-i r' rt 1 5 o .20 >! £3 © m 1 y, o o® « 2 *c s, £0 Mnlbinl I American Alei'Kaiisci 1 . . . -1 . . i - . . 1 . . . Jletl-I ailed IJawk . , 7 . . 1 . , l[ . . 2 . .2 . . 1 . . J . 1* . .3 & Sparrow Hawk .............. . .ii u . .ii io . . 1 ' * 1 ‘ P Kiny-nccked Pheasant .20 | . .2 . . i .24 Screech Oivl - - fc ■ 1 . . 1 2 . . , , . 1 . . , 3 . . , 1 . .2 , . 1 Burred Owl Suw-wliet Owl ............... . .5| ' ‘ “ Mil ker 25 i ..ii . .21 . 12 . . . , .5 . . 1 ... 5 .... l . .1 Red -bellied Woodpecker , ,5 . M . 10 . .4 i a Ii , , .2 - ■ + Yellow-bellied Kapsucker ...... 1 7 . .3 0 J . . 1 i 2 ! ! i 7 , , . . . Downy Wuudperker . 20 ■ -4 . . 7 .40 . .0 . 4 a 2 . ,y . .47 i ! ! i-i . .1 Blue Jay . 14 . .u .15 .17 .30 .7 . . J . . b . . Ii ... 3 .... i a- , * * Crn^ . 10 . 15 .14 . r>8 4 K0 . 10 .1H . .0 .25 . .50 10000 i iy Oliickiidee . 100 . . 0 .20 2 M2 . s 2 .30 .24 . 1 1 .45 . .93 . 2 . 12 . .3 . in White-breasted NuLliatch . 15 , - 5 .12 .04 . is , , 3 . .40 1 |‘> ‘> . . . .i ] ?* * ... . 1* . 12 o *> ■> , , i Northern Shrike ■ ■ . 120 .2 .07 ' 20 . 75 1 - - 1.17 20 ^TTs i i i i ! . i 2 s id Bullish Sparrow - ■ 200 ion . 50 . 50 1 182 . S4 .75 . 4 00 . 1 H ltusty Blackbird . , . Bronxcd («i urkle . , 1 I- ■ * . 70 . 15 22 ! 35 ! ! \i - - - . io | . .1 . . 3 1H8 , , . H * . . . . 15 Goldfinch . .4 251 . .1 .3 . . 14 SI iilc-rnlored JunrO ........... JOU . 50 1140 :i:i l . ay .37 .15 , 05 .113 Tree Spur row - . .0 4 IS .50 . 00 - 10 . . 1 . 52 . ,7H . .200 Harris’}* Sparrow .25 Number of Species .27 .201 , 2:i ,3H .24 2 5 . 1 8 . 17 .22 . .25 . . .13 ... ,2 . * 8 Number of Observers ......... . ,‘J I - - 5 . .0 . .7 i . . 5 , . . - 8 *Kco ilula under slulitm in body of article, Tntnl I iin’a List .07 species. it 52 (33 on foot, 10 in car). Observers in 3 groups. Mr. and Mrs. Manney MaUette, Frank G. Mallette, Chas. Mallette, Chas. C. Ruhr, Norman Hansen, Robt. Alexander, Glen O. Jones, Don C. Bice (At- lantic Bird Club). „ A _ A BACKBONE STATE PARK (Delaware Co.): Dec. 24 ; 10:30 a. m. to 5 p. m. Cloudy all day but sun out briefly at 4:30 p. m.; 8 in. snow on the level with some drifts; light s, w. wind; temp, 18° at start, 22 IOWA BIRD LIFE — XV, 1045 at i etui n; about 3 miles on foot, 45 by car; trip included an auto trip tiom Wmthrop to the park and return, with roadside birds included in the census. Observers together. M, L. Jones, F. J. Pierce. CEDAR RAPIDS (Ellis Park, Cedar Lake, Mound Farm woods, Bever Park Beverly); Dec 24; 9:30 a. m. to 12:30 p. m., 1:30 to 5 p. m. OJoucly all day, with light snow in a. m. ; ground covered with snow very light s. wind changing to s. w.; temp. 14° at start, 20" at return; total loot mileage per person, 5; by car, 15 miles. Hazel Cook, Earnest St ^ ff en Iola TiJJapaugh, Myra Willis, Lillian Serbousek. DES MOINES (Dove Woods along Beaver Creek, Crocker Woods, Waukonsa, woods along Des Moines River from Euclid Ave to Lov- mgton, Morningstar, Ashworth Park) : Dec. 24; 8:30 a. m. to G;30 p. m. Cloudy except tor short period at midday; 4-5 in. packed snow covered with l 1 ^ in. new snow; no wind; temp. 18' at start, 24' at return; es ’ (^1 on 70 by car). Observers in 4 groups Albert C. Berko witz, Jack Musgrove, Woodward Brown, Olivia McCabe Btuce F. Stiles, Mrs, Lester W. Haskell, Joe K. Brown, Dr, Robt Vane’ Mrs. Harold R. Peasley. DUBUQUE (Lin wood and ML Calvary Cemeteries, Eagle Point Park Mississippi River sloughs in Wisconsin): Dec. 31; 9 a. m. to 12 1*30 to 3:30 p m. Foggy with mist in a. m., clearing in p. m.; 7 in.’ snow on ground; n. w. wind, 5-10 m. p. h.; temp. 30° to 21*; 9 miles on foot, 0 miles by car Observers together. Mrs. Myrtle Dockal, Jas. Dockal, Mrs. Pauline Reugnitz, Ival Schuster, Henry Herrmann, David Reed Geo. Crossley. The Brown Thrasher observed was evidently an injured bird not able to migrate. KEOSAUQUA (along Des Moines River and in Kcosauqua State Park): Dec. 27; 8 to 11 a. m., 1 to 4 p. m. Cloudy, with light snow iamng in a. m. ; snow on ground; moderate w. wind; temp 50' War- ren N. Keck. LEDGES STATE PARK (Boone Co.): Dec. 27; 9:30 a. m. to 12:30 5‘ ' ®. to 4 m ‘ Most1 ^ clea r; 12 in. snow on ground; temp. 20 at start, 24° at return; total foot mileage per person, 4; 20 miles ?/ ca *l within the park and vicinity. Observers together. Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Jones. MOUNT VERNON (through town and north 3 miles, including golf course; west 1 mile to Leigh School; south of town 6 miles to Cedar River, and through length of Dark Hollow in Palisades State Park' open farm land 60%^ town 5%, swampy pastureland 5%, deciduous timber along river 30%) : Dec. 30; 7 % hours. Cloudy; snow on ground; river argely frozen over; wind 1-7 m. p. h.; temp. 28 s ; 6M- hours on toot, 1 in car. Observers together. David and J. Harold Ennis I he Bald Eagle was seen along the Cedar River near the dam, where the open water undoubtedly attracted it. On Dec. 31, I saw 2 adult and 3 immature Bald Eagles at the same location along Cedar River* white heads of adults were clearly seen, This was the first time I had seen Bald Eagles in this locality. (J. H. E.). The Winter Wrens were observed at close range darting in and out from under tree roots along the edge of Dark Hollow; this is the second winter I have observed them in Palisades State Park. (J H E ) OTTUMWA (Community Gardens and woods aiong' Des Moines IDver east of town; also by car to Lake Wapello; scrub-oak adjoining Des Monies River 75%, sandy island covered with willows small trees and weedy underbrush 15%, farm land 10%) : Dec. 24; 9:30 a. m to 7 p. nu Cloudy; snow on ground; streams and ponds mostly frozen- c V1I Y C ’ U7 h ' ; tem P- 20 ' J at Rtart ’ - 4 * at return; 5 miles on foot 4 0 by car. Observers together, Chas. C. Ayres, Jr., Pearle C Walker, Lawrence Voss, Billie Hoskins, Norman Crow. The two Carolina Wrens were together and were watched for a con- siderable length oi time as they hopped among the exposed roots of TRIALS OF A BIRD-BANDER’S WIFE 9 some trees along a small creek. From time to time they would utter a short mellow call-note. On Dec. 17 Voss and Ayres observed two Caiolina Wrens in the same locality, SIOUX CITY (Brown’s Lake area, War Eagle’s Monument Park woods, confluence area of Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers, Lower River- side, River view Park, Riverside Park, Grace land Park Cemetery, Grandview Park, North Side, West Side, Stone Park; hilly woodland, mature deciduous virgin heavy timber 60%, lake and river country and lowland 25%, open hills 107*, town 15%) : Dec 24; 9 a. m. to 6:30 p. m. Clear; 3.2 in. soft snow on ground; all lake water frozen over except two spots where Mallards kept it open, Missouri River 50% frozen over and Big Sioux 80%; wind s. until 11:45 a, m. f then veering to s.w., w. and n.w., due n. at 2:30 p. in., 1-12 m. p, h, ; temp, 6°-2G°; total miles, 14 by foot. Observers working alone most of the time. E. R. Birdsall, Mrs. Mamie W. Brown, R. D. Hissong, Karl Kuhlmann, Zell C. Lee, Mrs. J. L. Schott, Bertha Well hausen, Carl Well hausen (Members and guest, Sioux City Bird Club). SIOUX CITY TO HORNICK (an auto trip of 54 miles in central Woodbury County, Sioux City to Hoi nick via Missouri River bottoms and return) : Dec. 24. Clear; light snow on ground; thawing a little. Mr, and Mrs. Wm. Youngworth. SPIRIT LAKE (country calls by doctor, covering about GO miles, also a walk ol' an hour; list includes one bird seen at feeding-station at home) : Dec. 24. Dr. and Mrs. F. L. IL Roberts. TRIALS OP A BIRD-BANKER’S WIFE* By MRS. M. L. JONES Jjfrf gen Hi ah' I’nrk UUOKIO, IOWA “Do you help your husband band birds? How interesting it must be. I would just LOVE to band birds too.” Invariably that question and comment comes after one of my husband’s talks on bird -banding. Eager women ply me with questions: “Don’t you just love to hold the little soft birds in your hands? Aren’t they terribly frightened? Do you put the bands on too? What fun it must be. Would I be in the way if I went along some time?” (They never go. Always too much else to do). What did my husband tell them to so arouse their enthusiasm? He told them about the time in April when we had a late snow storm that stayed on a whole week. He banded over 200 birds that week. But he never told that when the snow melted he carried in half the garden on his shoes. Of course, he olfered to lock the traps while he was in school, but there was always the possibility that some rare bird would *' Jlir iliiifr with »n Expert’, 1 j v Min, .Tones. published in tin- December, 1 issue of ■low» Jlird l/ife', wns enjoyed hy so many penplr find h rough I mi iiilh-Ii fnvnnPde emmuent, we derided In reprint tlu* above itrlirle, which appeared in ’Nature N'olrs' ( Proriii, 111 )' Vnl. 0. No. I, -J ilium ry, 1012, pp. JG when even the creeks were dry. There was one day the temperature rose to 117 degrees, and since that was a Sunday, it was bird-banding day. (We were at summer school). The creek was absolutely dry, so the traps were set in the creek-bed and baited with water. Of course we caught many birds — several we had not caught before such as Phoebe Wood Thrush, Indigo Bunting, several Cardinals, both Yellow-billed and Black- billed Cuckoos, and a Red-eyed Vireo, and nearly caught a Wood- cock but he was smart enough to go in when the trap'was locked open It was all very interesting, but imagine walking up and down the sands of a dry cruek-bed in the sun when it is 117 in the shade! During the hottest part of the afternoon we discovered a Hummin«*- bird fluttering in one trap, but he hadn’t closed the door behind him A handful of sand carefully aimed did that. Banding a Hummingbird is like repairing a small wrist watch with a ear wrench* To keen from losing him before he was banded, we sat in the car with windows closed and the ear was in the sun, I had to use a towel to mop perspiration to keep the bander from drowning the bird. There is no limit to the birds that can be banded ir you go whe"c they are. My bird-banding husband decided one day he ‘would like to TRIALS OF A BIRD-RANDER’S WIFE 11 band Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Banding nestlings is not the best thing to do, but wc knew a swamp where they were just leaving the nests. We waded in water up to our arm-pits for six hours picking young Yellow-heads from the reeds, and it wasn’t a nice sandy bottom — it was sticky, oozy mud. Anything carried, such as bands and record-books, had to be carried in the hat or held at arms-length above our heads. It would have been easier walking if we could have used our hands for paddles, but wet hands and record-books just don't go together, and records must be kept. Any bird student knows birds arc most active early in the morning — which means that is the best time to catch them, and also means that in spring a bird-bander must get up at 4 a.m. in order to get breakfast over, lunch packed and get to the banding territory by daybreak. Many banders are content to set their traps in their own back-yard but, you know, far fields are always greener. It’s hard to get up at 4 a.m, when you know everyone else will sleep two or three hours longer. There are some times when the thrill is greater than the discomfort. There was the time when wc had only one trap set in the fall. I glanced out the window and saw a dull red bird in it At first I thought it was an escape from the cage of a local bird fancier, but after closer inspec- tion I remembered having seen pictures of a bird like this called the Red Crossbill. That’s what it was. XL stayed around for two days after it was banded (and went to Scout meeting), and even brought its mate but we did not catch her. They are the only ones I have ever seen. Another time a Myrtle Warbler decided to stay with us after re- ceiving its band. Instead of flying away when it was released it perched on my husband’s finger. I held my finger by his and it hopped to my finger. I passed it back to him and a moment later it flew and lit on my binoculars that were hanging around my neck. I took it on my IOWA BIRD LIFE— XV, 1945 1*J finger anti passed it back once more. We placed it on a post and finally, when it showed no signs of Hying, crowded it off to see if it could fiy. It flew to a small tree and leisurely hopped from one branch to another until it reached a higher tree farther away. I have never watched the antics of a fellow-breasted Chat, but I have held two of them in my hands. Everyone thinks it very amusing to hear about banding birds in a cemetery on a dark night. Here's how it’s done. In the fall when the birds are migrating, there are usually a few nights when a cold wind is blowing and there is both rain and snow in the air. Pick out the worst night, take a flashlight and a small step-ladder and go to a cemetery where there are plenty of evergreen trees. If you are quiet enough and quick enough, you can hold the flashlight beam on a sleeping bird and grab him before he knows what is happening. After an hour of being whipped by a cold wind, you may have 10 or 12 birds to band — if you are lucky. You may hear shrieks from passersby when the flashlight beam is seen in the dark cemetery, but that doesn't stop the bird-bander. Since I am the bird-bander's secretary, it falls to my lot to see that the records are sent in twice a year. Sometimes I have help, but it usually takes all the spare time 1 can give it in a week each time the record of numbers is sent in to Washington. Those arc just a few of the trials of a bird-bander's wife and I doubt if anyone will tell me this time they want to band birds. But I know what you are thinking. You are probably saying — If it is such a terrible ordeal, why don't you stay home and let the bird-bander do his own work? There is just one answer— because I am just as interested in birds as he is and I am afraid if I slay home he will see something I have never seen. GENERAL NOTES A 1931 Avocet Record for Burlington.— Records for the Avocet in Iowa are very scarce, and it therefore seems desirable to place the below record for this species in permanent printed form. In looking through my letters, I find one from the late Kitty L. Tiedemann, of Burlington, Iowa, dated October 10, 1932, in which she writes of the Avocet as follows: “A beautiful male Avocet was shot by a citizen of Burlington, Iowa, while hunting ducks on the banks of the Mississippi just south of the city on November 10, 1931, The Avocet alighted near the bank with a flock of Mallards, and the strange bird attracted the hunter’s atten- tion. After the bird was shot and picked up, the man was surprised to find that he did not know what it was, and he brought it to me to iden- tify. I wanted to send the skin to the Iowa City museum, but I could not persuade him to let me have it," — 0. P. ALLERT, McGregor, Iowa. Bird Records for Northern Iowa. — On September 20, 1944, we ob- served a Prairie Falcon on Prairie Lake, near Terrill in Dickinson County, Iowa. It was seen at close range in approximately the same area where a specimen of this species was collected on September 25, 1943. Another Prairie Falcon was observed near Algonu, Kossuth County, September 22, 1944. At Prairie Lake we also recorded a Pigeon Hawk, a Swainson’s Hawk and an Osprey on September 20, 1944, and the Osprey returned to fish in the lake the next day. On October 7, 1944, at Eagle Lake, Hancock County, Iowa, a male Avocet in fall plumage was observed and collected. Satisfactory identification was made in all the records. — JACK W. and MARY R. MUSGROVE, Des Moines, Iowa. NECROLOGY 13 Old-squaw and Arctic Towhee at Spirit Lake. — On November 11, 1044, we saw two Old-squaws on Spirit Lake. The only previous record we have had was of one Old-squaw seen on November 27, 1941, which w r c have not heretofore reported. We saw an Arctic Towhee just outside our window, 3 feet from where we stood, December 10 f 1944. As the bird has been previously recorded m Iowa, is easily identified, and as we have become familiar with it on ranch vacations in Wyoming during the past two years, we feel that this is a satisfactory record.- — DR. AND MRS. F.' L. R. ROBERTS Spirit Lake, Iowa. Mockingbird Seen at Independence. — On June 27, 1944, I walked to the creek at the east edge of this city, in company with my two grand- children and two other children. While the children were wading, I watched a bird, strange to me, which was perched in a medium-sized tree about 25 feet from where I sat 1 had brought with me a low- powered field glass, and with it I studied the bird for five minutes and made careful mental notes of all details of its plumage. When I ar- rived at home I consulted Forbush's ‘Natural History of the Birds of Eastern and Central North America* . I found the Mockingbird pictured and described exactly as I had seen it 1 believe this is the first record for Buchanan County, Iowa.— ROBERT B. TABOR, Independence, Iowa. Fall Notes from Northwest Iowa. — While on several pheasant hunt- ing trips in northwest Iowa in the fall of 1944, I noticed a marked in- crease in the numbers of Crows, hawks and owls, mostly due to the shortage of shells. Most hunters won’t waste 10c shells on hawks and owls now, and also let the Crows go. 1 saw hundreds of Rough-legs, Red-tails, Marsh Hawks, Sparrow Hawks and some numbers of Short- eared Owls. In past years I have seen dozens of dead hawks hanging on fences — the mark of the passing hunter. Last fall very few hawks were hanging on fences. Up to December 1, 1944, the north counties of Iowa were full of Slate-colored Juncos, Harris’s Sparrows, Meadowlarks, and blackbirds of various species (especially Rusties), while thousands of Lapland Longspurs had come down. Goldfinches were very common. The prize record was a male Mourning Warbler in full fall plumage on November 19, near George, Lyon County. I followed this bird along a fence-row for several hundred feet, and often approached within 10 feet. It was not injured, flew well, appeared in bright color and seemed to be well fed. Weather had been nice up to that time and I called it just a late straggler. In some places I found considerable numbers of Blue- birds. Also on November 19, in the same locality near George Iowa I saw a lone Golden Plover.— WM. YOUNG WORTH, Sioux City', Iowa! Correction. — Mrs. Harold R. Peasley informs us that in her article ‘The Saw-whet Owl in Polk County, Iowa’, pp. 42-45 in the September! 1944, issue of ‘Iowa Bird Life’, the hours were given as “Central Stand- ard war time”. This should read “Central Standard time”, omitting the word “war”. — Ed. NECROLOGY Walter L. Burk, of Vinton, died November 1G, 1944, at the age of about 51. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burk and was a resident of Vinton all his life. In early childhood he was badly crippled by an attack of infantile paralysis. He never married and lived a rather secluded life. Finding companionship in birds, bird study de- veloped into one of his chief interests. Known as the “bird man” of Vinton, people turned to him for information about birds. One of his friends said: “He had the eye of the naturalist and remembered all the birds he had ever seen. Whenever we wanted to know about the local fauna we would ask Walter Burk.” 14 IOWA BIRD LIFE— XV, 1945 After the death of his father, Mr. Burk and his mother lived in the old home, behind which lay a ravine covered with much undergrowth and numerous trees near the Cedar River. In this natural bird sane tuarv mother and son erected feeding devices which attracted many birds. They derived a great deal of pleasure from watching the birds that were always present on their grounds. After Mrs, Burk s death a year or two ago, the old home was abandoned and the son s decline As a member of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union, which be joined in 1031 Mr Burk was a loyal and valuable member. He solicited mem- berships very actively in and around Vinton. At one tune Vinton had a total membership of 34, the largest for any city in Iowa, due almost entirely to his elforts. When the memberships expired the following year, he called on each member and collected the dues for the new yeai, Walter Burk was devoted to our organization and we regret his passing. — F. J, P. Mr. and Mrs. William Buiby, of Boone, died of heart attacks on December 2 1944. Mr. Buzby became a member of the Iowa Ornith- ologists’ Union in 1932, Mrs. Buzby in 1929. They attended a num- ber of our conventions and Mrs. Buzby contributed occasional notes to Towa Bird Life'. They intended to establish a new home in the West. At the time of their death they had a portion of their belongings packed in readiness for departure. V “ * ’ ‘ " the He 42 years --—e— --- -> - - T , , r , . married Miss Bertha Rugger in 1912. A son, Walter Buzby, died at birth, February 6, 1917. There were no other children. Bertha Catherine Rugger, (laughter of Adam and Carrie Rugger, was parents to Chicago, — — . ^ tirely at Boone except for a few years in which they lived at Tama. Mr. and Mrs. Buzby were members of the First Methodist Church oi Boone, and they held membership in many local organizations. They J v n f r ■ .. U»i/1 Amin n ■ c* t C sanctuary which attracted both resident and transient birds. A Buzbv was a fluent letter writer and enjoyed describing her bird periences in letters to friends. Burial was in Lmwood Park Cemetery, Boone, December 7, following double funeral services at First Metho- dist Church. — F. J. P. MEMBERSHIP NEWS A new member, Frank Only, of Los Gatos, California, writes; T was father was the first land owner -- _ J ^ . . Althea Sherman at her old home in July of 1942, my first trip back to IL^W. Turnbull, a Diagonal, Iowa, member, writes a weekly column of bird notes for the ‘Diagonal Reporter, which ^ published by her husband. We have read several of her newspaper articles and have found them well filled with interesting and useful bird lore. Mrs. Turnbull, in sharing her bird experiences with a wide circle of readers, is doing a fine piece of educational work m that community. THE CONSTITUTION 15 Dr, and Mrs, Ivan L, Boyd, of Baldwin, Kansas, former Iowa mem- bers, sent a copy of their bird census, taken at Baldwin on December 27. Eight members of the Baldwin Bird Club participated and 33 species were listed. This is a new bird club organized in November, largely through the efforts of the Boyds, This enthusiastic bird-student couple dreamed of a local bird club for three years before organization was realized. Thirteen persons attended the initial meeting. The first program meeting was held in December and was a decided success. Eaily in November a group of Baldwin bird lovers drove to Lake Qui- vera, 50 miles distant, and enjoyed an outing with the Burroughs Nature Club of Kansas City. The Boyds write that they know of only one other bird dub in Kansas — in Topeka. Success of the Baldwin dub seems assured. We congratulate our old friends on their good work. The statistics of our membership roll always make an interesting study, and we should like to call attention to a few figures. We have had an increase of 23 members since the last list was published {in December, 1943, issue). The total Iowa membership is now 179 (which does not include Iowa members in military service). There are 11 cities in Iowa which have five or more members. These cities (account- ing for 108 of the 179 Iowa total) are listed below, with the number of members credited to each. Ames, 6 Davenport, 5 Independence, 7 Sioux City, 8 Burlington, 5 Des Moines, 22 Mt, Vernon, 6 Waterloo, 15 Cedar Rapids, 22 Dubuque, 7 Ottumwa, 5 CONSTITUTION OU THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION Prepared by a Committee of the Union, appointed May 10, 1941 by (then) President W. N. Keck; the committee consisting of 0, S. Thomas, Chairman, W. M. Rosene, and F. L. R, Roberts. Approved, after minor changes, by the Union in convention at Waterloo, May 9, 1942. Present form prepared by F. L. R. Roberts and Mary P. Roberts. Approved by the officers, including the Executive Council, as directed by the Waterloo Convention, Final adoption made at the Cedar Rapids Convention, May 10, 1943. ARTICLE I. A T amr am} Objrvt Section 1. This association shall be known as the Iowa Ornitholo- gists’ Union. Section 2. Its aims shall be to promote the study of ornithology by more closely uniting the students of this branch of natural history and to encourage the study of birds in the State of Iowa. ARTICLE II. Members Section 1. Any student of ornithology 16 years of age or older is eligible to membership as an active member of the Union. All active members shall have the right to vote and shall be eligible to hold office and to serve on committees. Section 2. Any person less than 16 years of age is eligible to mem- bership as a junior member. Junior members shall not have the right to vote, hold office, nor serve on committees. No person 16 years of age or older may be a junior member. Section 3. Applicants may be admitted to active or junior member- ship in the Union upon the recommendation of an active member, the approval of the President, and payment of dues as provided in Article VIII. Section 4. Active and junior members shall receive the publication 'Iowa Bird Life’. Section 5. Any person whose dues are six months past due shall automatically be dropped from membership. IOWA BIRD LIFE— XV, 1945 If) Section G. A member may be deprived of membership, for cause, by vote of two-thirds of the members voting at the annual meeting, providing a quorum is present and voting. ARTICLE III. Quorum Section 1. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be the active members present at any annual meeting, provided the number is not less than nine. Section 2, A quorum of the Executive Council shall be not less than two-thirds of the members of the Council; but business, including vot- ing, which properly may be carried on by the Council, may be done by the Council through correspondence when expedient to do so. ARTICLE IV. OJJi errs and Cam miff tex Section 1. The officers of this Union shall be a President, a Vice- President, a Secretary-Treasurer, an Editor, a Librarian, and an Ex- ecutive Council. Section 2. The Executive Council shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Librarian, Editor, and three addi- tional members. Section 3. Past Presidents of the Union shall be honorary members of the Executive Council and shall act in an advisory capacity. Section 4. Committees shall be appointed by the President, except such committees as may be especially provided for at the annual meet- ings. ARTICLE V. of Officrrx and Commit trot Section 1. Duties of the President. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Union, to appoint committees as provided in Article IV, Section 4, and to perform such other duties as may properly pertain to the office. He shall be responsible for the preparation of the program of the annual meeting, with the help of such committees as he may wish to appoint. He shall have power to call a meeting of the Executive Council or, to secure the vote or opinion of the Council through correspondence. Section 2. Duties of the Vice-President, It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to act in the absence or incapacity of the President. Section 3. Duties of the Secretary-Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to keep a record of all meetings of the Union and of business transacted by the Executive Council, to conduct the general correspondence of the Union, to receive and have charge of all moneys of the Union, to pay such bills as are endorsed by the President or the Editor, and to perform such other duties as properly pertain to his office. Section 4. Duties of the Editor, It shall be the duty of the Editor to superintend the periodical publications of the Union. Section 5, Duties of the Librarian. It shall be the duty of the Librarian, with the approval of the President and the Secretary-Treas- urer, to collect, preserve, and supervise the use of records relative to Iowa ornithology having historical or scientific value. Such records shall be placed in a public institution having facilities for preserving and handling them. The records shall remain the property of the Union and shall be deposited in the institution which the current Librarian may elect Section G. Duties of the Executive Council. It shall be the duty of the Executive Council to fix the date and place of the annual meet- ing if such has not been determined at the preceding annual meeting, to audit the books of the Secretary-Treasurer as directed by the Presi- dent, and to fill by appointment any offices which shall become vacant during the year. ARTICLE VI. IClrcfinn of Officers and Commit tra* Section 1. All officers including members of the Executive Council shall be elected at the annual meeting, a majority vote of the voting members present being necessary for election. MEMBERSHIP ROLL 17 Section 2. The term of office of all officers, including members of the Executive Council, and members of all standing and special committees shall extend from the end of the annual meeting at which they were elected or appointed, or from any subsequent time of appointment, to the end of the next annual meeting. Section 3. Nominations of officers, including members of the Ex- ecutive Council, shall be made by a nominating committee of three members appointed by the President at the opening session of the an- nual meeting. The nominating committee shall meet immediately alter the close of the first session. At such meeting any active member may appear and propose the names of members for nomination for any offices. The nominating committee shall report its nominations and the names of any other members proposed to it for nomination to offices. Nominations may also be made from the floor before or during elections. ARTICLE VII. Meetings Section 1. Annual Meeting. There shall be an annual meeting of the Union in each month of May. It shall be called by the President for such time and place as shall have been fixed at the preceding annual meeting or as the Executive Council shall decide. Section 2. Special Meetings, With the approval of the Executive Council the President may call special meetings of the Union. ARTICLE VIII. Ititcn and sUtttrsxmcntx Section 1. The annual dues of active members shall be one dollar. Section 2. The annual dues of junior members shall be fifty cents. Section 3. All dues shall be due on January first. ARTICLE IX. Amendmnits Section 1. Amendments to this constitution may be adopted by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting members present at any annual meeting, providing a quorum is voting. MEMBERSHIP ROLL OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION* CHARTER MEMBERS (1923) Bailey, Mrs. Mary L., Sioux City Palas, Arthur ^., Postville Banning, R. H., Cresco Battell, Mrs. F. L., Ames Bennett, Walter W., Los Angeles, Calif. Kinnaird, Mrs, W. A., West Des Moines Mills, Wier R., Pierson x cudo f r±L uiui ^ * i * u °vt(hv Pierce, Fred J., Winthrop Spiker, Chas, J., Branchport, N. Y. Stephens, Dr, T. C., Sioux City Wendelburg, Mrs. Toni R., Des Moines Wolden, B. O., Estherville Aikman, Mrs. Ella, Ames, 1945 Allert, Oscar P., McGregor, 1929 An del son, Mrs. L. S., Rolfe, 1944 Anderson, Dr. Rudolph M., Ot- tawa, Canada, 1942 Austin, Mrs. E. J., Charles City, 1942 Austin, Dr. O. L., Tuckahoe, N. Y. t 1931 MEMBERS J.U IbM Ayres, Charles C., Jr,, Ottumwa, 1941 Baker, Alice M., Mt, Vernon, 1945 Barlow, Mrs. John, Waterloo, '42 Bartlett, Wesley II., Eagle Grove, 1935 Baumgartner, Miss Josephine, Des Moines, 1942 Becker, Miss Hilda, Davenport, ’26 *Oc>™|il,le to l-YWiiiirv 1 5. 1m1i'