IOWA BIRD LIFE PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION VOL. XVI JUNE, 1946 NO. 2 OFFICERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION President— Charles C. Ayres, Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa Vice-President— Dr. Robert F. Vane, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Secy-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 Executive Council: John C. W Bliese, Cedar Falls, Iowa Dr. Peter P. Laude, Iowa City, Iowa Mrs. Janet DuMont, Des Moines, Iowa The Iowa Ornithologists’ Union was organized at Ames, Iowa. February 28, 1923, for the study ami protection of native birds and to promote fraternal re- lations among Iowa bird students. The central design of the Union's official seal is the Eastern Goldfinch, desig- nated State Bird of Iowa in 1333 Publications of the Union ; Mimeographed letters, 1 i>23 ■ 102S ; The Bulletin/ 1929-L930 ; Towa Bird Life.' beginning 1&31. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $1.00 a year (includes membership dues). Single copies 25c each Claims for missing or defective ; copies of the magazine should be made within six months of date = of issue. Keep the Editor informed of your correct address. < EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION OFFICE WINTHROP, IOWA I Entered as second-class matter February 9, 1932. at the pest office at Winthrop, Iowa, under the Act of March 3. 1879, IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVI, 1946 s THE EASTERN MOCKINGBIRD "It is evident that this bird is more widely distributed in the state than is generally surmised . . It will be worth while fur bird students to be on the alert for field observa- tions of this interesting species.” (From a painting by E. W. Steffen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.) MOCKINGBIRD IN IOWA THE MOCKINGBIRD IN IOWA By WARREN N. KECK Cee College CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA The finding of a Mockingbird's nest in southeastern Iowa in 1933 stimu- lated the writer’s interest in this typically Carolinian bird. Since that date careful observations and records of this species have been kept, From the collected data it is evident that this bird is more widely distributed in the state than is generally surmised. The map and tabulation of records are self explanatory. Anderson brought the available records up to dale in 1907 in his "Birds of Iowa/’ DuMont added several new records which appear in his "Revised List of the Birds of Iowa" in 1933. Rather frequent observation records have appeared in "Iowa Bird Life" since 1933. The present report includes all the published records as well as a number of unpublished reports which the writer has collected and assembled, A study of the map and table will reveal that the Mockingbird has been observed in 51 counties in Iowa. It has been noted nesting in 22 counties. The present study adds 11 new county records for the state. The results seem to indicate a northward extension of the normal range of this species. Perhaps we are witnessing a northward movement similar to that of the Cardinal- The fact that birds are observed during the winter months indicates a tendency of the species to establish itself as a permanent resident. A study of the accompanying map reveals that the north central portion of the state has not been invaded or else birds have escaped the attention of the ornithologists of the state in this section. Two or three tentative reasons might explain the lack of records for the north central counties. It should be recalled that this section of the state is the region of latest glaciation. Per- haps the topography does not attract the Mockingbird, since it prefers rough, thicket-covered regions. Another explanation might be that birds follow the thickets along the main waterways. Consequently, one would expect the counties bordering the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to be the first invaded. It will be worth while for the bird students of the state to be on the alert for field observations of this interesting species and to help follow the pro- gressive invasion of the remaining counties. TABULATION OF RECORDS FOR THE MOCKINGBIRD County Locality Season and Date Observer P ublished Record Adair Greenfield May 10, 1942 Peter P, Laude Adams Corning Corning May 2l, 194 4 Summer. 1944 Mrs. T. J. Hardisty Mrs. Faye Lawrence Allamakee Waukon Waukon June 1. 1942 June 1, 1944 Mrs. Myrtle LeTorneau Mrs. Myrtle LeTorneau Appanoose Sharon Bluff Park Sept., 1943 Frank W. Throw Renton Vinton Vinton June, 1930 Nov, 5, 1941 DuMont :1‘09 LB-],-. XII ; 12 Black Hawk Cedar Falls Waterloo Waterloo May, 1898 1936 May 8, 1937 Peck and Wallers Georue Faulkner Stale Field Trip Anderson :366 Southern part of county Keosauqua Summer, 1939 Summer, 1945 R. B. Wallace W. N, Keck I.B.L.. X :19 Wapello Ottumwa 1911 Mrs. A. Van Gent I.A.S., 31 :425 Ottumwa June. 1923 S. M. Ditch I.A.S., 31 : 425 Ottumwa Ottumwa May 7, 1944 May 7, 1945 Ottumwa Bird Club W, N. Keck and others I.B.L,, XIV :53 Warren Indianola Nesting, May, 1898 A. A. Jeffrey Anderson :366 Liberty Township Summer. 1939 R. B. Wallace I.B.L.. X :19 W LLshiiigton Crawfordsville Summer, 1939 R. B. Wallace I.B.L., X :19 Wayne No data Summer A. J, Brown Anderson :366 Woodbury Sioux City June, 1002 G. C. Rich Anderson :366 Sioux City May 8. 1904 G. C. Rich I.B.L,. XIV ;77 Sioux City Nesting, 1900 or 1910 A. W. Lindsey I.B.L,, XIV : 7 7 Sioux City Nesting, Summers, A, W. Lindsey 1911-12 W. W. Bennett, 1931 Sioux City April, 1925 C, J . Spiker and Mrs. Marie Dales DuMont 1 100 Sioux City Aprli 28-29, 1925 C. J, Spiker LB.L., XIV :77 Sioux City April 29, 1925 Mrs. Marie Dales I.B.L., Xl V :77 Sioux City Oct. S, 1926 Mrs. Marie Dales I.B.L,, XIV :77 Sioux City May 28-29. 1937 Wm, Youngworth I.B.L., VII :35 Sioux City June 15, 1937 Mrs. W, J. Armour LB.L., XIV :77 Luten Aug. 5, 1937 Wilfred D. Crahb I.B.L., XIV :7? Sergeant Bluff Nesting, July 21, 1938 Bruce F. Stiles I.B.L., XIV :77 Sioux City Feb. 12-14 and March 10. 193S Mrs. Marie Dales i LB.L., XIV ;77 Sioux City June 15. 1943 Stephens. Laffoon, and Clayton I.B.L., XIV :77 Sioux City May 7, 1944 Sioux City Bird Club LB.L.. XI V :53 REFERENCES Anderson, Rudolph M. 1901. Birds of Iowa, Proc. of Davenport Acad, of Sciences, VoL XL TWENTY -FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING Bennett* Walter W. 1931. Birds of Sioux City, Iowa, published by The Sioux City Bird Club. DuMont, Philip A. 1934, A Revised List of the Birds of Iowa, University of Iowa Studies, Vol, XV, No. 5, Iowa Bird Life, Volumes I-XV. News-Herald, Tama, Iowa. 1945. Ross, William G. 1938 Bird Notes from the Journal of a Nature Lover, printed by W. B, Conkey Company. Spiker, Chas. J. 1924 Birds of Wapello Co,, Iowa, Proc. of Iowa Acad, of Science. Vol. XXXI. Spiker. Chas. J. 1926. Winter Bird Records, 1922-1926, Northwestern Iowa, Proc. of Iowa Acad, of Science, Vol. XXXIII. THE TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING By LILLIAN SERBOUSEK See'y-Treas., Iowa Ornitholofmts' Union The 24th annual meeting of the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union was held Sat- urday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, 1946, at Cornell College* Mt. Vernon Dr, J, Harold Ennis, President, opened the meeting at Armstrong Hall with an address of welcome, after which he read greetings from Mrs. Lillian Stoner, of Albany, N.Y., and Dr. Paul Bartsch, of Washington, D.C. He then intro- duced David L. Savage, of Mt. Pleasant* who was editor of “The Iowa Orni- thologist" and very active in the Iowa Ornithological Association. 1894-98. Mr. Savage gave reminiscences of this organization’s second meeting held 50 years ago in Mt. Vernon. He compared means of transportation, plant life and bird life of a half century ago with the present, and noted the increase in membership of the present Union. There were only 16 at the 1896 meet- ing, but no ladies attended. Dr. Charles R Keyes, of Mt. Vernon* who was President of the Iowa Ornithological Association in 1896, was the second speaker of the morning session. His subject was 'A Great Horned Owl Story.” Dr, Keyes told of his efforts in locating the nest of a pair of Great Horned Owls. He was suc- cessful when he found the nest on February 6, 1906, in a timbered pasture about one and a half miles southwest of Mt. Vernon, He told of his and his assistants experiences in photographing the nest with the eggs and young, and displayed three eggs taken from the nest. From the three additional eggs laid in the nest later, three owlets were hatched by April 16. The speaker concluded his talk by showing photographic slides of the nesting site, the eggs, and young Horned Owls taken that year and again the following year when the same nesting site was used. Noon lunch was served in the Presbyterian Church basement. The first speaker after lunch was Dr. Paul L. Errington of Iowa State College* who was introduced by Dr. Helen Churchill, Chairman for the afternoon meeting. His topic was “Automatic Adjustments in Bird Populations.” He showed by means of graphs that the rate of increase in bird population increases in in- verse ratio to the number of breeding birds. If the breeding population is high, the per cent of increase in birds is lower. “Birds of the Missouri and Mississippi River Regions" were discussed by Dr. Chas. A. Stewart of New Albin. He told of changes in bird populations that he experienced in changing his residence from Omaha, Nebraska, to 28 IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVI. 1946 New Albin in northeast Iowa. Although there is not a great difference in species of birds in the two areas, according to Dr. Stewart, he enumerated 40 or 50 species whose status in Iowa differed from his observations in Neb- raska. The next speaker, V. W. Flickinger, Chief of the Division of Lands and Waters, Iowa State Conservation Commission, described our “State Parks of Today.’' He stated that the state park movement is 25 years old, and gave a brief history of its growth and development in Iowa. At present there is a total of 44,000 acres with an investment of over $6,000,000 under state park supervision, Mr. Flickinger read from the “Twenty-five Year Conservation Plan” of the Iowa Conservation Commission the recommendations for state parks that are being followed. He said that other states are using Iowa’s 25-year plan. “Why Work in Winter?” was the question discussed by Charles C, Ayres, Jr„ of Ottumwa, who was the last speaker of the afternoon. He told of his many interesting bird observations on a visit to California during the past winter. The highlight of his trip was the sight of five California Condors during one afternoon. There are only about 40 birds of this species in ex- istence in the United States. Mr. Ayres illustrated his talk with colored slides, A 5:45 dinner was served to a very large gathering in the basement of the Presbyterian Church. A business meeting was held after the dinner, with Dr. Ennis presiding, A motion was made, seconded and carried that Fred Pierce be commended for his excellent wmrk as Editor of “Iowa Bird Life” Upon the recommendation of the Executive Council, it was moved and seconded to amend the Constitution and establish three additional types of member- ship: (1) Supporting Membership with $3 annual dues; (2) Contributing Membership, with $10 annual dues; (3) Honorary Life Membership, with no dues; the names of qualifying members to be submitted by the Executive Council to the voting body and voted upon. Motion carried. Dr. Keck then made a motion that Dr. Charles R. Keyes and David Savage be given Hon- orary Life Memberships. In order to help finance the cost of the annual conventions, it was moved and seconded that all adults attending pay a registration fee of 50c and those under 16 years pay a fee of 25c. The matter of the Union's incoiporating was discussed ,and it was voted to have the Executive Council make an investi- gation of the possibilities. The Treasurer's report was given and showed a balance of $272,39. Dr. Keck, Librarian, reported that he had received sev- eral publications from Mrs, Dayton Stoner. He urged members to send in reprints and manuscripts for the Union’s library. Dr. Peter P. Laude, Chair- man of the Resolutions Committee, gave his report. The Nominating Com- mittee (Dr. Martin L. Grant, Chairman, and Earnest Steffen and J. Wilbur Dole) submitted the names of new officers for the coming year fas given on the title page of this issue). These were elected by unanimous ballot cast by the Secretary upon motion of the voting members. Members from Cedar Falls extended an invitation to the organization to meet in that city in 1947, Discussion followed and the possibility of having a joint meeting with the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union at Omaha was men- tioned, The matter was left open, with a decision to be reached by the Ex- ecutive Council at a later date. The business meeting was then adjourned. The evening session was held at King Memorial Chapel. Dr. Frank G. Brooks introduced the speaker of the evening— Dr. T. E. Musselman. Quincy. Illinois, whose subject was “Bird Banding and Bird Migration” He express- ed concern about the large numbers of Red-headed Woodpeckers killed on OTJ 43^= qh S-. G u " 1 t= > O ■a > < Vi 5 § H 2 a, s o 30 IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVI, 1946 the highways. How the banding of Chimney Swifts helped to locate their winter homes was very dramatically described by Dr. Musselman. He also gave interesting accounts of his varied experiences in banding and concluded his talk with a report of his work at a boys' camp in the east. Sunday morning breakfast was served by Tri Beta of Cornell College in Armstrong Hall at 4:15 a.m. to those who participated in the field trips which followed. Four trips were scheduled: the first to Dark Hollow and Lake McBride, led by Dr. Ennis; the second, to Spring Hollow and woods near Cedar Rapids, led by Dr. Keck; the third to Amana, Swan Lakes and Lake McBride, led by Dr Vane; the fourth, on the east side of the Cedar River in Palisades-Kepler State Park, did not materialize. All groups met at Upper Palisades for one o'clock luncheon at the conclusion of the trips. The list of species observed by the combined groups was then compiled, with a total of 127. The meeting adjourned and members once again renewed acquaint- ances or made new ones before bidding one another goodbye for another year. Thus our first peace-time meeting in four years came to an enjoyable end. 4 # * * $ * There was an art exhibit of ornithological subjects in the Exhibition Room of Armstrong Hall. The work of several Iowa bird artists was represented: Althea R. Sherman and William Savage, deceased, and E. W. Steffen of Cedar Rapids and Maynard F, Reece of Des Moines, The paintings of the first two named were exhibited through a loan by the Iowa State Dept, of History and Archives, Des Moines. Resolutions — This meeting is unique in that it is being held in a city where there is no organized Bird Study Club. Consequently most of the work has fallen on the shoulders of one man. Therefore, Be it resolved that we express our deep appreciation to Dr. Harold En- nis for the extra work that he did to provide such a very excellent program. Be it further resolved that we express our appreciation to the Cornell Chapter of Beta Beta Beta for acting as host for this meeting. Be it further resolved that we express our appreciation to Tri Beta for serving the early morning breakfast preceding the field trips. Be it further resolved that the secretary be instructed to address a letter to Pres. Russell Cole of Cornell College expressing our appreciation for the courtesy extended by furnishing the meeting places. Be it further resolved that we express our thanks to E. W. Steffen and Maynard F. Reece for the exhibit of their paintings. Be it further resolved that the secretary be instructed to address a letter to the Iowa State Department of History and Archives, expressing our ap- preciation for the loan of the paintings of Miss Sherman. Be it further resolved that we express our appreciation to Miss Nama A. Lathe for arranging the exhibit. Be it further resolved that the Union register its regret at the death of Dr. Thomas Roberts of Minneapolis. Respectfully submitted by the Resolution Committee. Peter P. Laude, Chairman Mrs. W. G. MacMartin Chester Williams Attendance Register — AMES. Dr. Paul Errington, Dr. and Mrs. G. O. Hendrickson. Dr. Thos. Scott; ATLANTIC. Robt. D. Mallette, Eugene Ruhr; BOONE, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Jones; CEDAR FALLS, Mr. and Mrs. John Bliese, Frances Crouter, Verna Davis, Mrs. Lola Deal, Margaret Dorweiler, Dr. and TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING 31 Mrs. M. L, Grant. Mrs. Oren Paine. Mrs. Russell Rugg, Mrs. Chas. Schwanke. Mrs, Geo. Wood; CEDAR RAPIDS, Marjorie Brunner, Miriam Confare, Esther Copp, Margaret Dickey, Lavina Dragoo. Lulu Dvorak, Dorothy Hayek. Isabel Hoyman, Dr. Warren Keck, Harry Kelley, Kathryn Kendall, Tillie Prestegard, Lillian Serbousek, Emily Steffen, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Steffen, Iola Tillapaugh, Dr. and Mrs, Robt. Vane, Myra Willis; CLARION, Mr, and Mrs, W. C, Dc- Long; COGGON. Robt. Pike, Walter Pike; DES MOINES. A. C. Berkowitz, Mrs, Janet DuMont. V. W. Flickinger, Mrs. H. R. Peasley. Bruce Stiles; DU- BUQUE, Ethan Hemsley, Henry Herrmann, E. F, Heuser, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Ruegnitz, Ival Schuster, Edna Walter; FAIRFIELD, J. Wilbur Dole; INDE- PENDENCE. Ruth Funk, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Johnson, Harry Rector. Gladys Shay; IOWA CITY, Mrs. Theodore Jahn, Dr. and Mrs. Peter Laude; MT, PLEASANT, David L. Savage; MT. VERNON, (including Cornell College students with temporary address in this city), Beverly Allen, Bettijeanne Birch, Clifford Blades. Barbara Bridgeland, Dr, F, G, Brooks, Helen Church- ill, Janet Crissey, Ruthanne Dreyer. David Ennis, Dr. and Mrs, Harold En- nis, Martha Joan Ennis, Frederic Evans, Barbara Fairchild, Joan Froberg, Harriet Frye, Carol Hall, Ann Hoisington, Callie Kaneko, Dr. and Mrs. Chas. Keyes, Marcella Killey, Margaret Lapham, Kathryn Madely, Grace Max- well, J. W. McCutcheon, Harriet Mecartney, Evelyn Melton, Marilyn Miller, Laura Presnell, Phyllis Pruitt, Lois Ruggeberg, Eunice Rump, Mrs. Bearie Scobey, Joan Silliman, Mary L. Squires, Arlene Swift. Marilyn Tague, Thelma Wendell. Shirley Westphal, Chester Williams. David Wilson, Jane Winter. Jacqueline Woodman, Phyllis Wylie; NEW ALBIN, Dr. Chas, A, Stewart; OTTUMWA, Chas, C. Ayres, Jr., Mrs. C. E. Burns, Marietta Eighme, Mrs. J, G. Heffelfinger, Pearle Walker, Jane Wood, Mary Wood: SPIRIT LAKE, Dr. and Mrs. F. L. R. Roberts; STRAWBERRY POINT, Wilma Monoid; TAMA, Thelma Carmichael, Mrs. J. G. Ennis, Mrs. W. G. MacMartin, Mrs Alda Richards, Mrs. Elmer Tims; WATERLOO, Mary Young; WELLMAN, Mrs. A, C. Gingerich, Mrs, E. C. Jones, Mrs. L. C. Miller, Mrs. J. J. Ward. Mrs. A. C. Winegarden; WINTHROP, F. J Pierce; WOODWARD, Richard Guthrie; COLUMBIA, MO, Mr. and Mrs, I, C. Adams, Jr.; QUINCY, ILL., Dr, T. E, Musselman. Total registered, 138- Birds Seen on the Field Trip. — Dark Hollow and Lake McBride; Spring Hollow and woods near Cedar Rapids; Amana and Swan Lakes; Palisades- Kepler State Park; Linn and Johnson Counties; three groups of observers; May 5, 1946. 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Loon, Pied-billed Grebe. Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue and Green Herons, Am. and Least Bitterns, Mallard, Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Shoveller, Wood Duck, Canvas-back. Lesser Scaup. Sharp-shinned. Cooper's, Red-tailed, Red-shouldered. Broad-winged, Marsh, Pigeon and Sparrow Hawks, Osprey. Bob-white, Ring-necked Pheasant. Virginia Rail, Sora, Coot, Semipalmated and Upland Plovers, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Spotted. Solitary and Pectoral Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellow-legs, Dowitcher, Forster’s, Common and Black Terns, Mourning Dove, Great Horned and Barred Owls, Chimney Swift, Ruby-thr. Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher. Flicker, Red-bellied, Red- headed, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Eastern Kingbird, Crested Fly- catcher. Phoebe. Wood Pewee, Prairie Horned Lark, Tree, Bank. Rough-wing- ed, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Purple Martin. Blue Jay, Crow. Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, white-breasted Nuthatch, House. Bewick's, Prairie Marsh and Short-billed Marsh Wrens, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Robin, Wood Thrush, Bluebird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Migrant Shrike, Starling, Bell’s, Blue-headed. Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos, Black and IOWA BIRD LIFE — XVI, 1946 White, Blue-winged, Tenn., Orange-crowned, Nashville, Yellow, Myrtle, Black- poll and Palm Warblers, Oven-bird, Grinnell's and Louisiana Water-thrushes, Northern Yellow-throat, Redstart, Bobolink. Eastern and Western Meadow- larks, Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds. Baltimore Oriole. Bronzed Grackle, Cowbird. Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting. Dick- cissel, Purple Finch, Goldfinch, Red-eyed Towhee, English. Grasshopper, Vesper, Lark, Chipping, Clay-colored, Field, Harris's, White-crowned, White- throated, Lincoln's, Swamp and Song Sparrows. Total, 127 species. A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT AYRES Members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union: Our 24th Annual Convention is history, and successful it was, thanks to Dr. Ennis and all who helped him. But let us not now lean back and wait for another year to roll around, considering that, as an organization, we are thus doing our best. Indeed, unless the Iowa Ornithologists' Union— and that means all the members — continues to work to the end of accomplishing the objectives for which it stands, it does not justify its existence as an organiza- tion. The annual convention must not be permitted to be THE Iowa Orni- The new President of the Iowa Orni- thologists' Union is a lawyer, horn at Ot- tumwa, Iowa. He was formerly a member of the Iowa House of Representatives, and has been interested in birds for more than years, doing a good deal of lecturing and educational work on birds during that time. He is unmarried, though, as he says, that fact does not seem to interest anyone.- -F.J.P. thologists' Union but merely the means of getting together and enjoying good fellowship and planning our program for the future. There have been suggested in the past by both officers and members a number of objectives toward which we may strive. Not the least of these has been the enlargement of our member- ship with the attendant benefits de- rived therefrom. So let's go after new members, each of us resolving in his or her own mind to sign up at least one each year. Why not give a mem- bership to an interested person as a gift? "Iowa Bird Life'" will be welcome in any home. In this day and age of fast and com- plicated living it is highly advisable for us to slow down and take inventory of the many things for which we should be thankful. Bird study, or to be less scientific shall we say bird enjoyment, is a bobby which we may unqualifiedly recommend to our friends and neigh- bors. It furnishes a respite from life's torrid pace and permits us to count our blessings. We may feel inclined to shun the sometimes not-too-easy task of teach- ing children to know birds and their value which suggests conservation. To- morrow these same youngsters will govern the destinies of our nation. It appears to me that had conservation CHARLES C. AYRES, JR MT. VERNON CONVENTION IN IS96 o O been taught to a greater degree when your father and mine were children, our country might not be facing some of the problems of this day. Several members have thought that it might be advisable to hold two meetings a year— one in the spring with the field trips and possibly another in the fall, the latter perhaps to be a one -day meeting at which papers might be presented and the business meeting held. I believe this idea is worthy of serious consideration. Let me suggest several other things which the members and bird clubs throughout the state may do in the course of the year in furthering our ob- jectives: 1, Urge and sponsor establishment of parks and other areas of land as bird sanctuaries. Promote erection of bird houses, feeders, and shelters. 2, Encourage planting of trees, shrubs, vines and flowers to attract birds to parks and private grounds, 3, Solicit the aid of local citizens for interesting observations pertain- ing to birds. Most people like to feel that they are furthering the advancement of science, and we may kindle the fire for a lifelong interest in birds, 4, Advise the Secretary of changes in your local bird club officers. If you do not have a club in your town, then organize one. 5, Send notes to your Editor, and constructive criticism to your officers. In closing may I, as your newly elected President, thank you for your vote of confidence. I will fulfill the office to the best of my ability but 1 earn- estly invite your assistance at all times. Yours sincerely. CHARLES C. AYRES, JR. THE MOUNT VERNON CONVENTION IN 1896 l Reprinted from “THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST October, 1896) The second Congress of the Iowa Ornithological Association was held in Mt. Vernon, July 29-31, 1396- BUSINESS MEETING. JULY 29. 2:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by the President, Charles R. Keyes, with seven members in attendance. The matter of holding one public meeting was informally discussed, finally Thursday evening, July 30, was chosen. After some informal discussions on minor points, the meeting adjourned to meet at 9:00 a.m, July 30. for further business. SECOND MEETING. JULY 30. 9 a.m. The meeting called to order by the President, Chas. R, Keyes. It was decided to postpone the business meet- ing until tomorrow morning, hoping for the arrival of members who were expected. The meeting then proceeded to the reading of papers. The first paper of the morning was entitled “The Warblers of Jackson Co.,” by H. J, Giddings, In the absence of the author it was read by Morton E, Peck. The second paper was “The Acadian Flycatcher,” by Ernest Irons, in his absence was read by David L. Savage. The third title. “Traill’s Flycatcher," by Chas. R, Keyes. Discussions followed each paper, in which all members present took part. The opening paper of the afternoon session was by Morton E. Peck, entitled “Affinities of the Warblers ” This was accompanied by a chart 34 IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVI, 1946 drawn by Mr. Peck which showed clearly the relations of the mniotiltidae, The next paper was ‘Observations on Molothrus ater” by David L. Savage. ' The Ficidae ' by William Savage was the third paper of the afternoon. The fourth paper was entitled 'Some Peculiar Nests,” by Frank H. Shoemaker, An extended discussion followed each paper, also a comparison of notes on the species under consideration. PUBLIC SESSION, JULY 30, 8 p.m. The meeting called to order by the President, Chas. R. Keyes. After a few explanatory and well-timed re- marks, the meeting proceeded to the consideration of scientific papers. The first paper, entitled “Protection of Birds," by W. W. Loomis, in his absence was read by H. M. McLaughlin, Mr. Chas. R. Keyes gave as the second paper “The Iowan Raptores.” The third title "Birds” (from an aesthetic standpoint), by Hiram Heaton, in the absence of the author was read by B, H. Bailey. BUSINESS MEETING, JULY 31 9 a.m. The meeting was called to order by the President, Chas. R. Keyes. Eight active members were present. The Secretary's report gave the membership of the Association as 71, constituted as follows: Active, 50: Honorary, 3; Associate, 18, Then reports were heard from the Treasurer and chairman of committee on compiling of the list of Iowa birds. Moved and seconded that David L. Savage be made chairman of com- mittee on compiling the list of Iowa birds, and that the other members of the committee be continued. Motion carried. The officers elected were J. H, Brown, president: W, W. Loomis, vice-president: B. H. Bailey, secretary; David L, Savage, editor-treasurer; Frank H. Shoemaker, Geo, H. Burge, Carleton R, Ball, members of the executive council; Charles R. Keyes. Carl F. Henning, H. J. Giddings, members of finance committee. The association then ad- journed to meet in Manchester, the third week in August, 1897 The afternoon was pleasantly spent in viewing the beautiful, life-size, water -colored paintings of over 200 of our Iowa birds, made by Mr. William Savage, of Wilsonvillc, Iowa * — BERT H. BAILEY. Secretary. NECROLOGY Dr, Thomas Sadler Roberts, one of the most widely known ornithologists in the United States, died at Minneapolis, April 19. 1946, at the age of 88 years. He was born near Philadelphia in 1858, and came to Minnesota by river- boat at the age of nine, He attended the University of Minnesota two years, received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1885, and a doctor of science degree from Minnesota in 1940. A professor at the University of Minnesota medical school from 1901 to 1913, at 57 he retired from fulltime medical work to take a position with the University Dept, of Zoology. From then until the end of his long life he pursued his hobby of bird study and was a teacher of ornithology and Director of the Minnesota Museum of Nat- ural History at the university. Although his adult life was a busy, crowded one, he always found time for his avocation of bird study. The foremost achievement of his ornithological career was the publication of his “Birds of Minnesota”, in two large volumes, which has become the standard work of reference on birds for the entire upper Mississippi Valley region. He gathered data for the book during most his life, but it is said that he wrote the entire manuscript in longhand in a period of four years. He became a member of the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union in 1931. * At the 1946 Ml. Vernon convention h few of these same paintings by William Savage were on display. The full series is owned by the Iowa State Dept, of History and Archives, which made the loan of various paintings for our meeting. F. J. P. GENERAL NOTES VO GENERAL NOTES Woodcock in Black Hawk County.— On March 24. 1946, 3 was searching for ducks near a backwater of Black Hawk Creek. I was going by some tall brush in a low moist spot when I glanced to the ground and saw a peculiar object which at first looked like a big pine cone. As I approached it began to walk away and I found myself looking at the second Woodcock that I had ever seen. I watched the bird for some time through my field glasses. Later I came back with several members of our bird club who were fortunate enough to see the Woodcock. We got fine views of him as he stood perfectly still in the sunlight.— RUSSELL M. HAYS, Waterloo, Iowa. Winter Notes from Sibley.— We used a formula given me by Judge O. S. Thomas for feeding Chickadees. White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creep- ers, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and all except the last named came to feed every day during the past winter. In the country at different times we saw many pheasants, a few Hungarian Partridges, several Short-eared Owls, Blue Jays, Tree Sparrows, Slate-colored Juneos, and three Meadowlarks al- ways found near a small grove. On February 10 we saw Lapland Longspurs and Prairie Horned Larks. I was surprised to receive a visit from a Flicker on February 3. Of course, the usual English Sparrows were here, and more Starlings than ever before, including one flock of about 30. — C.S. FITZSIM- MONS, Sibley, Iowa. House Wren Stories. — Our friends, the Hajeks of Ely. have had much en- joyment with wrens as their hobby. They told me this experience. One noon about 12 years ago. Mrs. Hajek broke off the nose of her teapot. She placed the teapot on a fencepost beside her kitchen door. In about an hour, as she started for the chicken-yard, she picked up the teapot to take it to the trash heap. As she did so a bird flew out and she discovered that the teapot was filled with tiny sticks. She wired the new home to the gate post, hoping the House Wren would continue to use it. The wren stayed, and raised two fam- ilies that year. Since then many beautiful wren houses have been erected, but the teapot seems to remain the favorite home. Last spring (1945) we had a House Wren living around our home, the father singing and apparently living in or near our porch. We couldn’t find where they were nesting. After the babies came we discovered they were in an old cistern pump. This spring my daddy called me one morning and said that Jenny Wren had arrived during the night, I dressed hurriedly and by the time I got downstairs the pair of wrens were already busy throwing sticks out of the old home in the pump. I am sure that it was the same pair of wrens that were there last year. Don't you think so? — ROBERT G. PIKE, age 10 years, Coggon. Iowa. Evening Grosbeaks at Dubuque. — As I was leaving the Dubuque post office building on January 12, 1946, my attention was called to some unusual bird notes, which were half like a loud Cardinal chirp. My field glasses were handy in my car nearby, and I identified six Evening Grosbeaks. I immed- iately did some telephoning and was able to point out the visitors to three other members of the Dubuque Bird Club; several other members were not reached in time for them to see the birds that day. The grosbeaks were eating berries in some hackberry trees, and were there at least from 10:30 a.m, till after noon. Again on January 15, two other Club members saw six or eight grosbeaks within a block of the same location, — GEORGE E. CROSSLEY. Dubuque. Iowa. IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVI, 1946 36 Evening Grosbeak at Tama. — During the week of January 5, 1946, an Evening Grosbeak fed on the staghorn sumac near our south porch. We were much interested in studying our unusual visitor, which, with yellow-brown body, white on wings and heavy beak, was very conspicuous among the other common winter birds. We have catered to the birds for many years; have shrubs and plants that they like, and have many homes for them in our yard and orchard. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak nests in our orchard and back yard in the summer. Last year the nest was so near that I passed it many times a day. I enjoyed watching their family life during the nesting period. —MRS, EARL SOTH, Tama, Iowa. Bird Notes from Scott County. — On July 1, 194.5, I saw and heard a male Summer Tanager; I saw the Summer Tanager again on August 18, On July 30 I found a dead Piping Plover near LInwood. Iowa. On August 6, I saw an Upland Plover perched on a fencepost. Along a small creek bed I saw a Little Blue Heron on July 17, and on July 13 I saw and heard a Blue-winged Warbler on the outskirts of Davenport. On August 9 I saw a Least Bittern at Nobis Slough, and on August 21 I saw an American Egret at the same place. The egret's white plumage, yellow beak and black legs were very conspicuous. It remained at the slough for several days. During the next few weeks there were many American Egrets in the vicinity of Davenport. On February 28, 1946, I found a dead Bald Eagle at Peterson’s Island, It was lying near a half-submerged barge and it is just possible that it had hit the barge and was killed by the blow. — JIM HODGES. Davenport, Iowa, Bird Notes Made on a Census Trip. — Part of the territory covered on my bird census of December 28, 1945, included a walk down White Fox Creek, which is a drainage ditch bordered on both sides by a rank growth of weeds hanging over the bank. A few bushes and shrubs are found scattered here and there. I walked on the frozen ice. which in places was slushy due to water that continually drains into the creek. At one point there was a pool of clear spring water beside a cement retaining wall. Song Sparrows flew ahead of me. I was interested in watching them eat the weed seeds. They would run along in the snow, reach up and get a seed, then stop and roll it around in their bills. When I examined the place where I saw them. I found the outside hull of the seeds, which were of the giant rag weed. The open water and abundance of weed seeds make the creek an ideal place for them to spend the winter We have found this ragweed seed in the crops of pheasants, but the outside hull was on it. Six Crows which live in the evergreen trees in the Clarion cemetery were trying to drive away two Rough-legged Hawks tin the light phase). They finally succeeded and the hawks flew south down the drainage ditch. Sixty Lapland Longspurs were seen along the highway where snow plows had scraped the snow away, I parked the car and studied them with glasses. When a car would pass, they would take wing and circle out over the field but come right back and settle down to feed until the next car came along. Meadowlarks would remain in the same place and were not frightened by an auto. The Rusty Blackbird listed on my census was an individual that came to my feeding-station for the corn I put out for the Blue Jay. I first saw him on December 19, He was with eight Starlings, but I at once noticed his white eye, longer tail and bill of different shape. When I opened the door, the Starlings always disappeared, but he would remain and eat the corn,— MRS. W, C. DE LONG, Clarion, Iowa. GENERAL NOTES 37 Red-shafted Flicker Near Guthrie Center.— On January 30. 1946, a Red- shafted Flicker was observed at close range as it crossed the highway just outside of the city limits of east Guthrie Center, Iowa. A strong wind of blizzard proportions made the bird’s flight so slow that it was almost at a standstill as we passed under it. The feather shafts were so conspicuous it was almost like a red flag being waved across our path — MR. AND MRS. MYRLE L. JONES. Boone, Iowa. A Bird Report from Marble Rock.— During 1945 I saw 134 different species near my home. Lapland Longspurs were especially numerous dur- ing the last half of March, and there were a few stragglers up into May. Cowbirds seemed to be more numerous than usual, and the Red-wings less numerous, which suggested that more birds were forced to rear Cowbirds during the previous year. Killdeers were present in their usual numbers during spring, but I neither saw nor heard any after July in our creek pas- ture. One Slate-colored Junco, perhaps an injured bird, was here on May 16; no others were seen after April 27. The fall migration was somewhat dis- appointing. but my biggest thrill of the year came on the afternoon of Sep- tember 27, when five Bohemian Waxwings came to our garden and fed on elderberries still clinging to the bushes. During the winter season we en- joyed the birds that came daily to our feeders. — PEARL KNOOP. Marble Rock, Iowa. An Oddly Marked Red-winged Blackbird — Last spring (1945) Mrs E. J, Austin and I saw a Red-wing with peculiar markings. There was only red on the wing, but on the head there was a white mark, about a quarter of an inch wide, over the left eye and continuing around the side of the head and neck, ending about in the center of the breast. There was no similar mark- ing over the right eye or on that side of the head- The outer tail feathers were white. The other Red-wings fought him continually, but he seemed to be always ready to fight and preferred to stay with the crowd of Red-wings. He was around the same locality. Conservation Park in Charles City, all spring, but we never saw him during the summer. We are anxious to see if he will be back in the spring of 1946. We have seen a Robin with conspicuously white plumage in our neighborhood for several summers. — Mrs. R. C. McCART- NEY, Charles City, Iowa Iowa Specimens Taken During the Fall Migration.— The 1945 fall migra- tion brought in many interesting types of hawks and owls, some of them ex- tremely rare visitors in Iowa. Of those collected by the State Department of History and Archives, Museum Division, we record the following speci- mens: Duck Hawk, an immature female, taken October 10, at the State Game Farm. Boone, Richardson’s Pigeon Hawk, a female, taken October 24, in Polk County. Snowy Owl. a female, taken November 19, at Sioux City; a male, taken at Lansing, Iowa, during the early part of December, Greater Scaup Duck, taken October 10, at Rice Lake. Whistling Swan, a juvenile, talken November 27, at Chever Lake, Esther- ville; a mature male, taken November 16, at Rice Lake. Arctic Horned Owl, a female, taken December 28, at the State Game Farm, Boone, — JACK W, MUSGROVE, Museum Director, Iowa State Dept of History & Archives, Des Moines, Iowa, IOWA BIRD LIFE — XVI, 1946 38 An Albino Robin. — During the latter part of August, 1945. a neighbor asked me what kind of bird she had seen about the yard. It was the size of a Robin but was nearly all white. I was immediately interested and walked to the front of the house, and in the next yard I saw an albino Robin. I se- cured my binoculars and watched the bird for some time. The head and neck were black, characteristic of the male of this species, but the back was nearly white with a few feathers that were nearly normal in color. The under parts were also white, with a few feathers of normal color. This bird remained about the place for several days and was seen many times, then it disappeared. A spring habit of the male Robin, which always ar- rives several days in advance of the females, is to locate somewhere near the site where the nest is to be built. After the nesting season is over, the adult birds leave for some secluded place to molt. After the post-nuptial molt has taken place, the males return to the old home site, there to remain until their departure for their winter homes. I'll be waiting and watching for the return of this Robin in the spring to see if the molt will have made any change in his general appearance. — GLEN M. HATHORN. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Robins and Barn Swallows Nest on Trains.— When Chicago & North- western engine 1103 left Sioux City, Iowa, Friday night, April 26, a partially completed bird’s nest was snuggly anchored to the rocker box. The engine, in way-freight service, left Sioux City and worked a day at Missouri Valley, Iowa, was tied up in service at Wall Lake, Iowa, over Sunday, and returned to Missouri Valley and then to Sioux City Thursday night. Enginemen who checked the engine into the roundhouse found not only a completed nest, but resting snugly in the nest was a Robin’s egg, sky blue and the equal of any conventional Robin's egg, laid in maple, elm or apple tree. The engine had been in continuous service with only eight hours rest each day. The engine- men declare that the Robins have been following the engine, completing their home and starting their family.— AP press release, published in Iowa news- papers in May, 1946. '‘The bi-weekly train came in one evening in July with a freight car pick- ed up from a siding and destined for Winnipeg the next day. The car held the nest of a pair of Barn Swallows. The parent birds arrived with the train and left with it again the next morning." — From “Some Notes from Indian Bay. Man. ", by William Rowan, published in “The Auk", vol 39, 1922, p, 231 (This is an interesting subject and we should be glad to have further re- ports of birds nesting on trains or other moving objects — Edo RECENT BIRD BOOKS A LABORATORY AND FIELD MANUAL OF ORNITHOLOGY, by Qlin Sewall Pettingill, Jr. < Burgess Pub, Co., Minneapolis, 1946; spiral paper bind- ing, pp. i-v + 1-248, with 19 pis. and text drawings; printed by photo offset; price. $3.50). Dr. Pettingill has had many years' experience in teaching ornithological classes and directing student investigations at Carleton College and the Uni- versity of Michigan Biological Station. This manual was developed during his work as a teacher. Two previous editions of the manual have been pub- lished, but in the present book several sections have been revised and a number of new chapters and many illustrations have been added. Since the text is intended primarily for students of the college and university level, RECENT BIRD BOOKS 39 those who use it should possess the background of a college course in zoology or biology. The manual is divided into the following 18 sections or chapters: Topog- raphy. Feathers and Feather Tracts. Internal Anatomy, Classification and Nomenclature. External Structural Characters, Laboratory Identification, Plumages and Plumage Coloration, Distribution and Migration, Field Identi- fication, Bird Ecology, Bird Communities, Bird Territory, Mating, Nests and Nest-building, Egg-laying and Incubation, Young and Their Development, Parental Care, Bird Populations. Each chapter has from one to nine sub- divisions, bringing the topic down to careful detail. There is a full outline of the basic information, and the student is given instructions on how to set up his own program of investigation of a particular subject. At the end of each chapter an excellent bibliography gives references to publications on the subject treated in that chapter. The author says that at Carleton College an introductory bird course is given in the spring semester. In the weeks prior to the spring migration, col- lege work consists of laboratory studies and lectures. Studies of feather tracts, coloration, classification and nomenclature, structural characters, identifica- tion, migration and other related topics are taken up in the order outlined in the manual. From the beginning of spring migration till the end of the semester, the work of the ornithology class is concerned with the identifica- tion and study of birds in the field, with supplementary work on bird skins in the laboratory. An ornithology course in summer offers the added oppor- tunities of nesting studies and a wider acquaintance with the problems of ecology, bird populations, etc. Teachers who have had considerable experience with bird classes will have of course worked out individual programs of lectures and student in- vestigations, but we believe all will find Dr. Pettingill’s carefully prepared manual an excellent source of teaching material, and many will wish to adopt his methods in planning their own ornithology courses. The general reader will find the five classified bibliographies at the end of the book a very useful compilation. These are arranged under several heads, such as general works, life history studies, state works on birds, books for recreational reading, etc. In the state works Anderson’s “Birds of Iowa" Q907) is listed as “long out of print and exceedingly scarce," while Du- Mont’s Iowa book (1933) is listed as the current, readily-available source. The reverse is true, however, DuMont's book is out of print and exceedingly scarce, while Anderson’s book is still available and many copies are sold each year. — F. J. P. ****** REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE OF THE IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE: PRESENT STATUS AND OUTLOOK OF CON- SERVATION IN IOWA. Reprinted from Iowa Acad. Sci Proceedings, Vol. 51, 1944, pp. 40-96; wrappers. This pamphlet gives “the present status and outlook of conservation in Iowa" as regards state parks and preserves, birds and mammals, fisheries, antiquities, water supply, forests, and soil and water conservation. Most of the sections begin with a historical background which leads up to the present stat- us in the respective fields, We have an excellent report on the developments under the Iowa Twenty-five Year Plan launched in 1933. The section on state parks and preserves and that on birds and mammals are of particular interest to us who are interested in Iowa ornithology. The former reviews pioneer work in the setting aside of park areas, the establishing of boards and 40 IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVI, 1948 commissions, the development of the 25-year plan, and closes with a recom- mendation for the setting aside of native prairie preserves. The idea of prairie preserves was a primary interest of the late Dr. L. H. Pammel, and I have frequently heard him state his views thereon to the botany class of which I was privileged to be a member. The section on birds and mammals empha- sizes surveys and research, wildlife management programs, protective laws and regulations, and includes a report on game birds and mammals taken in the 1942 to 1944 seasons as well as the number and value of furs taken in Iowa during 1943-1944. To one who 20 years ago, and more, had taken field trips in ornithology over much of the state, and who was more or less famili- ar with state park areas as they then existed, the progress to be noted in the several fields of conservation is most interesting and instructive. — Chas. J. Spiker.* MEMBERSHIP NEWS Walter Rosene writes us from Gadsden. Alabama, that he has returned to civilian life after having been in the Navy for the duration of the war. He traveled extensively on the Atlantic and South Atlantic, and on the North and South Pacific Oceans. He says that he ' really enjoyed the bird life but found that there was very little reference literature available.” Mr. Rosene was not listed on the roll of our members in military service, but this was be- cause we did not have the information. Glen M. Hathorn, of Cedar Rapids, has donated a full set of “Iowa Bird Life” to the Union. At the Mt. Vernon meeting it was decided to have a set of the magazine bound and preserved in the Librarian’s files, Mr. Hathorn's set will be bound for this purpose. The Union is very grateful for this fine gift. A former Iowa bird student, A. W. Paterson, Spokane, Wash., writes of his experiences in northern Iowa: “Am glad that Iowa has a bird maga- zine, How many changes there are in a lifetime! I recall that Kossuth County was largely unfenced, blue-stem prairie land with sloughs aplenty back in the '80’s when I was a boy. It was a wonderful wading ground for one with a love for birds — and perhaps I should add for one with an lust for collecting birds’ eggs. No doubt traces still remain, but I think nothing approaches those sloughs with their Coots, grebes, rails, marsh wrens and Red-winged Blackbirds. American Bitterns were also there, and on the shores a Marsh Hawk’s nest could be found, while on higher ground the Long-billed Curlew was to be seen. This is all gone for me now, but I enjoy the memory ...” At the boys' Wildlife School, near Vinton, May 18-19, Dr. Harold Ennis gave a talk on bird migration Saturday evening and was one of the leaders on the bird hike the next morning. On his section of the bird trip he was supervisor of 18 boys from the Vinton School for the Blind. It was a very in- teresting experience since the boys had to depend entirely on birds’ songs for identification. The school was set up and directed by Harry E. Rector, one of our members who is a state conservation officer. Dr, Robert Vane, our new Vice-President, was also a leader of one of the groups on the bird trip. Malcolm McDonald, formerly of Fairfield and more recently a member of the armed forces, writes us from Ann Arbor, Michigan. He says that he is settled there now and ready to begin work in the fall for a Ph D in Game Management and Research. * Mr. Spiker, who now lives at lJranchport, N Y.„ was a former Iowa resident and one of the founders of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. To our older members, at least, he Is well known. — Ed.