IOWA BIRD LIFE

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE

IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION

VOL, XVII MARCH, 1947 NO- 1

OFFICERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION

President — Charles C. Ayres. Jr,, Ottumwa. Iowa
Vice-President — Dr. Robert F. Vane, Cedar Rapids. Iowa
Sec’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

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 organised at Ames. Iowa, February 28.
1923. for the study and protection of native birds and to promote fraternal re-
lations among Iowa bird students.

The central design of the Union's official seal is the Eastern Goldfinch, desig-
nated State Bird of Iowa in 1933.

Publications of the Union : Mimeographed letters, 1923-1928 ; ‘The Bulletin, 1
1929-193G ; 'Iowa Bird Life.’ beginning 1331,

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

Entered as second-class matter February 9, 193-2, at the post office at Winthrop,
Iowa, under the Act of March 3, 1879.

IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVII, 1947

O

THE SPRAGUE'S PIPIT

From a painting by E. W. StefFen.

I

I

SPRAGUE'S PIPIT AT HOME

• )

o

THE SPRAGUE'S PIPIT AT HOME

By WILLIAM YOUNGWORTH
SIOUX CITY. IOWA

Once again we made the long trek to Mr, E. T. Judds’ big south pasture
in the Big Coulee country near Cando, Towner County, North Dakota, during
the last two weeks of July, 1939. This time we arrived later in the summer
to get some first-hand information on the elusive prairie dweller, the
Sprague's Pipit. Various other trips to North Dakota had always been made
too early in the summer to find this species settled in their summer habitat,
for apparently this bird is the last of the prairie-dwelling species to get
settled on its nesting area

A bad prairie fire the previous fall had burned off this pasture and had

taken all the wooden fence posts in stride. For this reason, stock was not

pastured here during the summer of 1939, and the prairie grasses had grown
fairly rank, despite a definite lack of rain. Thus bird life had been given a

break for one season at least, although some of the earlier nesting species

must have been hard pressed to find sufficient dead grass clumps to nest
in, before the new green growth was heavy enough to hide a nest. How-
ever. by the last week in July, we found an abundance of the following
species: Baird’s Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow. Chest-
nut-collared Longspur, Lark Bunting, Meadowlark. Horned Lark and sev-
eral species of ducks. We were not fortunate in 1939 in finding any Prairie
Chickens on this area.

Sprague’s Pipit is a plain, brownish-colored bird, with white outer tail
feathers, which somewhat confuses them with the longspurs and Vesper
Sparrows, The flight of the bird is rather dashing and wild, strangely
similar to that of small shore birds. The long, pointed wings suggest the
lark family and add to the illusion of a larger bird than is really before
you, for the bird in the hand is small and of sparrow size.

The pipit suddenly springs from the grass, usually at some distance,
and mounts straight up into the heavens above, Upon reaching the desired
height, the bird begins swinging around in large circles, constantly flying,
sailing or coasting in an undulating manner. All during this flight, it gives
the sweet, tinkling song, sounding like tiny bells tinkling in a light breeze.
The song comes floating down to the breathless listener on the green prairie
far below. If is hard to believe w-hat heights the bird attains in its flights.
It cannot be compared to the high-flying hawks and waterfowl, but never-
theless great heights for a small bird so that the watcher has to look sharply
with lQx binoculars to locate the flyer, and look still sharper to keep the
songster in sight for the most thrilling part of the whole performance — the
plummet to the prairie. By using 24x binoculars, the observer could nicely
pick out the flying singer, but had to move quickly as the field of vision
was limited and a sudden turn of the bird caused it to be lost to view, and
then another search would be necessary to find this little dive-bomber.

The song period of the Sprague’s Pipit varies in length. When it Lasts
nearly one-half hour, as it frequently does, it is quite a strain on the neck
of the patient watcher below. One particular pair of pipits was watched
closely for long periods, and I found that the song period of the male bird
varied from 20 to 30 minutes. This is quite a sustained flight considering
that the average rest period between flights for this one bird was about
five minutes after which he would again fly upward for the clouds. One

i

4

IOWA BIRD LIFE — XVII, 1947

male sojourned in the sky for 25 minutes, then descended- Without landing
he skimmed along the ground for several hundred feet and again shot up-
ward into the heavens. This second flight was terminated 15 minutes later.

Flight observations were made during both cloudy f almost drizzly!
weather and in bright sunlight. It seemed that the birds possibly soared a
little lower during the cloudy periods. During these latter periods the birds
appeared very black against the sky. but when observed in the sunlight
the pipit became a silvery object floating beautifully against a background
of fleecy clouds.

Only diligent watching of the bird's every move rewarded the student
with the dashing plunge to the earth. If one lost sight of the flyer while
shifting tired muscles, it might be several minutes before he again could
chart the bird's course against the white clouds, and in the meantime (the
writer found this true many times) the pipit had plunged to earth and
left him looking up at an empty sky. The Sprague's Pipit suddenly stops its
undulating flight song and dives <or seemingly falls) to the earth, head first,
with closed wings. The drop is so rapid that at the moment the bird decides
to dive, he becomes invisible to the eye and is not seen again until he is
nearly to the ground, where he spreads his wings and tail preparatory to
landing somewhere near his mate. The height of the flight is a moot ques-
tion, but the writer thinks it is between 300 and 500 feet. Possibly in a spirit
of wild abandon, some pipits may go higher. The solution is to have some
kind aviator friend with a helicopter fly to North Dakota and settle the
question for posterity.

The female pipit often appears out of nowhere as the male descends from
his flight, and the two go dashing off across the meadows at a great speed,
suggestive of the flight of a pair of swifts. The wildness of the prairie
itself is the predominate characteristic of this bird, a species which does
not tolerate close approach. Few are the North Dakota bird students who
can boast of finding a pipit’s nest. However, the finding of a ground-nesting
bird's nest only means destruction by predators in most cases, so why find
them unless your particular expedition requires the task?

One fine morning in July we again had to leave our kindly host, Mr. E.
T. Judd, North Dakota’s premier ornithologist. We bade him farewell and
hoped in our hearts that in the not-too-distant future we could again enjoy
a pleasant visit with him and explore the bird life of his big south pasture.

DAVID L. SAVAGE: NATURALIST AND BOTANIST

By H. E. JAQUES

Iowa Wesleyan College
MT, PLEASANT, IOWA

David L. Savage, an outstanding pioneer naturalist of Iowa, was bom
June 30, 1377, on the farm selected by his father and grandfather as the
choicest spot in the middle west. It was weli watered, had an abundance of
timber to make rails for the worm fence to enclose the fields, and wood to
furnish fuel for the fireplace of the modest, dwelling, which was always sup-
plied with an abundance to keep the well-ventilated abode warm and snug
against the storms and blizzards that came out of the North in such fury.

These fields yielded the double harvest — one of golden grain — the other
rich in golden thoughts and investigations of the abundant life. On all sides
plants, animals, insects and even reptiles were at hand to claim the atten-

DAVID L. SAVAGE

tion and interest of these sturdy pioneers of new fields. Wild flowers were
everywhere abundant, resplendent in color and curative in properties of
medicinal nature A few were poisonous and to be known so they could
be avoided- The weeds claimed attention also. They were problems for
the hoe and muscle as well as the brain. Those were strenuous times. No
eight-hour day. they worked from sun to sun; not only from sunrise to sunset
but the milking was done after supper, — ten or a dozen cows to be attended
even though muscles were tired. Mr. Savage recalls his father leading the
children to the dairy task after star-light, looking upward and quoting: "One
by one in the infinite meadowy of heaven blossom the lovely stars, the for-
get-me-nots of the angels". A wonderful heritage— a panorama not seen
at the movies — not often seen or appreciated by any of us. His mother was
keen to the beauties of the flower and window gardens, not counting the
care of these as an irksome task, but a pleasant undertaking, rich in harvest
of beauty and culture. This was the heritage which the young Savage
stepped into on that June morning seventy years ago.

DAVID L. SAVAGE

This photograph, by Dr. T. C. Stephens, was made at the
‘'Hanging Bog'' of Silver Lake, in Dickinson County, July,
1946. At this time Mr. Savage was visiting Lake Okoboji
on a collecting trip of several months duration to various
points in the western part of Iowa,

IOWA BIRD LIFE — XVII, 1947

(}

How did he first become interested in birds? From one of his father's
family, William Savage, who was a lover and painter of birds, whose bird
portraits now decorate the Historical Building of Iowa.

The eighties were still the days of the open range — the cattle were
running out in the woodland and prairie even though the fields were fenced
with the rails laid up in “stake-and-rider” form. Every evening, unless the
cattle had been herded, it was the small boy’s task to bring home the cows
by sundown. It was on the prairie he was educated and one could wish no
better school. All those qualities which make for character were those
in his every-day life.

Some days were rainy, cold or windy; others were perfect days when
a cool breeze kept the earth in tune. There was tall slough grass, in places
tickle grass, blue giant, white clover, red clover and pitchfork grasses. The
sloughs were treacherous but contained mysterious plant and insect life. He
saw the little black moving specks in the water, which one day were round
and the next day with a tiny growth on one side and soon a tadpole; then
a frog, sitting on a lily pad. In the fall the frog dug himself in for the
winter; and in the spring the young naturalist watched the cycle, while
keeping Bess and Red and Roan in their places.

He was there when the Red-winged Blackbirds came singing their
"Okalees” in the willows and on the swaying reeds, A little later they were
joined by "Bob and Mary O’Linkams,” and the Cowbirds. There were the
calls of the Killdeer, the "thump-ka-lump” of the Bittern, the graceful
heron, and the homely Kingfisher, There were minnows in the small recesses
at the edge of the slough; “lucky-bugs” darting about in their iridescent
glory. The green grass snake slithered along in the shallow water. There
were ants to watch as they carried their loads up and down grass stalks
and added it to the building of a home. He says, “No airplanes have ever
thrilled us as the sudden zooming of a giant dragon-fly.’* At night the children
looked up at the deep blue prairie sky studded with a million stars.

Like many others of his day, David L. Savage did not have the oppor-
tunity of college training. The rural school and Whittier Academy furnished
his formal education. His Interest in books and in outdoor life marks him
as a highly educated man. His membership in the following scientific organi-
zations points to his interests: Iowa Academy of Science, American Botanical
Society of America, American Fern Society, American Forestry Association,
Sullivant Moss Society, Iowa Ornithologists’ Union.

For four years ( 1894- 98 ) he served as editor of the ‘Iowa Ornithologist’,
and during the same period was secretary-treasurer of the Iowa Ornithologi-
cal Association. His Notes on the Birds of Henry County, Iowa’ (Oologist,
Vol. X, 1893. pp, 325-326), ’Through Naturalist’s Eyes' (Iowa Ornithologist,
Vol IV. July, 1898. pp. 4-11 1 , and 'Birds of the Midland Region’ (appearing
in 1898 in Midland Monthly) are three of a number of his nature publications.

For many years he has been building the “Savage Herbarium of Iowa
Flora” and spends the spring and summer months collecting in every county
throughout the state. He has a total of 35,000 specimens representing more
than 2,000 species of Iowa plants. It is his ambition actually to collect in
the field every species of flowering plant known to the state. From this
great herbarium and his wide knowledge of plants he is writing a reference
work on ‘The Wild Flowers of Iowa’.

Permit us to quote from a letter he wrote us while on his 1946 collect-
ing trip: “Yesterday we found the fruits and flowers of the prairie: yellow
star flowers, hidden deep In the grass, sweet flags, blue iris, sweet Williams,

CENSUS OF PAMMEL WOODS J

snow-drops, thistles, yarrow, rue, tansy, mustard, timothy, clover and other
blooms which have been familiar through the years. And so as I look out
on the prairie meadow. I know it was there I learned the attributes of the
soul with which I am endowed: patience, gentleness, kindness, charity,
hospitality, the worth of labor. Dreams come true .... When I see a
dragonfly I also see a boy lying on his back in the grass with a straw hat
shading his eyes — regarding the flying insect speculatively as he soars and
dips, I see t tired little boy coming up the old cow-path from the prairie
toward home with the setting sun flowing on his dirty, freckled face."

In the nineties came the breaking of the last of the original prairie in
the vicinity of the Savage homestead. The booming of the Prairie Chickens
in the early spring mornings was soon to be hushed, — a thing of tender
memories but not to be repeated year after year as in the ages past. The
Wild Turkey and the Ruffed Grouse soon were to disappear with the cutting
of the woodlands and brush lands. They follow the way of the rail fences,
fond treasures of memory and carefree days.

After his marriage he settled on a farm within a mile of the homestead
where he was born and grew up. It was a good home, filled with devotion,
friendliness and high ideals. His six children, now through high school
and college, are married in their own happy homes and have gladdened
the heart of their father with 19 grandchildren.

Mention has already been made of Mr. Savage’s love for books. His
private library now numbers nearly SO, 000 volumes, which he treasures
as trusted friends.

Mr. Savage toured the state with us one summer on our Iowa Insect
Survey, It was a grand privilege to meet him so intimately and to know
better this pretty-much-self-trained but thorough-going and reliable natu-
ralist. His kind are altogether too few.

BREEDING BIRD CENSUS OF PAMMEL WOODS
IOWA STATE COLLEGE, 1945

By JOHN D. LATTIN and GEORGE O. HENDRICKSON

Pummel Woods is a 30-acre woodland preserve at the northwest corner
of Iowa State College campus. The tract is well-forested with an upland
oak-hickory association on the higher three-fourths and with flood-plain
maple-linden association on the lower one-fourth along Clear Creek, which
runs diagonally from southwest to northeast through the preserve. Numerous
trees are 40-50 feet tall and about one foot in diameter at breast-height.
Several thickets of hazelnut, sumac, and elderberry are found at thinly
treed spots. A small 30-year old planting of cedars and buckthorn together
with three acres of a 10-year growth of black locusts and elms are at the
northwest corner of the preserve. Asters, goldenrods and other usual tall
herbs are moderate in stand on the upland, whereas nettle, Virginia knot-
weed. jewelweeds and other tall herbs are dense in the lowland in summer.
There are approximately three standing dead trees to the acre over the
preserve and numerous fallen trees lie along and across the creek, the un-

Journal paper No. J-1413 of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment station. Agricultural
Experiment Station Project No. i>39 and Industrial Science Research Institute Project No 17
The Fish and Wildlife Service (U. S. Department of the Interior), Iowa State College. Iowa
State Conservation Commission and the Wildlife Management Institute cooperating

IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVII. 1947

S

disturbed accumulation of the last 15 years. There has been no live-tree
cutting on the area for about 90 years. The small, heavily-wooded college
cemetery at the south end is considered a part of the preserve.

The C, and NW. Railroad right-of-way separates the preserve from the
sparsely wooded college golf links at the north and the two areas adjoin
at the east. Across the highway at the west, a residential district is fitted
into the upland and lowland forest similar in original composition to Fammel
Woods. At the south, lie an extensive grassed athletic field and a narrow
thicketed hillside, separated from the preserve by Pammel Road,

Following numerous short visits to the preserve in the spring, more in-
tensive observations were made during a total 65-70 hours at various times
of day in 14 trips from June 23 to August 25, 1945. A cold, wet spring and
cool summer with more than normal precipitation summarize weather con-
ditions for the period.

By counting the active nests found, adults feeding young, and singing
males, the following numbers of possible pairs of nesting birds were de-
termined: Cooper's Hawk (1), Mourning Dove (1) Crested Flycatcher (1),
Wood Pewee (1), Flicker (2), Red-headed Woodpecker (2), Downy Wood-
pecker <3 ) T Blue Jay (2), Black-capped Chickadee (2), White-breasted Nut-
hatch fl), House Wren (3), Catbird (3», Brown Thrasher (3), Robin (2),
English Sparrow (1), Cardinal <2), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2), Goldfinch
(2), and Red-eyed Towhee (1). A total of 35 possible nesting pairs of 19
species was recorded.

Polderboer (Bird Nesting Ecology in Central Iowa, Iowa Bird Life.
9:22-23) reported 39 nesting pairs representing 20 species, exclusive of six
female Cowbirds, from this preserve, then known as North Woods, He
found nearly every ground and shrub nest parasitized by the Cowbird; the
writers found no Cowbird egg in any nest and saw no young Cowbirds at
the preserve, Polderboer reported nesting pairs of five species not found
in 1945. namely. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker. Red-
eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush and Chipping Sparrow. The writers found nest-
ing pairs of Blue Jay, White-breasted Nuthatch and Robin not reported by
Polderboer. A Phoebe pair seen several times in spring at the southwest
corner of the preserve did not remain to nest under the bridge as Polder-
boer reported and as has usually occurred in past years. Red-bellied Wood-
peckers were seen in the tract during spring, 1945. One of two Barred Owls

resident during the previous winter was found dead April 9 and the other
left the area about May 10. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Wood Thrush
and Red-eyed Vireo usually seen at least in spring visits were not observed
at the area in spring, 1945, which yielded the least species in field observa-
tions of the past 10 years.

The Cooper’s Hawk pair were not observed to molest other birds of the
preserve, but the cry and flight of a Cooper’s Hawk silenced other birds of
the area for a short time, A pair of Downy Woodpeckers reared a brood of
two about 25 feet from the hawk nest. As the hawks were seen to leave

the preserve frequently, it is assumed that they obtained most of their

food outside the area.

Approximately one-half of the nests were found at two centers of activity.
As may be expected, there was a concentration of nests in the shrubbery
and low trees at the northwest corner of the preserve. A second thicketed
center was situated along the creek near the south end of the preserve. There,

BICYCLE ORNITHOLOGY

9

shrubs came in following the felling of a number of large trees by the
meandering creek in several flood periods during recent wet years.

The following were noted as frequent visitors to the preserve, presuma-
bly for food: Bob-white, male and female; Flicker, male and female; Red-
headed Woodpecker, male and female; House Wren, male and female; Bronzed
Crackle, two males and a female; Cowbird, two males and two females;
Goldfinch, male and female. It was assumed from the regular timing of
the visits of most of these birds and the aerial paths followed that most of
them had nests and young nearby.

These 1945 data were reported in Ninth Breeding Bird Census edited by
Margaret B. Hickey. Section II, of the Audubon Magazine, Nov. -Dec.. 1945,
from which comparison with other reports may be made. Pammel Woods
supported a nesting population rated at 233 adult birds to 100 acres. A. H
Claugus from a 35-acre upland oak -hickory forest reported a rate of 366
adult breeding birds to 100 acres, and a summary table shows a yearly
average of 253 adult nesting birds per 100 acres for eight years, 1937-1945,
inclusive except for 1943, His lowest rate of 194 came in 1940, after the
severe winter of 1939-’40 and an unfavorable spring, and his highest of 366
adults in 1945. The maple-linden association of Pammel Woods had about
twice as many nests in relation to acreage as had the oak-hickory association
or a rate of about 300 adult breeders to 100 acres on the maple-linden
portion and 150 on the oak-hickory section. Nearest for comparative pur-
poses are the rates from a dense lowland beech-maple forest of 55.3 acres,
reported by E.O. Mellinger and P. A. Stewart, who found 510 adult birds
to 100 acres in 1945, and an average of 459 adults to 199 acres from 1940-1945,
inclusive, with a low of 405 in 1941. C. A. Dambach noted 506 adult breeders
to 100 acres on approximately 8 acres of an ungrazed sugar maple tract,
and 129 adults per 100 acres on approximately 12 acres of a grazed sugar
maple tract which lack the shrubs and taller herbs of the former. He noted an
average of about five times as great a population of breeders in the ungrazed
as in the grazed over a five-year period. 1940-1945. J. J, Murray reported the
highest density of breeding birds of 24 areas, 1130 adults per 100 acres in
1945 and 1060 per 100 acres in 1944 from 20 acres of lightly grazed open
mixed hardwoods in Virginia, Of 16 repeat censuses, seven showed 10
percent or more increase of adult birds in 1945 over 1944, four little or no
change and five marked decreases. Of six repeat censuses from Ohio areas
ranging from bur-reed marsh to upland oak-hickory forest, four showed
gains in the past two or three years, the bur-reed marsh no change in 1945
from 1944, and the sugar maple grazed and ungrazed a loss of about six
percent in 1945 from the previous year.

BICYCLE ORNITHOLOGY

By JAMES HODGES

DAVENPORT, IOWA

The well known Iowa ornithologist, Myrle L. Jones, wrote an excellent
article on ‘Gasoline Ornithology (Iowa Bird Life, March, 1946), in which
he described the advantages of employing the automobile for locating birds
along the roads in Iowa, He gave reasons why the auto was an excellent
means of transportation for finding birds, and mentioned some of its dis-
advantages. It is not my purpose to take issue with Mr. Jones on his “gaso-

10

IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVII, 1947

line ornithology", but I would like to take this opportunity to write about
■ bicycle ornithology ”.

When I was a small boy I lived at Preston, Iowa, but I can remember
very little about the birds of that area. Most of my bird-watching was
concerned with the birds that came around our house such as the Robin
and the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Field trips at that time were limited
to nearby pastures and fields. As I became older my parents and I moved
to Davenport, Iowa, Not long after we had moved to Davenport. I became
the proud owner of a second-hand bicycle. I at once realized the unlimited
possibilities of using a bicycle for means of transportation on field trips.
The larger the area I could cover with my bicycle, the more new birds and
birding places I found. I came to the conclusion that the bicycle was a
great advantage and had very few disadvantages. The first difficulty I
met was the rattle of the fenders over rough country roads. This seemed
to frighten the birds. By a simple operation, after finally getting my parents’
consent. I removed the fenders and was really fixed to travel,

The following things are cited as distinct advantages of the bicycle over
the automobile for use in ornithology. In the first place. I had nothing to
obstruct my vision nor did I have to go through all kinds of motions to see
what I wanted to see. In the auto one has to stoop and crane one's neck
to see out of the car window. The roof of the car stops vision directly
overhead. With a bicycle you can stop more easily and more quietly than
with a car. I can stop and park my cycle in a nearby ditch and then give
chase to a rare bird. Or I can explore the nearby woods without fear of
violating some law or having my bicycle sideswiped by a passing auto, as
might be the case with a parked car. As to the money end of it. it costs
almost nothing to keep a bicycle compared to a car. My only annual ex-
pense is buying a new set of tires and perhaps a few minor repairs.

I should say here that by riding a bicycle I have more freedom than
with a car. With considerable practice I became quite expert at riding “no-
handed." By mastering the art of no-handed riding I can make free use
of my field glasses and at the same time keep on riding.

I have described the advantages of bicycle ornithology, so in all fairness
T should tell a little about the disadvantages. I met my first difficulty on
the country roads, in particular those roads that are covered with gravel.
Cars traveling at a high rate of speed over the gravel leave a cloud of dust
that can not be seen through. One way of overcoming this difficulty is to
shut the eyes and keep right on going. If it is found that a direct course
cannot be kept, the best thing to do is to stop. One may at some time
get away from home and a sudden storm will come up, with no convenient
place for shelter, The best thing to do in such a case is to keep right on
going as nothing is so refreshing as a bicycle ride in a clean rain storm.
Try it some time!

I am not the first or only ornithologist to make use of this type of
transportation. Chas, J. Spiker (‘Feathered Victims of the Automobile”,
Wilson Bulletin, March, 1927. pp.11-12) wrote about the bicycle: “During
the year 1926, the writer covered over 3,500 miles by bicycle within the state
of Iowa. Let me say at the outset that there is no better means to a
ornithological end than a bicycle, provided one is willing to “work his
passage Of course, one must not be in a hurry, but the greater charm of
a birding expedition by wheel is in being able to browse along by the way-

CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS

11

side, stopping easily for a close inspection of something that catches the
eye. and pushing the steed up a hill that defies both leg and lung power."
This quotation needs no comment as it speaks for itself.

In conclusion I might say beg, borrow, or rent a bicycle and find out
for yourself. If drivers and passengers in automobiles look at you as you
ride along no-handed, a pair of field glasses hanging from your neck, and a
notebook in your hand, do not feel ashamed. We are having fun and
what do we care if we look a little queer while we have our fun. For me
it is bicycle ornithology.

THE 1946 CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS IN IOWA

Compiled by FRED J. PIERCE

That the Christmas bird census is becoming an important annual event
among Iowa bird students, is demonstrated by the increasing number of
persons who participate. December in Iowa was a month of unusual mild-
ness. with little snow and an absence of severe cold until late in the month.
Christmas week was an invitation to be outdoors as much as possible, and
many lowans took part in the census, which we present here in our customary
form with tabulated list of species. The mildness of the weather is indi-
cated by the number of water birds listed this year.

Data on place, time, weather and the observers who reported are given
below.

1. ATLANTIC (vicinity of Sunnyside Park, west of town to areas along
Indian Creek, Atlantic cemetery, southwest along Nishnabotna River in
vicinity of Lewis, brush patches along roads: deciduous woodlands 60%,
coniferous groves 10%, open fields and roadside thickets 30%’): Dec. 29;
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cold, brisk day; 2 in, snow on ground from previous day
and night; wind NW to W, 15-18 m.p.h,: temp -8° to -3°; 7 miles on foot,
30 by car. Observers in 3 groups, Frank Berry, Don Bice, Miriam Goddard,
Frank and Gene Mallette. Gene Ruhr.

2. BACKBONE STATE PARK {Delaware County); Dec. 24; 9 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. Clear most of the day; light snow on ground; wind NW. strong;
temp. 28° at start, same at return; 4 miles on foot, 45 by car; trip included
an auto trip from Winthrop to the park and return, with inclusion of road-
side birds in the census. Observers together. M. L. Jones. F, J. Pierce.

3. CEDAR FALLS (Goose Lake, Beaver Creek, Union Bridge of the
Cedar River. Snag Creek, Josh Higgins Park; river bottoms 35% upland
forest 25%, savannas 25%, fields 10%. marshes 5%); Dec. 21; 8 to 11:30 a.m..
1 to 4:30 p.m. Cloudy except for 1 hour; 1 in. snow on ground; unfrozen
openings in streams; wind NW, 0-10 m.p.h,; temp. 2B° to 32 ■ ; total miles,
12 on foot, 28 by car. Four observers in morning party, 5 in afternoon
group. Martin L, Grant, Mrs. Russell Rugg, Mrs. Oren Paine, Mr. and Mrs.
Vernon Johnson, Eleanor Eifert (Cedar Falls, Audubon Society).

The Rusty Blackbird was seen by 4 people at 25 ft. with 8x binoculars:
huffy and brown head and body markings, yellow-white iris, and "cack"
call noted,

4. CEDAR RAPIDS (Cedar Lake. Cedar River quarry. Beverly, Ely,
McLeod Creek, Mf. Mercy Woods, Ellis Park, Manhattan Woods, Upper
River Road; open woodlands, woodlands along streams, farm fields and
pastures, lake area, roadside): Dec. 29; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30. 1:30 to 5 p.m.

i

IOWA BIRD LIFE — XVII, 1947

12

Largely clear with good visibility; iVa in. snow; Cedar Lake and McLeod
Creek open. Cedar River frozen over; temp. 10° at start, 14° at 1:30, 7° at
finish; total party miles, 8 on foot, 45 by car. Observers in 2 parties, Doro-
thy Hayek. Duane Nostril. Lillian Serbousek, Emily Steffen, E r W. Steffen,
Dr. and Mrs. Robt. Vane. Myra Willis.

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was observed by Emily Steffen and Serbousek.

5. DAVENPORT (Giddings woods, Credit Island, McMannus woods.
Holy Family Cemetery, Stubbs woods, fairgrounds, Cedar St. creek woods,
Fedj woods and park): Dec, 21; 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A steady but light
snow fell all day; Miss. River open in places; no wind; temp 20° at start, 33°
at return; 14 miles on foot. James Hodges.

6. DES MOINES (Crocker Woods, Des Moines River from Waukonsa
to a mile beyond Lovington Station. Sycamore Park, Dove and Kinglet
Woods along Beaver Creek, Brenton's Slough, Fisher's Lake, Pine Hill
Cemetery, Charles Sing Denman Woods, Walnut Woods, impounding reser-
voir recently built by Des Moines Water Works, Audubon Society sanctu-
ary; open woodlands, along streams, roadsides, cornfields near woodlands):
Dec. 22; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Clear; ground bare; light SE wind in p.m.;
temp. 23° to 41°; warmest fall since 1932 with temperatures ranging up to
69° in December; total party miles, 38 on foot, 109 by car. Eighteen ob-
servers in 6 parties. Albert C, Berkowitz, Woodward Brown, Mrs. A. J.
Binsfeld, Mrs. W. G. DuMont, Irene Smith, Mrs. Toni Wendelburg. Olivia
McCabe, Elizabeth Peck, Mrs. T. Pettit, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight T. Smith. Ber-
tha Miller, Mary Ellen Warters, Jack Musgrove, Mr, and Mrs. Lester Has-
kell, Bruce F. Stiles, Mrs, H, R. Peasley.

Des Moines data: Harlan's Hawk, found dead on highway; Evening Gros-
beak, studied at close range by Berkowitz and Brown; Arctic Towhee, rows
of white spots on back and scapulars seen distinctly, by Mr. and Mrs. Has-
kell, Stiles and Peasley; White-crowned Sparrow, studied at close range with
8x binoculars, by Mr. and Mrs. Haskell, Stiles and Peasley; Swamp Sparrow,
seen in swamp along open stream, observed in the same area, Dec. 14, by
Berkowitz and Brown; Wilson's Snipe, reported on Dec. 14, by Berkowitz
and Brown; Carolina Wren, seen almost daily in Mrs. J. N. Chamberlain’s
yard.

7. DeWITT (along R. R. tracks to Springbrook Country Club, across
country through meadows to Silver Creek, north then south along creek
to highway No. 30; mostly timber, hilly country): Dec. 30; 9 to 11 a.m.
Cloudy; creek frozen over; wind 0-5 m.p.h,; temp. 6° to 14* ; 6 miles on foot,
Arlen Peahl, David Luckstead.

8 DUBUQUE (Linwood and Mt. Calvary Cemeteries, Eagle Point Park,
Mississipi River sloughs on Iowa side, Catfish Creek area from Rowan St. to
the river; pine woodland 15 %, deciduous woodland 35%, untilled fields 25%,
river sloughs 25%); Dec. 22; 8:30 a.m, to 12:30, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Overcast in
a m,, clearing in p.m,: 1 in. fresh snow on ground; river open for considerable
distance below dam as well as spring-fed areas in creek, all other water
with thin layer of ice; wind W, 5-10 m.p.h.; temp 25° to 32°; total miles, 11
on foot, 4 by car. Nine observers in one party. Jess and George Crossley,
Myrtle and James Doekal, Henry Herrmann, Ed Heuser, Clifford Johnson,
David Reed. Ival Schuster (Dubuque Audubon Club).

Seen in the Dubuque area December 25: Red-tailed Hawk, Sparrow
Hawk, Bald Eagle, Screech Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker,
Cedar Waxwing,

CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS

13

9. FAIRFIELD (north and east of city to city water reservoirs, Walton
Lake and Walton golf course, Burlington R. R. tracks east D/z miles): Dec.
24; 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Clear, wind W, strong; temp. 40°: 6 miles on foot. John
D Goodman.

10. LEDGES STATE FARK< through Ledges to Boone and Jordan, and
along Des Moines River, Boone County): Dec. 22; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Partly
cloudy in p.m.: light snow of two days before mostly melted: no wind in
am., light wind in p.m.: temp. 16° to 40°; 40 miles by car; miles on foot,
2 and 6. Observers together part of the time. Mr. and Mrs, M. L. Jones.

11 MOUNT VERNON (center of town north to old golf course, south
of town to Upper Pal, Ivanhoe south and east of Cedar River to Dark Hollow
and Spring Hollow in Falisades-Kepler State Park: open farmland 50%, town
10%, park timberland 40% ): Dec. 29; 7:30 to 10:30 a.m,, 2 to 6 p.m Cloudy
with light snow in a.m.. clear in pm.; ground snow-covered: Cedar River
partly frozen; w'ind 19-24 m.p.h.; temp, 10° to 15°; total miles. 14. Ob-
servers together. J. David Ennis, J. Harold Ennis,

12. OTTUMWA (and vicinity, Cliffland, Lake Wapello): Dec. 22; 7:30

a.m. to 12:30, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Clear; light covering of snow on ground:

very little wind; temp. 26° at start, 31° at return; 10 miles on foot. 35 by
car. Bill Hoskins, Marilyn Watterson, Fearle Walker.

The Bald Eagle was in full adult plumage and was soaring quite low.
All three members of the group observed the bird through binoculars for a
period of ten minutes; could easily have been identified without glasses.

13. SIOUX CITY (War Eagle's Monument Park woods, confluence area
of Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers, lower Riverside woods, Riverview Park,
Riverside Park, area along road at foot of loess hills facing westward and
lying between Stone Park and Riverside, Stone Park, Plum Creek, Talbot
Road. Logan Park, Grandview Park, Northside, Westside, Floyd Park Ceme-
tery, Graceland Park Cemetery South Ravine, Crescent Park. Floyd River
valley from Springdale to Leeds and following tributary valley and branches
1 V 2 miles, wooded area on Joseph Rashimas farm, Correctionville Road at
4900 block area. Brower’s Lake, New Lake. Brown's Lake and woods; hilly
woodland, mature and immature deciduous timber, pine and cedar growth
50%, river and lake country with wooded lowland 30%, open hills 15%,
town 5%); Dec. 22; 8:30 am. to 5 p.m. Clear in a.m. to partially overcast at
noon, clearing in p.m,; ground mostly bare, a little snow in wooded areas;
very little frost in the ground; all rivers open, lake water low and frozen,
running water in one creek; wind SE, 15-20 m.p.h.; temp. 18° to 40°; total
party miles, 51 on foot, 91 by car. Twenty-two observers in 12 parties. W.
W. Barrett, Mrs. Wm. Eeuttler, Don Bushar, Mrs. Dwight F. Davis, Mrs.
Christa Dickinson. Mrs, E. A. Emery, Carl Fritzsche, Hazel Herman. Bro.
James Imhof, Bro, Russel A. Joly. Karl Kuhlmann, Mr, and Mrs, Jean L.
Laffoon, Joyce Laffoon. Zell C, Lee. Mrs. Axel Madsen, Richard Raun, Dr.
and Mrs, John L. Schott, Gertrude Weaver, Bertha Wellhausen, Carl Well-
hausen (members and guests, Sioux City Bird Club!.

Sioux City data: Red-shafted Flicker, observed by Bushar and Kuhlmann;
Purple Finch, flock observed by Jean L. Laffoon as eating ash buds.

14. SIOUX CITY TO HORNICK (Missouri River bottoms, an auto trip
in Woodbury County, with return by circuitous route): Dec. 22; 8 a.m. to
1 p.m. Clear to partly cloudy; trace of snow; brisk S wind; temp. 27° to
46^; 65 miles by auto. Observers together, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Youngworth.

(Continued on page 16 )

i

14

IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVII, 1947

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* See data under station in body of article.

Total Iowa list 75 species.

w

rOWA BIHD LIFE — XVII, 1947

There was a complete absence of usually common Lapland Longspurs
and Horned Larks, and of usually regular Red-tailed and Rough-legged
Hawks and Short-eared Owls.

15, SPIRIT LAKE (vicinity of city, around West Okoboji, over to Oak
Park and return): Dec, 22; 2 to 5 p.m. Clear; wind N, moderate; temp. 20°.
Observers together, Drs. F. L. R. and Mary Roberts.

There was open water on West Okoboji Lake, and thousands of ducks
were massed there; later a flock of about 1000 was in the air flying toward
the lake, about 10 miles west of it. The Golden Eagle was seen near Gull
Point, (All observations made in Dickinson County.)

OUR 1947 CONVENTION AT CEDAR FALLS

By CHARLES C. AYRES. JR.

The 25th meeting of the Iowa Ornithologists 1 Union will be held at Cedar
Falls. Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11. The Cedar Falls Audubon Club
will be hosts at the convention, and an excellent meeting is assured, though
at this early date details as to the program and local arrangements are very
meager. Plans include the showing of some very fine motion pictures and
vve hope to have an outstanding speaker for the evening program. The usual
fine and instructive papers will be presented during the Saturday session.
The annual field trip will be Sunday forenoon. A complete program will be
sent to each member at a later date.

Cedar Falls is centrally located with reference to the residence of our
members in Towa, and is in a region that offers fine birding territory. The
annual convention is the high spot of our year’s activities, affording inspira-
tional and social contacts that are pleasant memories all through the year.
Those who have attended previous conventions will be there this year, but we
especially urge our new members to come and get acquainted. Let's make
this 25th convention one of the best, if not the finest we have ever had

general notes

Eagles in Emmet County in 1944 .— In October of 1944 eagles were un-
usually common in the woods at High Lake. One or two were seen daily,
often perched in trees near residences. At dusk on the evening of October
22 four eagles were seen perched in the yard of the residence of Fred Wolden.
Three were perched in a dooryard cottonwood and one in another tree.
The species was not determined in the dim light, but they were dark-
plumaged birds and were perhaps Golden Eagles. — B. O, WOLDEN, Esther-
ville, Iowa.

American Egrets in Jefferson County.— I was at my home in Fairfield
from August 26 to September 15, 1946, and made a good many field trips.
I found many American Egrets on the Skunk River bottoms. Every slough
and backwater seemed to have several birds— often 15 to 30 Once I saw
about 75 in the air at one time; this was at a large cut-off body of water
about one mile from the Skunk River. There were undoubtedly several
hundred birds in eastern Jefferson County in the summer of 1946. A farmer
told me that a number of the birds were present from at least early June
but I found no evidence of their nesting. Each group of egrets that I saw
had one or two Great Blue Herons accompanying them— seldom more than
two. — JOHN GOODMAN, Ann Arbor, Mich,

GENERAL NOTES

Fall Notes from Charles Mix County, South Dakota, — On November 2,
1946, while on a hunting trip near Lake Andes, South Dakota, I disturbed a
flock of juncos and discovered a lone White-winged Junco in the flock. As
we slowly worked the field, we flushed this bird at least three times and
were satisfied of the identification. I have been familiar with this junco in
the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Laramie Mountains of Wyoming.
We also saw an adult Ferruginous Rough-leg Hawk and three Prairie Falcons,
These two species of hawks have often been seen by the writer in Montana
and Wyoming, Other birds seen on this trip were small flocks of Lapland
Longspurs and occasional birds of the following species: Pigeon Hawk, Spar-
row Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Marsh Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and American
Rough-legged Hawk— WM. YOUNGWORTH, Sioux City, Iowa.

Arkansas Kingbird at Davenport.— While on a field trip at Credit Island
cn July 31. 1946. I saw an Arkansas Kingbird, The bird was engaged in the
occupation of “fly-catching", and I came upon it rather suddenly. I believe
that this species is very rare in Scott County— JAMES HODGES. Davenport,
[owa.

Ring-necked Pheasants in Wapello County. — Six Ring-necked Pheasants
were seen on December 15, 1946, by E E. Wheeler and Vaughn Humes. They
were seen — three cocks and three hens — near Highland Center, north of
Ottumwa. On this date it was foggy and the temperature was just at
freezing— 32°, We had a good snow the previous night and it was our first
cold weather for a number of weeks. Since the pheasant is very uncommon
and seldom seen in our county, it seems likely that the birds were driven
south by the weather. — MARY EVELYN WOOD. Ottumwa, Iowa.

Bald Eagles at Burlington. — Earl Burroughs, bridge tender at the Bur-
lington route railroad bridge, reported that about 30 Bald Eagles took up
temporary headquarters on the ice several hundred yards south of the bridge,
in January, 1947. They were sitting along the edge of the ice. about 20
yards apart, in the center of the Mississippi River, and were presumably
fishing. One of our good birders counted 23 eagles on the edge of an air
hole, and said that many ducks were in the water. The eagles watched the
ducks to take from them any fish they caught. I saw a number of the
eagles but failed to get the large number. It was the first report of so many
eagles that I have heard in the 60 years I have lived here.— MRS. ELLA L.
CLARK, Burlington, Iowa.

Eagles Concentrate Along the Mississippi River. — Unusual concentrations
of Bald Eagles were reported at various locations along the Mississippi River
during January, 1947. The birds, feeding on fish, their favorite article of
diet, were found below the 9-foot channel dams where the water remained
open all winter. More than 30 of the great birds were observed at Bur-
lington. and observers reported that they exhibited bandit tendencies. Large
numbers of fish ducks in the same area were regularly robbed of their catch
by the eagles, which were less proficient fishermen. Except for these thiev-
ing tendencies, the eagles apparently did not molest the ducks.— JAMES R.
HARLAN. Iowa State Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa.

Shore Birds in the Spirit Lake Area. — During the nine days May 11 to
19, 1946, inclusive, while working in the area around Spirit Lake, in Dickinson
County, and Cheever Lake in Emmet County, the following shore birds were
observed in addition to the commoner species:

Piping Plover, May 13 (2).

Killdeer, one or more broods of downy young observed almost every day.

18

IOWA BIRD LIFE — XVII, 1947

American Golden Plover, May 19 ( 20 > near Spencer in Clay county.

Black-bellied Plover, May 12 (2). May 16 U>, May 18 (2), May 19 (3) near
Spencer.

Ruddy Turnstone, May 13 <3), May 16 (5>. May 18 (5b May 19 (3b

Upland Plover, May 16 (lb

Western Willet, May 11 (2>, May 12 (lb May 16 (lb

Greater Yellow-legs, May 12 (lb

Red-backed Sandpiper, May 12 (25), May 13 (10), May 14 (5b May 15
(20). May 16 (6b May 17 (10b May 19 (50), near Spencer.

Bowitcher, May 12 (20), May 15 <25 b May 16 (9), May 17 (7).

Stilt Sandpiper. May 14 (2), May 16 (7), May 18 (15).

Marbled Godwit, May 16 (2).

Hudsonian Godwit, May 11 (4), May 12 (6b May 13 (3), May 14 <5>, May
15 (3b May 19 <3 * near Spencer,

Sanderling, May 12 (1), May 13 (3b May 15 (25b May 17 (1).

Other interesting observations in the same area:

Double-crested Cormorant, May 12 (3), May 13 (2), May 14 (2), May 15
(4), May 16 (2), May 17 (1), May 18 (5b May 19 (3).

White Pelican, May 14 (28). May 16 (3G>, May 17 (3b May 18 (13).

Blue Goose, May 16 (14),

Ferruginous Rough -leg. May 13 (1).

Florida Gallinule, May 11 (1) near Gilmore City.

Bonaparte's Gull, May 13 (lb May 14 (lb May 16 (lb

Caspian Tern, May 16 (4), May 17 <lb— MR. and MRS JACK W. MUS-
GROVE. MR. and MRS. MAYNARD F REECE, Des Moines, Iowa.

‘Birds in Kansas' — Under this title the Kansas State Board of Agriculture
has published <1946* a 340-page book, written by Arthur L, Goodrich, Jr.
The book is not a scientific account of the birds of Kansas, and is intended
to arouse a popular interest in birds among residents of the state, in which
it will doubtless succeed very well. It contains a great deal of interesting
reading, which should appeal to those who are making their first acquaint-
ance with bird life. An appetite for bird study, as whetted by this book,
can easily be supplemented by the many available bird books with systematic
arrangement and detailed information. There are six colored plates by Mar-
garet Whittemore. and two of E. W, Steffen s full-page drawings are re-
printed from ‘Iowa Bird Life’. We wish that Mr. Steffen had illustrated the
entire book. The greater part of the 169 figures are rudimentary line draw-
ings, intended in their original publication for coloring by students. They
will be of very little help to beginner bird students and seem entirely out
of place in a book of this sort, besides taking up much valuable space. Our
copy was received from Dr. Ivan L, Boyd, of Baker University. It is our
understanding that the book is sent free to residents of Kansas, but is not
sold or available to outsiders. — F. J. P.

The Craw is Resourceful. — I was out deer shooting the first few days of
December, 1946 We came across a dead deer between the railroad track
and the fence. The deer evidently got caught in Page wire fence. The
head and horns were through the fence, the body lying on the north side,
back to fence, with the stump of neck on body facing stump of neck on
head, a foot apart. The conclusion was that the deer had broken his neck
in the wire, as the fence was pulled off the posts. Inside the body of the
deer was a large excavation, beginning at the navel, and in that was a live
Crow with an injured wing. The bird had a path in and out and when

LOCAL BIRD CLUBS IN IOWA

19

first heard it was a few feet away from the deer. It had been 15 below zero
and there was 8 inches of snow on the ground, but I think the Crow probably
could have survived the winter here.— CARL E. AUSTIN. Winnipeg, Manitoba.

(Mr. Austin, a new member of the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union, was born
and raised on a farm near Marion, Iowa. Commenting on the winter weather
in Manitoba, Mr. Austin writes, in an accompanying letter: "A number of
years ago. we had a spell of from 50 to 52 below zero — at least it was that
75 miles from here, where we had a log cabin summer camp, built for all
year. A number of us spent a week there then, and we went out for a
walk every day!'’ — Ed.f

Observations at Marble Rock During 1946. — I saw several species for the
first time in 1946— Osprey, Prairie Marsh Wren, and Pine Siskin, Lapland
Longspurs were very numerous both spring and fall. On May 9 I counted
300 Golden Plovers in a cornstalk field. Thirteen Broad-winged Hawks
went over on September 29, and it was a beautiful sight as they soared and
circled but always worked their way south. I saw a Ruby-crowned Kinglet
on August 25, my earliest fall record, A yellowish-green Scarlet Tanager
with black wings and tail was here September 30. I am always thrilled to
see the tanager in this plumage. I had three records for the Tufted Titmouse
in October.

With the coming of winter we enjoyed the birds at our feeders. Since
we began winter feeding several years ago. the birds have increased in num-
bers at the feeders each year, with the peak reached during the past win-
ter. We had Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Downy and Hairy
Woodpeckers. Flickers joined the boarders this past winter, and I believe
i f is first time they have wintered in this area. Two Blue Jays and a
Brown Creeper also put in an appearance at the feeders. The Brown Creeper
was as much fun as any that I have watched; he always seems to have to
come up from the bottom A Crow ventured almost to the suet (tacked
to a tree » one morning. Those of you who have never put out pumpkin
and squash seeds with the other feed should try it next year. These seeds
are close rivals of sunflower seeds in popularity. We also had Slate-colored
Juncos and Tree Sparrows, which liked to feed on what was dropped to
the ground by the other birds eating at the shelves, seed-house. Chickadee
diner, and suet-box.— PEARL R. KNOOF, Marble Rock, Iowa.

LOCAL BIRD CLUBS IN IOWA

CEDAR RAPIDS.— The Cedar Rapids Bird Club opened its 1946-1947 sea-
son with a dinner meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Steffen in
September. Observations of summer birds were reported on. after which
Mr. Steffen showed his most recent bird paintings. In December Mr. W. J.
Breckenridge of the University of Minnesota presented an illustrated lecture
of four films, including "Swans. Swallows and Spare Time’’ and "The Sand-
hill Crane". Two social meetings are sponsored by the Club annually: a
dinner in February and an outdoor picnic in June.

Four members. Mr. and Mrs, Steffen, Miss Myra Willis and Miss Lillian
Serbousek, attended the annual convention of the Wilson Ornithological Club
at Omaha in November. Among the bird paintings on exhibit at the Joslyn
Memorial Building were five water-colors by Mr. Steffen.

At present the membership list of the Club totals 54, with the following
officers; Pres., Miss Lavina Dragoo; Vice-Pres.. Harry Kelley; Sec.-Treas
Miss Margai et Dickey. The Club at its January meeting voted to join the
Iowa Ornithologists’ Union as a Contributing Member.

20

IOWA BIRD LIFE— XVII, 1947

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Our President, Charles Ayres. Jr., spent a month or more in California
from mid-December to mid-January, and reports a very fine trip and an en-
joyable time in the West. He added several species to his Life List* among
them the Yellow-billed Magpie, Sage Sparrow and Surf-bird. On January
9 he gave an illustrated talk before the Los Angeles Audubon Society, in
the auditorium of the downtown Los Angeles public library. This was en-
titled “Glimpses of Iowa Birds", and he showed his colored slides of Iowa
birds.

At our Mt. Vernon convention last May, two new classes of membership
were created — Supporting Member with $3 annual dues, and Contributing
Member with $10 annual dues. When Treasurer Serbousek sent out dues
notices shortly after the first of the year, she very thoughtfully included an
invitation to our members to avail themselves of the advanced membership.
The response has been very gratifying, and at this writing (Feb. 15) the
following people have enrolled in the new membership groups:

Supporting Member. Atlantic Bird Club, Chas. C. Ayres Jr.. Mrs. Mary
L, Bailey, Wesley H. Bartlett, Mrs. Don C. Bice, Henry Birkeland, Cedar Falls
Audubon Club, C. S. Fitzsimmons, Mrs, Henry Frankel. Dr. Warren N. Keck,
Zell C. Lee, Jas. W. McCutcheon, Ottumwa Bird Club. Eugene Ruhr. Lillian
E. Serbousek, Mrs. W. D, Shuttleworth. Mrs. Dayton Stoner, Dr. Robt F.
Vane, Clarence O. Peel.

Contributing Member. Cedar Rapids Bird Club.

Dr, Rudolph M, Anderson, of Ottawa, Ontario, well known as an Iowa
ornithologist of former days and author of the Birds of Iowa’ (1907), wrote
a very interesting letter when sending in his dues on February 1. From this
letter we quote the below paragraph:

“For many years my work has been mostly with mammals, but I have
tried to do some work with birds, although I have not published much in
that line lately, I was retired from the position of Chief of the Division of
Biology on June 30, 1946. after over 30 years' work for the National Museum
in every Province of Canada, but have not had much rest, although I spent
about two months in a cottage in one of the few small areas of primeval
forest in this region, about 70 miles north of Ottawa in the Laurentian Moun-
tains. It is a great breeding place for warblers, and many of the species
that I knew only as migrants in Iowa nest on the island — Black-throated Blue,
Blackburnian, Northern Parula. Black-throated Green, Myrtle, Canada,
Black and White, Cape May, and others on the mainland, I have been
hoping to do some more intensive work on birds, after retiring, but I seem
to be as busy as ever on other things, I was appointed Honorary Curator
of Mammals in the National Museum of Canada, and shall have an office
in the Museum so that I can do some scientific writing. My book, entitled
‘Catalogue of Canadian Recent Mammals' (Nat Mus, Canada Bull. 102, Biol.
Ser. 3D, which was approved and sent to the Printing Bureau in August,
1945, was delayed in printing and was not issued until January 24, 1947

"I have not been in Cedar Rapids for many years, but when working
on the Birds of Iowa’ at the State University, I often saw the late Professor
Bert Bailey of Coe College, and visited at his home to see his bird collections.
A1 that time, between 1904-06. he had a Japanese boy named Kurata living
with him; he worked for Bailey and later graduated from Coe College. I
see Mr. Kurata occasionally when I go to Toronto, where he has been work-
ing in the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology for 25 years or more . , .

As we go to press we have the sad news of the death of our former Vice-
President, Ethan Hemsley, at Dubuque, March 7,

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