+‘ — " * MED PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE j II0WA 0 IR A IIT IH 0 IL00 II ST S v UAII0N! j VOL. IV SEPTEMBER, 1934 NO. 3 j I I | i j OFFICERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION Pro si dent — Di\ George 0. Hendrickson, Ames, Iowa Vice-President — J. Wilbur Dole, Fairfield, Iowa See’ y-Treas.— -Miss Kate E- LaMar, Des Moines, Iowa Editor— Fred J. Pierce, Winthrop, Iowa ! Executive Council: Philip A. DuMont. Dos Moines, Iowa j Oscar P, Allert, McGregor, Iowa j O. S, Thomas, Rock Rapids, Iowa Ex-officio Council Members (Past Presidents) : Walter M. Rosene Walter W. Bennett Arthur J. Palas Dr. F. L. R. Roberts SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Iowa, $1.00 a year. Outside of ] Iowa, 50c a year. Special rate for all libraries, public or college, - 50c a year. Single copies 15c each. To all remittances made in | Iowa add 2 f /c> for State Sales Tax. Orders fur reprints from articles or extra copies of the journal must be in Lhe 1 hands of the editor before publication. Please notify the editor promptly of | ohiirme of address and state whether new address is permanent or temporary. * Field Notes on Iowa birds. book news, and historical or biographical material pertaining to Iowa ornithology arc desired for publication. EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION OFFICE WINTHROP, IOWA Entered as scco nd-elas. matter February 9. JDH2. at the post office at Winthrop. Iowa, under the Act of March d, 1S7D, 26 IOWA BIRD LIFE THE STARLING IN A SINGING ATTITUDE The Starling has spread faultily itvrr nearly fhe .vhole of Iowa (luriof? ihe last four years. It will scion become an abundant resident over the entire state, nesting in all available locations. Thi'i plate is f re m a drawimt by Ct-nrcrc Mikfch button and is reproduced through the courtesy of Hird-Lore.’ in which it was punlished in 1T27. THE STARLING IN IOWA 27 ADDITK >NAL RECORDS of THE STARLING IN IOWA By PHILIP A. DU MONT An article of mine delineating the range of the Starling in Iowa as determined in September, 1033, was contained in Tow a Bird Life, December, 1933. At that time there were records of occurrence in 3D of the 99 counties. H .. . .. , Within the past eleven months (to August, 1934) the writer has learned of unpublished records of the Starling in Allamakee, Winne- shiek, Webster, Grundy, Marshall, Jasper, Madison, Appanoose, Wayne, Page,’ and Fremont Counties, all made prior to September, 1933, These are enumerated below, , , In addition, observations of the Starling by various people, oelieved to be the first occurrences in each county, have been made in Des Moines, Howard, Mitchell, Worth, Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Butler, Har- din, Hamilton, Wright, Hancock, Winnebago, Kossuth, Humboldt. Cal- houn, Pocahontas, Palo Alto, Emmet, Dickinson, Clay, Cherokee, Sioux, Plymouth, Sac, Carroll, Crawford, Shelby, Audubon, Guthrie, Adair, Pottawattamie, Adams, Montgomery, Ringgold, Taylor, Warren, Mon- roe, Lucas, Wapello, and Davis Counties. None of these observations has been published elsewhere save for the possibility of a few having been used in local newspapers. Oscar P. Allert reported a flock of 11 birds seen at Waukon Junc- tion, ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, May Id, 1933. A single bird was seen by Mr. Allert at Canoe, WINNESHIEK COUNTY, November 11, 1931. The writer noted Starlings in a num- ber of localities in this county during May, 1934. In a letter from M. L. Jones of Pomeroy. June 24, 1934, a correc- tion was made in the report of Starlings in Calhoun County as pub- lished by Mr. Jones in 'Iowa Bird Life* for June, 1933. The observa- tion of four birds on March 4. 1933, was made along Lizzard Creek near Clare, WEBSTER COUNTY. In a letter from Mrs. Helen G, King of Grundy Center, December 11, 1933, she reported that early in the spring of 1933 a pair of Star- lings appeared at Grundy Center, GRUNDY COUNTY, and stayed to nest. Two specimens, a male and a female, in the study collection of the Department of Zoology, Iowa State College, were killed by Harlow B. Mills at Legrand, MARSHALL COUNTY, December 25, 1931. In January, 1934, Mr. Mills wrote that Starlings nested in several places around Legrand the previous summer. Mr. and Mrs, Haroid A, Brunner of Des Moines reported a flock of 12 Starlings seen June 12, 1933, east of Newton in JASPER COUNTY. Three birds were seen by the writer in the same county, two miles east of Kellogg, April 30, 1934. The first record for MADISON COUNTY was of a bird killed by a farmer near Macksburg, during the spring of 1932. This record was published in the ‘Winterset News.’ An effort is being made to learn the name of the observer and the exact date. A flock of 16 Starlings was seen by Miss Faye Blakey in the north- west part of APPANOOSE COUNTY, during August, 1933. Two were noted bv the writer one mile west of Centerville, May 12, 1934. Miss Faye Blakev reported seeing a flock of 17 birds during June, 1932, northeast of Corydon, Union Township, WAYNE COUNTY. Since then thev have been noted in several localities, nesting both last year and this. Charles E. Danker of Shenandoah stated that several Starlings were seen one and one-half miles northeast of Shenandoah, PAGE COUNTY, during the winter of 1932-’33. Harlow B. Mills found a pair one mile north of Clarinda, April 11 and 12, 1934 The writer noted a flock of 70 birds two miles southeast of Shenandoah, June o0, Mr. Danker reported Starlings present on a farm two miles west of Shenandoah, FREMONT COUNTY, during the winter of 1932- *3. Harlow B. Mills saw three birds in Fisher Township on May 3 , 1 36 *. On Mav 9, 1934, Harold M. Holland of Galesburg, Illinois, wrote that he had seen two Starlings on September 15* I MOTMr ^ nUNTY near Ray's Lake, 15 miles north of Burlington, DES ^ I0 J 1 NE t ^ (J C 1 0lT ^ Y - He saw seven or eight south of Kingston on March 21, 1934. Allen Green reported a flock of about 50 at the Allen Green Refuge ear y in the spring of 1934, The writer observed Starlings in a number of localities in Des Moines County on April 27 and -8, and on May 10, A flock of nine birds was noted by Oscar P, Allert at Maple Leaf, HOWARD COUNTY, December 14, 1933, A single bird was seen by the writer along the Winneshiek-Howard County line near Cresco on May 22, 1934. Also one was seen two miles east of Cresco, and one a mile west on the same date. .. T . rijrn r’nTTMTV The writer noted four birds at Little Cedar, MITCHELL COUNT \ , May 22, 1934. Two, flocks (8 and 10 birds) were seen by L T. Rode and the writer north of Osage, August 8, 1934. A mated pair of Starlings was seen by the writer at Kennett, WOKIH COUNTY, April 20, 1934, In CERRO GORDO COUNTY the writer noted a flock of eight birds four miles south of Mason City, April 19. 1934. Even while feeding with a large flock of blackbirds these Starlings foraged m pairs. Two birds were observed by the writer eight miles south of Mason City, April 21 1934, and one was seen five miles east of Rockwell on tne same date, Edward S. Gage, vice-president of the Cerro Gordo chap- ter. Izaak Walton League, informed the writer that Starlings weie reported in Mason City during 1933, . On April 19. 1934, the writer observed Starlings at the following places in FRANKLIN COUNTY; six miles south of Hampton seven; five miles south of Hampton, a mated pair; three miles south of Hamp- ton, another mated pair. On May 19, 1934, the writer noted a Star- ling four miles west of Ackley which flew from Franklin County into Hardin County. t . , , The writer observed a pair of Starlings one mile east ot Aredale, BUTLER COUNTY, April 21, 1934, These birds were feeding with a large flock of grackles. A pair was seen on the same date two miles east of Ackley on the Butler-Grundy County line. One was noted by the writer two and one-half miles south of Greene, May 19, 1934. A single Starling was noted bv the writer four miles south of Hub- bard, HARDIN COUNTY, April 21. 1934. On October 23, 1933, the writer observed a flock of seven starlings, two adults and five juveniles, in HAMILTON COUNTY, about 12 miles northeast of Boone. , „ The writer observed a flock of six birds along the east bank oi Cor- nelia Lake, near the town of Cornelia, WRIGHT COUNTS, April 3, 1934. f Five Starlings were noted by the writer one mile west of ixiemme, at the intersection of Highways No. 15 and 179, in HANCOCK COUNTY, April 3, 1934. , , \ single bird was observed bv the writer three and one-halt miles east of Rake, WINNEBAGO COUNTY. May 22, 1934. The writer observed a single Starling at th« south end ot Union Sloutrh. 11 miles northeast of Algona, KOSSUTH COUNTY, January THE STARLING IN IOWA 20 Walter Rosene and the writer observed two Starlings three miles south of Humboldt, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, May 5, 1934. L. N, Larsen reported seeing some Starlings northwest of Humboldt during May, 1034. The first record for CALHOUN COUNTY is of a single bird seen near Twin Lakes by M. L. Jones on March 20, 1934. The writer saw a single bird one-half mile north of the Calhoun-Green County line, south of Lohrville, June X, 1934. M. L. Jones reported seeing two birds north of Pomeroy in POCA- HONTAS COUNTY, May 20, 1934. A single bird was noted during September, 1933, but it was not determined whether it was in Poca- hontas or Calhoun Counties. Gerald B. Spawn observed a flock of five or six Starlings in PALO ALTO COUNTY, along the north shore of Lost Island Lake, late m December, 1933. Undoubtedly, this was part of the same flock noted just across the line in Clay County a few days before. Mr. and Mrs, Logan J. Bennett saw a single bird north of Lost Island Lake on May 5, 1934. Walter Rosene and the writer saw one near the same place the next day. The writer observed a pair of these birds perched in a tree along the southwestern bank of Iowa Lake in EMMET COUNTY, April 12, 1934. Both were in full breeding plumage. While permission was being secured to collect these birds, they unceremoniously flew away. The particular tree in which these birds were perched is within 35 feet of the Iowa-Minnesota state line. One bird was noted by the writer east of Armstrong, May 22, 1934. Another was seen two miles east of Wallingford, June 10, 1934. Two Starlings were noted by the writer two miles northwest of Milfoid, DICKINSON COUNTY, July 12, 1934. A male was collected from a flock of six Starlings seen four miles northwest of Ruthven in Clay County, December 9, 1933. These birds were with a flock of about 30 grackles. On December 13, 1933, a flock of nine was seen in the same locality. Four birds were noted near the Little Sioux River, three miles east of Spencer, March 19, 1934. Walter Rosene and the writer noted two birds at the southeast corner of Round Lake on May G, 1934. There is an unverified report of one shot by Don Campbell at Spencer during the spring of 1930 or 1931. A single Starling was noted by the writer in CHEROKEE COUNTY, March 19, 1934. It was seen perched on the cupola of Ingwer Christ- iansen’s barn 10 miles south of Cherokee, along Highway No. 21. An unsuccessful attempt was made to collect it. Two Starlings were seen by the writer four miles south of Maurice, SIOUX COUNTY, May 24, 1934. Harlow B. Mills noted a single bird at Westfield, PLYMOUTH COUNTY', March 24, 1934. Wm, Youngworth recorded (Wilson Bull. XLVI, p. G2) the first WOODBURY COUNTY record. Four were seen October 1, 1933, at Sioux City. There are three recent observations from MONONA COUNTY, in addition to the first report by Walter Thietje on March 24, 1932. During the spring of 1934, John Holst, Jr., of Denison, found two birds in the cupola of a barn. A single bird was noted by the writer near Blue Lake on May 25, 1934, and a pair was seen on the west side of the lake on May 30, 1934. On June 9, 1934, the writer observed a single Starling one-half mile south of Auburn, SAC COUNTY, and two birds three miles north of Carroll. CARROLL COUNTY, On May 2(> ? 1934, the writer observed Starlings in the following IOWA BIRD LIFE 30 localities: four and one half miles northwest of Dunlap, CRAWFORD COUNTY, two; four miles northwest of the same locality, one; two miles southeast of Manteno, SHELBY COUNTY, one; three and one- half miles northwest of Bailing, one; three miles northwest of Earl in g, four, both localities in Shelby County; one-half mile west of Kimbali- ton, AUDUBON COUNTY, one. , Harlow B. Mills reported seeing a flock of five birds near Guthrie Center, GUTHRIE COUNTY, December 28, 1933. The writer observed a flock of 22 Starlings one mile northwest of Taylor, POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, July 22, 1934. These birds were feeding with a flock of about 200 grackles. In a letter from Harlow B. Mills on April 16, 1934, he reported finding Starlings in the following localities: Bridgewater, ADAIR COUNTY, April 13, 1934, one; Corning, ADAMS COUNTY, April 10, 1934, one; Stanton, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, April 12, 1934, one. Mr. Mills listed an observation west of Creston, UNION COUNTY, on April 9, 1934, which is the second record for that county. On May ll f 1934 Mr. Mills found one bird a mile north of Mt. Ayr, RINGGOLD COUNTY. The writer noted one at Kellerton, June 29, 1934. Two adult Starlings and four young were seen by the writer six miles east of Bedford, TAYLOR COUNTY, June 29. 1934. James R. Harlan informed the writer that Idris Wright caught a Starling in his barn at Milo, WARREN COUNTY, December 6, 1933. The Indianola ‘Herald' of May 3, 1934, told of 0. K. Peasley capturing a Starling west of Center Chapel two days before. On May 4, 1934, the writer noted one bird three miles south of Liberty Center, and a pair eight miles southeast of Indianola. On May 4, 1934 the writer observed Starlings at the following localities in MONROE COUNTY: eight miles east of Albia, one; seven miles east of Albia, three; one mile east of Georgetown, one; Uvo miles west of Georgetown, one. The following observations of the Starling were made by the writer in LUCAS COUNTY on May 4, 1934: nine miles east of Chariton, one; five miles east of Chariton, two; seven miles north of Lucas, one. A sing.e bird was seen near the latter locality on May 12, 1934, A single Starling was seen by the writer near Agency, WAPELLO COUNTY, on May 4, 1934. Several were seen by the writer on June 6, 1934, both north and east of Ottumwa. A Starling was observed by the writer near West Grove, DAVIS COUNTY, May 12. 1934. Walter Rosene, Jr., saw three birds nine miles south of Ottumwa, near Floris, July 27, 1934. In addition to the above records, which are believed to be the first occurrences for each of the counties, the writer has observed Starlings several times in Lee, Van Buren, Jefferson, Henry, Louisa, Keokuk, Mahaska, Poweshiek, Polk, Dallas, Boone, Blackhawk, and Floyd Counties, localities from which there are already a few reports. The nine Iowa counties from which there were no reports of Star- lings on July 31, 1934, were: Clark, Greene, Mills, Cass, Harrison, Euena Vista, O’Brien, Osceola, and Lyon. ‘The QologistJ published at Lacon, Illinois, devoted its entire May, 1934, issue to "The Breeding Birds of Iowa,” by Philip A. DuMont. This valuable article treats briefly the status of every bird known to have nested in Iowa within the last two decades, and includes 144 species or subspecies. The data are fully up to date, the whole form- ing an outline which will be of much help to all Iowa bird students, who will thank Mr. DuMont for preparing this useful list. Copies of this issue of ‘The Oologist' arc obtainable from the publisher at 2fic each. — Ed. BIRDS AT EMMETSBURG, IOWA 31 DATA OX MIGRANT BIRDS AT EMMETSBURG, IOWA By LE ROY TITUS WEEKS LeRoy Titus Weeks (1854-1927) will long be remembered by Iowa bird students as a naturalist and a poet. The song of the Bobolink holds a greater meaning and beauty for me since heaving the late Rev. Weeks weave its bubbling notes into verse. Between the years of 1915 and 1925 Rev. Weeks kept a complete record of birds seen in the vicinity of Emmetsburg, Palo Alto County, Iowa. This summary of average dates of earliest arrival for 189 species of migratory birds at Emmetsburg was prepared by Rev. Weeks several years ago to be used in a publication by Mrs. Nettie S. Funk.* Subsequently, with the curtailment of Mrs. Funk's volume, these data came into my possession. (A photograph of Rev. Weeks appears in ‘Iowa Bird Life,' II, 1932, p. 2.) In the following list species which are permanent residents or winter visitors are not included. The abbreviated terms of comparative abund- ance, as listed by Rev. Weeks, are as follows: c — common; v.c.— very common; n.v.c. — not very common; r. — rare; v,r. — very rare. I have arranged the list in the order of the new A. 0. U. Check-List, and in several instances, such as in the case of the geese, I have substituted the presently accepted common names. — Philip A. DuMont. Loon, Apr. 13, c. Horned Grebe, Apr. 29, v.r. Eared Grebe, Apr. 25, v.r. Pied-billed Grebe, Apr. 14, c. White Pelican, not seen in 10 yrs. Double-cr. Cormorant, Apr. 11, c. Great Blue Heron, Apr. 21, c. Green Heron, May 10, c. Black-crown. Heron, Apr. 27, c. Am. Bittern, May 4, c. Least Bittern, May 7, r. Canada Goose, Mar. 15, c. Lesser Canada Goose, Apr. 27, c. Hutchin's Goose, Mar. 16, c. White-front. Goose, Apr. 27, r. Lesser Snow Goose, Mar. 27, r. Blue Goose, Mar. 12, r. Mallard, Mar. 18, c. Black Duck, Mar. 18, r. Gadwall, Mar. 30, n.v.c. Baldpate, Apr. 1, c. Pintail, Mar. 17, v.c. Green-wing, Teal, Apr. 9, c. Blue-wing. Teal, Apr. 5, c. Shoveller, Mar. 25, v.c. Wood Duck, Mar. 21, r. Redhead, Mar, 24, r. Ring-neck. Duck, Apr. 5, r. Canvas-back, Mar. 28, c. Lesser Scaup, Mar, 21, v.c. Golden-eye, Apr. 3, r. Bufhe-head, Apr, 9, r. White- wing. Scoter, Apr, 25, r. Ruddy Duck, Apr. 6, r. Hooded Merganser, Apr. 15, r. Am. Merganser, Apr. 30, r. Ked-br. Merganser, Apr. 10, r. Turkey Vulture, Oct. 1 and 4, only records. Sharp-shinned Hawk, Mar. 22, c. Cooper's Hawk, Mar. 27, c. Red-tailed Hawk, Mar. 28, c. Bald Eagle, seen twice in sum- mer-time. Marsh Hawk, Mar. 9, c. Osprey, May 4, c. Duck Hawk, seen once; date not recorded. Sparrow Hawk, Apr. 14, n.v.c. Sandhill Crane, Apr. 8, only rec- ord ; two seen. King Rail, May 27, r. Virginia Rail, May 6, c. Sora, May 3, c. Florida Gallinule, May 20, r. Am. Coot, Apr. 2, v.c. Semi-p. Plover, May 17, c. Killdeer, Mar. 19, v.c. Black-bellied Plover, May 25, v.r. Ruddy Turnstone, May 25, only record. Woodcock, May 18, only record Wilson’s Snipe, Apr. 27, c. Upland Plover, Apr. 22, c. Spotted Sandpiper, Apr. 24, c. Solitary Sandpiper, May 3, c. ‘Mrs. Funk, who wns a member of the De* Moines Audubon Society nnd n former member of the Iowa Omitliulokdsds' Union* diet! sit Des Muines on July ‘J. She was n iirDmim-r.t social worker und wsis author of several textbooks. including two on birds — "Methods of Uiid Study” and "'Uird Study Field Hook." — Ed, 32 IOWA BIRD LIFE Willet, May 8, r. Greater Yellow-legs, Apr. 15, r. Lesser Yellow-legs, May 0, c. Pectoral Sandpiper, Apr, 26, c. Least Sandpiper, May 26, c. Red-backed Sandp. May 25, v.r. Semip. Sandpiper, Apr. 27, r. Marbled Godwit, Apr. 20, r. Hudsonian Godwit, Apr. 17, only record. Sanderling, May 25, only record. Black-necked Stilt, rare; date not recorded. Wilson’s Phalarope, May 10, r. Herring Gull, Mar. 29, c. Ring-billed Gull, Apr. 9, v.c. Franklin’s Gull, Apr. 26, v.c. Bonaparte's Gull, Apr. 15, v.c. Forster’s Tern, Apr. 28, e. Caspian Tern, Mar. 20. r. Least Tern, June 20 and 24, v.v.r. Black Tern, May 12, v.c. Mourning Dove, Mar. 20, v.c. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, May 17, c. Black-b. Cuckoo, May 29, n.v.c. Whip-poor-will, June 4, 1023, only record. Nighthawk, May 23, n.v.c. Chimney Swift. May 5, v.c. Hummingbird, May 22, c. B. Kingfisher, May 21, c. N. Flicker, Mar. 20, v.c. Red-h. Woodpecker, May 11, v.c. Yellow-b. Sapsucker, Apr. 15, c. E. Kingbird, May 18, v.c. Ark. Kingbird. May 18, c. Crested Flycatcher, May 17, c. Phoebe, Mar. 23, c. Yellow-b, Flycatcher, May 19, r. Alder Flycatcher, May 12, r, Least Flycatcher, May 9, c. Wood Pewee, May 20, c. Tree Swallow, Apr. 27, c. Bank Swallow, Apr. 25, v.c. Rough-wing. Swallow, May 11, c. Barn Swallow, Apr. 29, v.c. Cliff Swallow, May 7, c. Purple Martin, Apr. 16, c. Red-br. Nuthatch, Apr. 12, r. House Wren, May 4, v.c. Winter Wren, Mar. 27, r. Pr. Marsh Wren, May 13, c. Short-b. M. Wren, May 17, c. Catbird, May 10, v.c. Bro%vn Thrasher, Apr. 26, v.c. Robin, Mar. 11, v.c. Wood Thrush, May 21, v.r. Hermit Thrush, Apr. 19, c. Olive-backed Thrush, May 12, c. Gray-cheeked Thrush, May 7, c. Willow Thrush, May 10, r. Bluebird, Mar. 11, c, Blue-gr. Gnatcatcher, May 16, u. Golden-cr. Kinglet, Apr, 5, c. Ruby-cr. Kinglet, Apr. 7, c. Migrant Shrike, Apr. 3, c. Bell’s Vireo, Apr. 27, Yellow-thr, Vireo, May 14, c. Blue-headed Vireo, May 14, c. Red-eyed Vireo, May 13, e. Phi.adelphia Vireo, May 12, c. Warbling Vireo, May 12, c. Black & White Warbler, May 8, c. Prothonotary Warbler, May 16, 1923; only record. Blue-wd. Warbler, one fall record. Tenn. Warbler, May 10, v.c. Orange-cr. Warbler, May 11. c. Nashville Warbler, May 25, c. N. Parula Warbler, May 6, n.v.c. Yellow Warbler, May 8, v.c. Magnolia Waibier. May 14, v.c. Myrtle Warbler, Apr. 18, v.c. Bf’k-thr. Gr. Warb., May 13, n.v.c. Blackburnian Warbler. May 16, r. Chestnut-sd, Warbler, May 8, c. Bay-br. Warbler. May 16, n.v.c. Black-poll Warbler, May 13. v.c. Palm Warbler, no date recorded Oven-bird, May 11, c. GiinnelFs W. -Thrush, May 4, c. Louisiana W, -Thrush, May 8, c. Conn. Warbler. May 16, r. Mourning Warbler, May 19, r. N. Yellow-throat, Apr. 9, v.c. Wilson's Warbler, May 14, c, Canada Warbler, May 21, c. Am. Redstart, May 14, c. Bobolink, May 8, c. E. Meadowlark, Apr. 18, n.v.c. W. Meadowlark, Mar. 12, v.c. Yellow-hd. Blackbird, Apr. 28, c. Rcd-wd. Blackbird, Mar. 14, c. Orchard Oriole, May 19, r, Baltimore Oriole, May 6, c. Rusty Blackbird, Apr. 18, c. Bronzed Grackle, Mar. 20, c. Cowbird. Apr. 14, c. Scarlet Tanager, May 10, r. Rose-br. Grosbeak, May 6. c. Indigo Bunting, May 29, n.v.c, Dickcissel, May 13, c. Purple Finch, Apr. 27, r. Goldfinch, Apr. 22, c. Towhee, Apr. 25, r. Savannah Sparrow, Apr. 11, v.c. Grasshopper Sparrow, Apr. 12, v.c. Ilenslow's Sparrow, Apr. 30, r. GENERAL NOTES n«_> oo Leconte's Sparrow, Apr, 27, r, Vesper Sparrow, Apr. 20, r. Lark Sparrow, May 20, v.r. SI ate- col. Junco, Mar. 10, v.c. Chipping Sparrow, Apr. 11, c, Clay-col. Sparrow, Apr. 2S, c. Field Sparrow, Apr. 0, n.v.c. Harris's Sparrow, May 1, c, White-cr. Sparrow, May 13, v.r. White-thr. Sparrow, Apr. 25, v.c. Fox Sparrow, Mar. 31, c, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Apr, 25, r. Swamp Sparrow, Apr. 20, c. Song Sparrow, Mar. 20, v,c. GENERAL NOTES Summer Field Work and an Announcement. The author spent the first eight weeks of the summer of 1034 with the birds and 4-H boys and girls in 25 counties of the state. At week-end camps and field- day meets he took the boys and girls on field trips to hear and see Bob-whites and other common birds of the fields and wooded pastures. In addition, the young bird-lovers were shown the conditions favor- able to birds and how to improve the environment for more bird life and at the same time improve the farm as a whole. He reme m b e r s particularly the M ockingbi rd heard and seen near Cornin g, July 12. the nu- merous Redstarts and red squirrels a t Rice Lake State Park, and the Great Blue Heron that posed in a tall, stragg- ly, white pine tree at Pine Lake, On August 15 r+r the work was taken over by Logan Bennett, who will devote all nis time for the next six months to teaching farm boys and girls of Iowa farms to care for Bob-whites, pheasants and songbirds. Mr. Bennett expects to supervise an intensive feeding program, especially in south- ern counties. We shall see that he is provided with a list of the mem- bers of this Union and suggest that you and he work together. If you wish Mr. Bennett’s services in the interest of birds, see your County Farm Bureau agent who can call him to your county without any charge to the county.- — GEORGE O. HENDRICKSON. non-WHITE ON NEST (Courtesy of Iowa State Cullece) An Experience with a Long-eared Owl,—— In the semi-dusk of eatly dawn, on November 4, 1933, I noticed a bird perched on a rock close by. On being Hushed, it made a low, short fiight of a few yards anil landed under a low shed. I followed it to determine, if possible, to what species it belonged. Reaching toward it, l took hold ot one wing anti extended it. The Owl (for such it proved to be) made no protest. Being in a hurry to go to my day’s work, I put the bird 34 IOWA BIRD LIFE inside of a closed building, for inspection and identification later. Upon my return at noon I found the owl dead. It proved to be a specimen of the Long eared Owl, and is the first and only one I have observed. Identification was verified by Dr. G. O. Hendr.ckson of Ames. Query: Was the owl sick when picked up or just usually tame? No injury could be detected. Keyes and Williams (1S89) state - “At Charles City, a Long-eared Owl was picked up on the prairie, several miles from any woods; it was not injured, yet allowed itself to be taken with the hand/ 1 — HENRY BIRKELAND, Nevada, Iowa. American Egret and Herons at Lake Okoboji.— On August 4, 1934, in company with Miss Mary A. Tyrrell of Lincoln Nebraska I visited a region of marsh and small lakes which adjoins West Okoboji Lake Here on a previous trip, we had found Great Blue, Black-crowned Night and Green Herons. On this particular morning our attention was drawn to a snow-white bird, heron-like in appearance. The border- ing willows enabled us to approach very closely, and we discovered that the bird was the Little Blue Heron in immature plumage After giving us a very satisfactory study, the bird flew to the sandy beach of a small lake adjoining this area. While we were watching it from the new view-point, another, much larger white bird flew m and dropped down near the Little Blue Heron, making a perfect contrast m size. This bird had a distinctly yellow bill, while the smaller one had a very dark one Bv referring to Forbush and other authorities we were assured that we had had the good fortune to see the American Egret and the Little Blue Heron.— LAVINA DRAGOO, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Carolina Wren Nesting in Allamakee County.— -On July ^.l, 19SL I found a nest of the Carolina Wren a mile and one-half north ol Waukon Junction, Allamakee County, Iowa. The bulky nest, contain- ing young, was located behind a small board that had been nailed to cover a decayed space on the interior wall of a low log shelter at the fisherman's camp of W. R. Wines. The building stands a short distance from the shore of the Mississippi River. One of the parent birds made several trips to the nest, entering the shelter by way of a decayed corner, and passed within ten feet of Mr. Wines and me as we watched. Entrance to the shelter was not possible, but the young were seen as they arose over the edge of the nest when the parent bird arrived with food. As far as I know, this establishes the most northern breeding record of this species m Iowa. — O. P. ALLLKl, Giard, via McGregor, Iowa. Unsuccessful Robin Nestings. — About June 10, 1934, a pair of Robins began building a nest in an elm tree about three feet from the wall of our house and ten feet from the ground; it was located directly under an upstairs window where operations could be easily seen. In due time four blue eggs appeared in the nest. The birds took turns brooding and shading the eggs as occasion demanded. After some five or six days had passed (some very hot) I noticed the nest was deserted but the eggs were still there. At about this time a pair of Robins began building a nest almost directly above the first nest but 30 feet from the ground. Observa- tions were impossible any further than to notice that the nest was finished and appeared to bo occupied a few days then also deserted. During all this time a flock of six or seven Screech Owls (evidently a pair of adults and a brood of young) also occupied the same Lee pait of every night. Query: Did the Robins desert their eggs because they were addled by the extreme heat or did the owls make a meal of the Robins?— E. D. NAUMAN, Sigourney, Iowa. GENERAL NOTES 35 Wanted: A Permanent Residence.— Prairie Horned Larks are com- mon winter residents throughout northwestern Iowa. A large flock gleaning weed seeds from the oat stubble is a cheerful and lively party on a winter afternoon. Those in the rear continually rise and fly ahead of the main group, so that one’s impression is of haste and impatience, whereas, in reality, the individual birds spend consider- able time threshing out the various seed capsules, and the snow is packed with a crisscross of tracks. The extensive laying aside of farm lands in the spring of 1934 under government contract seemed likely to be of great benefit to upland birds. As spring advanced Prairie Horned Larks remained and for a time were quite as abundant as the Dickcissel would be later in the season. To have Horned Larks breeding in this locality is ex- tremely uncommon, and there is no other explanation than that the weedy, uncultivated acres were directly the cause of their nesting here. During the latter part of May these charming little birds were still a prominent attraction in the field. Soon after this date, however, these areas were opened to hungry livestock and much of the cover was removed- Any nests yet in the field were consequently destroyed, and no adult birds were seen a few days later, the last recorded being June 6. Since these birds commence nesting very early, some ungrazed land must be left for them in areas where intensive cultivation is prevalent. What Iowa really needs is a prairie park suited to her various dwellers of the grasslands.— FRED G. BLISS, Washta, Iowa. Experiences with Birds in Des Moines. — I have had varied experi- ences with the birds on my home grounds this year. My greatest thrill was seeing a Prothonotary Warbler on my feeding-shelf the day before Mother's Day. The warbler stayed for three or four minutes and was much admired. There have been unusually large numbers of baby birds reared on or near my place this year. At times young woodpeckers have been very numerous. One Sunday we counted 40 visits to my large suet tray in 45 minutes, mostly Downy, Hairy and Red-headed Woodpeckers and Flickers The three suet sticks and five suet trays have been emptied repeatedly — I think the drought occasioned this. I found the earth worms remained deeper in the ground, so the birds had a hard time finding this class of food and resorted to the suet. I have seen Robins, Catbirds, Baltimore Orioles, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks try- ing to snatch off bits of suet, a difficult feat for them. Twice I had broods of young Crested Flycatchers filling the air with their calls, which persisted for two or three days until they sought other haunts. The Cardinals brought in their third brood about three weeks ago. They have raised many broods on my place during the last decade. The latest brood consisted of three babies. I had the pleasure of holding one of them in my hand for a few minutes. One of the little Cardinals was found hiding in an oak branch which had been broken from a tree by the wind and lain where it fell until evening. When I picked up the limb I found the small bird. It tried to fly away from me, but was still rather weak-winged. Its protesting squeaks brought the parent birds almost immediately. I did not wish to alarm them and l placed their babv on a low limb. All was well. I have a nest of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak 20 feet up in a beauti- ful bur oak tree. Four young were hatched, amt lately they have been entertaining me with their attempts at singing — a sort of squeaky gurgle. Another nest is a Mourning Dove's on the open roof of one of the latticed pergolas. Among my bird visitors are Robins, Brown Thrashers. Wood Pewees, IOWA BIRD LIFE O/? on Tufted Titmice. Chickadees, Nuthatches, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Catbirds, Bluebirds, Goldfinches and a pair of shy Bob-whites.— MRS. TONI R. WENDELBUKG, Des Moines, August 1, 1934. A Julv Day at No. 5 on Grandview Golf Course in Des Moines. Anxious to know what birds might still be seen at “No 5 which l is located near some woods where formerly dwelled the Wood Thiush and Ove n bird, we hiked over the green, through the ravine and a field near by and got the following list. GRANDVIEW GOLF COURSE. DES MOINES, IOWA There are still many oak, walnut and elm trees left in the ravine on which a full orchestra of Red-headed Woodpeckers, including many young, were beating a veritable anvil chorus, joined occasionally by Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. Crested Flycatchers and Wood Pe- wees were abundant, Blue Jays, Chickadees, Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Western House Wrens, Catbirds, Brown Thrashers and Bluebirds were there in goodly numbers. In quite a large patch ol boneset and Solomon seal we found a Yellow Warbler and Northern Yellowthroaf. A Baltimore Oriole, a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, a Cardinal and several Goldfinches added color. Bob-whites whistled. Mourning Doves and Chipping Sparrows as well as Kingbirds and Chimney Swifts were present, and directly upon the green where a rotating sprinkler was playing many Robins and young Flickers were busy enjoying their special delicacies, angle-worms and ants. When players arrived, five Red-winged Blackbirds would leave the green to take a position in trees nearby, and would return immediately when the players left, Bronzed Crackles joining them occasionally. Our surprise was not to find a single Meadowlark. This course, as others in Des Moines, is being enlarged. Many of the trees and shrubs will go down, and naturally it will soon be difficult to get a July list of 28 birds when the habitats of many have disappeared. — MR. AND MRS. A. J. PALAS, Des Moines, Iowa. Scarlet Tana^er Nest* on Golf Course. — A pair of Scarlet Tanagers nested on the Fairfield Golf Course this year. Unfortunately, they were either frightened away before the eggs were hatched or the nest was destroyed in some way. It is possible that the eggs were hatched before the birds were seen. The Scarlet Tanager is a rare bird in this locality, bird observers generally seeing one or more during the spring migration, and the finding of a nest is very rare. The strange thing about it is that the birds chose the most conspicuous place on the golf course for the site of their nest, within 20 feet of a pergola and well surrounded by scattering trees of small size. It was located on top of a branch about 20 feet from the ground. The writer wanted to secure the nest for the museum at the library or at Parsons College, but he waited too long and the nest was either blown away by the wind or someone else got it without permission. —PAUL S. JUNKIN, Fairfield, Iowa. Swainson'i Hawk and Burrowing Owl Breeding in Emmet County. — During an early morning stroll along the Des Moines River valley just north of Estherville on May 8 , 1934, I saw a Swainson’s Hawk perched in the top of a tall elm. The hrfivk seemed quite tame and when, after too close an approach on my part, it left its perch it still circled among the scattered elms that remained along the river bottom. Later, when I again saw the hawk in the same place, it occurred to me that it might have a nesting mate near by. A search among the trees re- vealed the nest located about 40 feet from the ground, near the top of a spreading elm. No bird could be seen on the nest from below, but a stick thrown up into the tree caused the female to leave the nest anti join the male, which was circling about and uttering occa- sional screams. I made no attempt to climb to the nest. The female was last seen on the nest on June 15. The next morning both birds were soaring over the dense woods nearby, but though I watched for young birds. E did not see any then or since. For over a month I saw no more of the hawks, but after July 20 the male was seen in the vicinity occasionally. Late in April, 1934, Albert Wolden reported a pair of Burrowing Owls on his farm four miles south of Gruver. On May G I visited the place anti saw both owls. They had taken possession of an old badger hole on a knoll. 1 did not again visit the place until June 24, but did not see the owls at that time. However, my brother saw them later, and about the middle of July saw a young owl outside the hole. He attempted to catch it, but it escaped into the hole. — B. 0. WOLDEN, Estherville, Iowa. BIRD BOOKS 1< 5ortg 5 of Wild Birds,*' by Albert R. Brand. This publication consists of a 91-page book and two double-faced phonograph records. The first part of the book is divided into three chapters which are entitled: Recording Bird Song (describing how the records were made); The How and Why of Bird Song; How to Use the Book. The second part (pp. 51-87) lists the 35 species of birds whose songs are contained on the records and gives considerable in- formation regarding their songs — -approximate singing dates, location when singing, calls, descriptions of songs, etc. The book is an indication that ornithology is keeping abreast of modern electrical science. In the past we have had phonograph rec- ords giving whistled imitations of birds' songs, but at best they were imperfections and only fairly suggestive of the real songs. Using the 38 IOWA BIRD LIFE latest electrical equipment Mr. Brand has S 0 " 6 ,, ^ c ome Vck! w \fu portable microphone and “sound tiuck and rva^ come iml nnt with^ imita ionTof bird,- songs but with the genuine article recorded nn ^ssoTnd films These filins are subjected to various mechanical processes in the laboratory* during which operation the songs are nermanently transcribed to the records which accompany the book The mechanical side of this work forms a very interesting story, which the reader will follow eagerly. When we read of the ^^ulties whicd Mr Brand faced* then listen to the recorded songs of Wood Thrush, Whip-poor-will, Cardinal, and others, we can appreciate how well he surmounted these obstacles and achieved his purpose. Success in reproducing the songs from the records will depend on the kind of phonograph used. We recommend using one with the modern electrical reproducing unit or speaker. Results on other ma chines are likely to be disappointing. These records have ^ reat e " cational possibilities, as well as offering opportunities for bird lecturers to have their audiences hear the actual songs of birds. The book is published by Thomas Nelson and Sons, 381 Fourth Ave., New York. The price (with records) is . J. * * * * * Permanent File, of 'Iowa Bird Life.’—Not long ago we made an attempt to locate all sets of ‘The Iowa O.m.tholog.st publ hed lSO^ 1898. Of the 23 known sets, only ten are in institutional libiancs. This magazine is rare and accessible to few because no apparent effort was made to have copies permanently filed in the libraries o. large institutions. This filing of copies should be the aim of the small ornithological publications whose circulations arc limited am whose careers are of uncertain duration. We have made an attempt to get complete files of ‘Iowa Bird Life’ into many institutional libraries where we may reasonably expect the copies to be bound and pieservcd. We plan to issue a full index at the end of each five-year period, when the copies can be convementlv bound with index. The hist index will cover the years 1931-1935. Below we give a list of our permanent files. A few of these are on our exchange list, but nearly all arc subscribers, We expect this list to grow. f American Museum of Natural History, New York; Bureau of Bio- logical Survey, Washington. D. C.; Cleveland Museum of Natural His- tory Cleveland, Ohio; Field Museum of Natural History. Chicago; Historical. Memorial and Art Dent, of Iowa, Des Moines; Iowa State College Library, Ames; National Assn, of Audubon Societies New York; Roosevelt Station, Syracuse University. Syracuse. N. Y.; Smith- sonian Institution, Washington, D'. C. ; The University Libraries Iowa City Iowa; TJ. S. Dent, of Agriculture, Washington. D. C.; Wilson Ornithological Club Library. Ann Arbor, Mich.; McGill University Library. Montreal, Quebec; Royal Museum of Natural History, Brus- sels, Belgium. , _ ^ , Public libraries in the following Iowa cities: Atlantic, Carroll. Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs. Des Moines, Dubuque, Marshalltown, Onawa, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Webster City. * * * * + Our stock of back numbers of ‘Iowa Bird Life' includes only 34 complete sets. Of some issues there are as manv as GO copies, but for most issues the number is considerably less. Those who need cer- tain issues to complete their files should cret them at once, as we shall soon sell the scarce ones only with comnlete sets. * :K * * * Contrary to his statement in “A Revised List of the Birds Iowa" (1033), Phil DuMont has recently learned that R. M. Anderson s Birds of Iowa" (1007) is not out of print. The Davenport (Iowa) Public Museum has at least 500 copies, which are available at $2.50 each. BIRD BOOKS 39 “The Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin," by Charles B. Cory, is still available though published in 1909. It is sold by the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, for $3 a copy plus 17c for postage to Iowa. It is a book of 767 pages, profusely illustrated, and bound in heavy wrappers. It contains much valuable material and is well worth acquiring, even though it is a publication of many years ago, * * * * * A new, revised edition of “The Birds of Louisiana" is to be off the press about the first of September, according to word received from the State of Louisiana Dept, of Conservation, New Orleans, by whom the book will be distributed. * * * * * The 1934 “Year Book” of the Indiana Audubon Society was issued in July. As usual, it is an attractive volume, well printed and illus- trated, Its 84 pages include many interesting articles on Indiana birds. The book is dedicated to A Men H. Hadley, who was the “guest speaker" at our Ames meeting in May. A portrait accompanies a biographical sketch of Mr. Hadley. Copies of the book are sold for $1 by the Secretary, Miss Margaret R. Knox, 4030 Park Ave., Indianapolis. * * * * + The Northeastern Iowa Press Association, Elkader, Iowa, has issued a very attractive map-folder called “Little Switzerland of America.” The map is pictorial and shows all the historic and scenic places in northeastern Iowa, The accompanying descriptive text is both inter- esting end useful. We note that Mr, Allert's bird museum at Giard is indicated on the map and described. The Press Association sends copies free to those requesting them. * # * + * Membership News, — Several of our prominent members have re- cently received appointments in governmental conservation work. Chas. J. Spiker, lately with the New York State College of Forestry as a field naturalist, has been appointed a supervisor of game refuges for the Dept, of the Interior in the Division of National Parks and Forests. His office is at Washington, D. C.; and hie. territory includes the Shen- andoah Valley in Virginia, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Mam- moth Cave. Wesley F. Kubichek and Walter W. Bennett have been appointed to th« U. S. Biological Survey. Philip A, DuMont, Wm. Youngworth and Walter Rosene. Jr. are working on special Federal game refuge projects within Iowa in conjunction with the Fish and Game Com- mission. * * * * + Miss Dorothy Jones of Davenport, Iowa, is a new member of our Union. THE OOLOGIST the only publication on the American Continent devoted to who are interested in col- 1 o'- ring, preserving and study- ing birds’ eggs. Fifty cents per ’■car. THE OOLOGIST Lacon Illinois Glass eyes — Taxidermists’, Tanners', Furriers' Supplies Write for free catalogue and mention this ad. Specimens mounted, skins tanned, furs made up and repaired. CHAS A, SCHUMACHER 29 J HalUday Sc, Jersey City, N. j. Lowest prices in U. S. A. 40 IOWA BIRD LIFE A Field Guide to the Birds I i By Roger Tory Peterson j i j We recommend to every member of the Iowa Ornithologists j Union this practical guide to the outdoor identification of all [ j species of North American birds found regularly east of the j j Great Plains region. The book is made on an entirely new j j plan, which recognizes the fact that color-values rather than j the actual colors are most important in identifying birds at j a distance. The plan comprehends the use of diagrammatic j drawings of the birds in conjunction with descriptions of the j marks that can be recognized in the field. The text is entirely j without frills and is devoted strictly to giving information to j help the student to identify birds in the field. Five hundred I i species are treated in the text with 3 30 species illustrated in I j 5 30 plumages, many in color. $2.75 ! i 1 j "With this conic tiic itt guide us a com {nut ton, every bird student, J whether beginner or skilled observer, will find the tusk of identi- fication greatly simplified* It presents a wealth of practical [ information heretofore inaccessible to the average worker , [ — 'Iowa Buu> Life.' ! HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 2 PARK STREET BOSTON, MASS. j