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B

IOWA BIRD LIFE

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE

IICW A 0IRNIITlrl0IL0<DII§T§ , ’ UNION

VOL. VI SEPTEMBER, 1936 NO. 3

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OFFICERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION
President — Myrle L. Jones, Pomeroy, Iowa
| Vice-President — Miss Winifred Gilbert, Cedar Falls, Iowa :

Sec’y-Treas. — Miss Kate E. LaMar, Des Moines, Iowa

Editor — Fred J. Pierce, Winthrop, Iowa
J s

Executive Council:

Mrs. Mary L, Bailey, Sioux City, Iowa
Paul S. J unkin, Fairfield, Iowa

Mrs. Billy Williams, Atlantic, Iowa ,

Ex-officio Council Members (Past Presidents) : 1

Walter M. Rosene Walter W. Bennett !

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

Dr. George O. Hendrickson

£ " j

The Iowa Ornithologists' Union was organized at Ames, Iowa, February 20.

: 1923, for the study and protection of native birds and to promote fraternal

| Jations among Iowa bird students.

: The central design of the Union's official seal is the Eastern Goldfinch, designated

I State Bird of Iowa in 1933.

? Publications of the Union: Mimeographed letters, 1023-1923; ‘The Bulletin,

I 1920-1930 ; ‘Iowa Bird Life,’ beginning 1931.

= SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Iowa, $1.00 a year. Outside of !

I Iowa, 50c a year. Special rate for all libraries, public or college, j
50c a year. Single copies 15c each, (Keep the Editor informed [
j of your correct address.)

EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION OFFICE
] WINTHROP, IOWA

4 - — — 4

Entered as second-class matter February 9, 1932. at the post office at Winthrop. Iowa,
under the Act of March 3, 1879.

34

IOWA BIRD LIFE— VI, 1936

WHAT PROMOTES BIRD STUDY!*

By ARTHUR J. PAL AS

Postvilte, Iowa

It occurs to all of us that there are two excellent avenues open
which we should use more and more if we want to increase the study
of any form of wild life. These two ways are by teaching in our
schools and by publicity in our publications, newspapers, magazines
and books.

During the past fifteen years there has been a greatly increasing
interest by educatois in the study of the natural sciences. Demands
and necessity for conservation have brought some legislation that is
good. Discussions have aroused a greater interest by the public, which
is reflected by the courses offered by our educational institutions, from
grade schools up. But we must not sit still and think that things are
going well just because we have had some good legislation and be-
cause nature subjects receive more attention in our schools. These
facts alone are not proof that things are better. Our greater means
of communication and education have brought many more people into
contact with all phases of wild life. It is quite likely that, even duu-
ing the time that education and legislation have made steps forward
in the teaching of the natural sciences and in conservation, the forces
of destruction have gone forward at even a greater rate. Seemingly
we have gone forward, but actually we have gone backward, if we
have not kept pace with the forces of destruction. Let us not be
misled to think that we have made sufficient progress and all we need
to do is to retain our present program. That is not likely to be suf-
ficient. , _ J _. ,

The same reasons that demand a greater prominence of the natural
sciences in the curriculums of our educational institutions also demand
a more important place for these subjects in our publications. Readers
of 'Iowa Bird Life' are found in most, if not all. of the 1)9 counties
of the State and some one or more of these readers comes into con-
tact with every newspaper of ’he State. We could do more than wc
are now doing to get proper publicity and articles of educational and
informational value before the reading public. Many of our members
could write articles of educational and literary merit. Publishers are
glad to get facts regarding nature subjects and are thankful for
worth-while contributions. Such articles should not be a series of
teaching and preaching. The main theme in them should be to give
interesting informal ion regarding wild life. Unless we first get the
readers' interest in our subject, our teaching and preaching may cause
the indifferent among thcim to become more callous. Lessons of
conservation, as a rule, should be woven in without standing out as
the features of the articles. Only after we have gained sympathetic
readers by items of human interest should we attempt to ‘‘bear down
by making direct statements as to what may and what may not be done.

There is another very important agency or medium for fostering
or promoting bird study, and that is by means of study clubs. About
this I wish to write more fully.

We have in Iowa about 205 cities of over 1,000 population each.
Ten of these cities have over 25.000. All of these ten cities have had
bird clubs at some time and half of them have active clubs at this
time. Ten active clubs should he where there are five at this time.
Each of these cities has enough bird students who would like to be
members of such a club, and each has several bird students who are
qualified to organize and direct it. If organized, clubs could be suc-
cessful in all of them.

‘This whs i he thfmc of ;i talk hy Mr. Pains ;it the Fourteenth Annual Mating uf the
Iowa Ornithologists' Union. 1’nirtidJ, luwa. May 3. — Ed-

WHAT PROMOTES BIRD STUDY?

35

It strikes me as odd that there should not be a single active club
at this time within the ten cities that have a population each of from

10.000 to 25,000. If one of these dues has a bird club at this time,
I have not been informed. I cannot account for it, I am convinced
that each of these cities also has enough interested persons to as-
sure an efficient club and that each has several efficient leaders among
such interested persons. How can the citizens of such splendid cities
as Fort Dodge and Mason City, naming two of the larger in the group,
perform their civic obligations without active bird clubs? Presumably,
the bird students of Ames and Iowa City think that the numerous
activities centering around the large educational institutions would
interfere with the success of bird clubs there. Such should not be
the case. I think that clubs, if organized in these two locations, would
be especially efficient because of the facilities of doing unusual work.
It is my opinion that at least eight clubs should be functioning in this
second group of ten cities.

It is of interest that in the 15 cities of from

5.000 to 10,000 we have usually had, and we
now have, several clubs that have done and
are doing efficient work and have a beneficial
influence in their localities. Possibly we can
find some reasons why this should be. These
cities are not so large that other activities
crowd out the nature study clubs. On the
other hand, the cities seem to be large enough
to supply good leaders and seem to have suf-
ficient numbers of persons interested to make
for efficient clubs. Again, these cities seem to
be small enough so that people of like interests
get acquainted and join in like activities. If
such are the reasons why bird study clubs
thrive in this group of cities, then surely they
should be a success in the larger cities. In
the larger cities the activity of a few leaders

will bring the interested people together. They union. He is a lawyer at

will respond if they are asked. In this group Pohtvilie and u too well

of 15 cities we should have at least ten clubs £***“ introduction

instead of four.

There have also been some active clubs in the 35 cities ranging from

3.000 to 5,000. We should not expect less than 14 active dubs in this

group, which includes such splendid college cities as Decorah, Grinnell,
Indianola, Le Mars, Mt. Pleasant, Pella and Storm Lake. It seems

that these places should be fertile fields for bird study activities.

Of the 35 cities ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 very few have had
bird clubs in the past and I believe that none have any at this time.
Certainly eight of this group have enough interested persons to con-
duct efficient study clubs.

We have not less than 100 cities ranging in population from 1,000
to 2,000, It would be impossible to organize clubs in some of these
cities. All of these cities probably have persons who are interested,
but few of them have biid students who are willing to devote them-
selves to the organization work. There could well be ten active clubs
in this group. If a city has cne or more persons in it who are willing
to think birds and conservation 305 days in the year then a club
should be possible. There should then be enough other people inter-
ested to conduct the club activities.

What can we do to get 60 active clubs into these 205 cities of Iowa?
It may be that when we come to cities of less than 5,000 population,
and even in some of the larger places, a more successful club would
be one devoted to nature study generally, including the study of
flowers, trees, mammals, etc., as well as birds. Such clubs would

MR, PALAS,

36

IOWA BIRD LIFE— VI, 1936

have larger memberships and it would be easier to arrange for pro-
grams and study topics.

, To organize a club you will need an ambition to do something for
the community. But it will not ho all unselfish. You will also be
doing yourself a good service. The fact that such clubs are often
short-lived should not discourage us for the dub has done good while
it has been active.

If you have two or three friends in your city who are interested,
talk the matter over with them. Wrrte for information or suggestions
on how to organize. Invite all interested persons to a meeting at
which you should have a rousing talk on the needs for such a dub.
Get an outside speaker if necessary, but it is still better if you can
call on a speaker from your own group. The work consists of eight
or nine programs a year. For one or two of these programs you
may want an outside speaker, but do not overload with outside talent.
Your success will depend much on local talent and local work. You
should arrange for field trips to make it practical. After you are in
the work there will open up to you opportunity for civic endeavors,
but such work should primarily be devoted to objects of conservation.

Why do I stress the importance of local clubs? The work of a
large number of local clubs would greatly contribute to the cause of
conservation in this State. Such clubs make a community bird-con-
scious, nature-conscious, conservation-conscious. They provide a forum
where nature study problems may be worked out, a center where nature
knowledge may be disseminated, an agency where nature information
may be obtained. Such clubs promote a community interest in educa-
tional endeavors; they encourage ambitions for worth-while accomplish-
ments; they focus attention unon activities that are uplifting; they
make for the ideal in citizenship.

LOCAL BIRD CLUBS IX IOWA

Mr. Palas has given very good suggestions for organizing the local
bird club. We are presenting here brief accounts of the various bird
clubs in Iowa. Affiliation of local bird clubs with the Iowa Ornitholo-
gists’ Union has long been our hope, but as yet a workable plan has
not been formulated. Such affiliation would prove of mutual benefit
and in bringing it about we should have a genuine achievement. Other
state organizations have their local “chapters.” There is need for
such in Iowa!

The Atlantic Bird Club. — This Club was organized in 1024 by the
late Thomas H. Whitney, a %vell-known banker. Mr. Whitney induced
many of his friends and their families to join the club. Many were
interested in birds; others joined because Mr. Whitney as one of our
leading citizens wanted them to join. After his passing the organiza-
tion dwindled to a small group of eight or ten persons who were
seriously interested in birds. The writer was elected president and
served for a few years; Mrs. Billv Williams now holds the office. W T e
were able to interest a number of our school teachers, who are among
our enthusiastic members. Two ministers are also members. We
have felt that the way to reach the children is thiough their instruc-
tors, We now have a number of bird clubs scattered through the
schools. We supplied the material for a martin house to be built by
the recreation group. The house is to be erected in one of our parks.
We now have 32 members, all workers who are thoroughly interested.
We have been holding a May bird hike and breakfast for the last few
vears, going out early in the morning and returning to my home for
breakfast and later comparison of the bird lists obtained. There are
few homes without bird baths and feeding stations for the winter
birds. And much interest, has been aroused among those who do not
have time to join us.— MRS. ARTHUR LEE, Atlantic, Iowa.

LOCAL BIRD CLUBS IN IOWA

A Junior Club at Cedar Falls. — In March of this year I organized
a Junior Audubon Club. That we might derive the greatest benefit
from field trips, I selected a small group of ten girls and boys, most
of whom live in the neighborhood. In their enthusiasm they brought
their little friends to the meetings. They were eager to join, and
now we have 20 members. We go on field trips when the weather
permits, each child keeping a list of birds seen and heard. Some-
times I have the boys meet one day and the girls on another day,
w;hich takes more of the leader’s time but it is well worth while.
Sometimes we meet at my home, and while coloring bird pictures we
discuss the residence, migration, food and habits of our subjects. The
interest and enthusiasm of young bird lovers will be an inspiration
and delight to any leader. — MRS. RAY S, DIX, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The Cedar Rapids Bird Club. — We were unable to secure a sketch
of this club. It was organized about 1931 or earlier, at the time
Professor Kubichek was teaching at Coe College and was very active
in Iowa bird matters. Since that time it has held interesting meetings
and has served a useful purpose in and about Cedar Rapids. In 1931
the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union held its annual meeting in the city,
as guest of the Cedar Rapids Bird Club. Those of us in attendance
recall the fine entertainment and hospitality given us by members of
the club. Prominent among the members have been W. F. Kubichek,
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Petranek, Miss Lillian Serbousek, Miss Myra Willis,
Miss Lavina Dragoo, Miss Copp, Mi’s. C. C. Flodin, and others. — F. J. P.

The Dea Moines Audubon Society. — Our Society was organized in
1923. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Palas with the cooperation of Mrs. Henry
Frankel were foremost among the organizers. Our 1935 membership
list shows a total of 103 members with 17 of the charter members still
on our roll. Many of the early members dropped out during the first
few years. Our meetings and field trips have been held regularly dur-
ing all these years, and have been fairly well attended. Last fall we
had 50 or more at every meeting and 10 or 12 on the field trips. Be-
sides the Brenton's Slough project (described in 'Iowa Bird Life’, V,
pp. 34-35), we have worked along other lines. We have contributed
to a bird book section in the Central Public Library. Mrs. A. B.
Funk, who died in July, 1934, owned a great many volumes on birds,
which were donated to us by her husband and which we placed in the
Library, with a suitable name-plate in each book. Some prominent
speakers have appeared before us: William Finley, Walter Bennett,
Dr. Arthur A. Allen and others. We have participated in the Christmas
bird census every year, and have furnished a good membership to the
Iowa Ornithologists’ Union. This has been a very fine year, with a
lively interest manifested by all.— MRS. TONI R. WENDELBURG,
Des Moines, Iowa.

The Dubuque Bird Club. — On March 11, 1929, the Dubuque Bird
Club was organized at the home of Mrs. R. W. Johnson, with 14 charter
members. Since that time meetings have been held once a month,
except during the summer, in the Bird Room of the public library.
The membership at the present time numbers 20. One annual field
trip is made by the club as a whole on a Sunday during warbler week,
with many excursions by individual groups of members. Interest in
the club has greatly increased even though the membership remains
small. Several of the members made a trip last summer to the colony
of Black-crowned Night Herons on the Ellis Wilson farm near Water-
loo. At different times members have visited the Independence mill-
pond described by Mr. Pierce in ‘Bird-Lore’ in 1929, In October of
last year the club held its meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred
J. Pierce at Winthrop, enjoying his books and bird records and the
inspiration of his acquaintance.

The marshes and sloughs about Dubuque offer splendid oppoi'tuni-
ties for the study of shore birds, and club members are just beginning

38

IOWA BIRD LIFE — VI, 1936

to set acquainted with what they contain. Last spring for the first
time we saw here the Yellow-headed Blackbird and the Florida Gal l i—
nule, as well as the King Rail. Wilson Phalarope, Bittern, a family
cf Coots, and many others. The Pileated Woodpecker has been seen
in the woods near here and the Loon on the river.

Perhaps some time we shall grow enough to be able to entertain
the Iowa Ornithologists 7 Union and benefit by its knowledge and ex-
perience in knowing our birds.— MRS. R. W. JOHNSON, Dubuque,
Iowa.

The Fairfield Bird Club. — The Fairfield Bird Club was organized
March 2, 1933. It is, in a measure, a descendant of an older, loosely-
formed “Nature Study 7 ’ club, which, while quite informal in organiza-
tion, had high ambitions and aspired to attain some knowledge not
only of ornithology but also of botany, entomology, physiography,
geology and astronomy.

The Club's membership consists of persons of all ages and walks
in life and is open to all persons interested. The annual dues are
twenty-five cents. Some effort is made to instill in boys and girls
of school age a love of the study of birds and of nature. The Club's
officers consist of a president, a vice-president and a secretary-treasurer.
There are two annually appointed standing committees, a program com-
mittee and a “Bird Hike and Browse’ 7 committee. Monthly meetings
are held, usually or. the last Tuesday of each month.

The Fairfield Bird Club and the Fairfield Garden Club have a num-
ber of members in common and once each year a joint meeting is
held. In 1935 and 1936 this joint meeting was held in Lacey-lveo-
sauqua park, last year on August 28 and this year on August 5.

Field trips are frequent during the months of the spring bird migra-
tion, but during the remainder uf the year are somewhat sporadic.
The Fairfield Bird Club has twice been host to the Iowa Ornithologists’
Union, first in the year 1933 on May 5 and 6, and a second time this
year on May 8 and 9. The number of different species of birds ob-
served in the composite list from the forenoon field trips on May 6,
1933, was 120, and on May 9, 1930, the number was 136. Fairfield
is located in good bird territory. — J. WILBUR DOLE, Fairfield, Iowa.

The Sioux City Bird Club. — The history of this Club could not be
written without some mention of the two organizations that preceded
it. In the fall of 1910, a group of 15 or more interested persons
banded together under the leadership of Dr. Guy C. Rich for the pur-
pose of studying the birds of this vicinity. This dub was known as
the Ornithological Section of the Academy of Science and Letters,
the Academy having been organized several years previously. The
club ceased to function the following summer, but Rev. Manley B.
Townsend, then pastor of the Unitarian Church in Sioux City, organized
a new dub in the fail of 1911. It was known as the Nature Study
Club, and semi-monthly meetings devoted to many different natural
history subjects were held during 1911 and 1912.

It was in the summer of 1913 that Miss Adah Hood, W, J. Hayward
and Dr. T. C. Stephens, the latter an active member of the first club,
made plans for the present organization. The Sioux City Bird Club
was started in the fall of 1913. Professor B, H. Bailey of Coe College
gave an illustrated bird lecture at the first meeting, on Saturday,
October 25, 1913, E. A. Fields was elected the first president, and
Miss Adah Hood, secretary. There were 23 charter members. The
meetings were held semi-monthly or monthly from September to May,
inclusive, and these have continued through the years with some lapses
and variations. During 1932 meetings were discontinued due to effects
of the depression; they were resumed the following year, and the
club is now functioning as formerly. The programs have always been
varied and interesting. There have been papers and talks on bird
observations in the field at all seasons of the year. The many phases

THE FAIRFIELD BANDING STATION

39

of bird study and protection have been thoroughly covered in the
programs presented at the meetings. The programs illustrated by
slides or moving pictures have been the most instructive of all. Be-
sides the talks given at the regular meetings, we have had lecturers
of prominence entertain us, among them Ernest Harold Baynes and
William Finley. Bird houses made by manual training classes, birds'
nests, bird skins and mounted birds have been exhibited for our in-
struction at the meetings.

Our outside activities have included some extensive and interesting
exhibits on birds for the public. These were held at the Library and
attracted several hundred people among whom were many school
children. The exhibits showed bird houses, sparrow- traps, mounted
birds, nests, feeding devices and foods, field glasses, bird photography
and bird books. In 1916 a junior bird club with more than 100 mem-
bers was organized. In an educational campaign senior club members
spoke to 3,500 children in the public schools. Arbor Day has been
used to bring the subject of birds to the school children. The public
press has been used very extensively by our members to further bird
study in various ways. Field trips through the entire year have al-
ways been a feature of our activities.

As we look back over the work the club lias tried to do. we find
that many of those who were with us in the early days have gone to
other territory, but we feel that there is a place for a Bird Club in
our city, and we hope there will always be those who will carry on
the good work. — MRS. MARY L. BAILEY, Sioux City, Iowa.

THE "FAIRFIELD BANDING STATION'*

By MALCOLM MCDONALD

Although a number of operators have had charge of the Fairfield,
Iowa, station, headquarters have always been located at Parsons Col-
lege. In January, 1931, Professor Carl Welty opened the station on
the Parsons College campus, but the misdirected interest of the stu-
dents soon necessitated a change, and a small, wooded tract known
as “Old Settlers Park”, just northeast of the city limits, was chosen.
Here, during the greater part of each winter and spring since that
time, the traps have been set out and operated. Summer months have
seen other and more convenient locations utilized. Sub-stations on
two chimneys in town have been operated for two years (.luring the
Chimney Swift migration.

Malcolm McDonald took over the operation of the station from
Professor Welty in September, 1934, and operated it until January,
1936. From September, 1935, until Mr. McDonald closed his con-
nections with the station, the traps were operated by Wesley Bartlett,
Since January, Mr. Bartlett has been operating the traps under his
own license.

From the chimney-top sub-station 2231 Chimney Swifts have been
banded. The Slate-colored Junco is second in line, with 685 individuals
banded, and the White-throated Sparrow is third with 425. Alto-
gether during the five years of operation, 4323 individuals of 60
species have been banded. A few of the most interesting species are:
American Coot. Lincoln’s Sparrow, Wood Thrush, Grasshopper Spar-
row. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Migrant Shrike. Red-tailed Hawk, Double-
crested Cormorant, Myrtle Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Philadelphia
Vireo, Winter Wren, Cedar Waxwing, and Ovenbird.

Baits used are commercial chickfeeds, cracked corn, and suet. At
present, a drop trap with a drinking pan for bait is operating very

‘Read at the Fourteenth Annual Meeting of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Fairfield,
Iowa. May by Wesley K. Bartlett. Manuscript revised by Wesley H. Bartlett

and Charles Gilly.

40

IOWA BIRD LIFE— VI, 1936

satisfactorily. The type of trap is known as the “Government Sparrow
Trap” has proved the most satisfactory of all traps tried. A false-
bottom and a funnel-entrance tray types have also given good results.

The drudgery of a banding station has its rewards in the unexpected
thrills which break the monotony of the catches. Usually the thrill
consists of a return from a previous year, but if it is an extra-special
thrill, one may have a “Foreign” return, as the birds banded at some
other banding station are called. Then, too, there is the thrill of
receiving a postcard announcing that one of “your” birds has been
trapped or killed elsewhere.

Repeats, or birds which have been previously captured and banded
at the station within the last six months, arc very numerous. Some
birds seem to develop what has been called the “trap habit”, and
repeat often. Individuals have been captured, released, and recap-
tured in another trap farther down the trap line within fifteen minutes
after the first capture. Then there are the migrating birds which re-
main about the station for a lengthy vis : L. One Song Sparrow re-
peated 47 times in 49 consecutive days.

Returns are often very interesting. One Cardinal returned at least
once a year during five consecutive years. A Junco which was banded
in 1931 wearing normal plumage, was recaptured in 1932 and was at
this time mottled with large spots of white. In 1934 it was again
recaptured, still mottled, but in 1935 the plumage of the bird was
again normal. It was also noticed that this bird was much larger than
the average junco.

Foreign returns here have been almost entirely limited to Chimney
Swifts. We have captured eight Chimney Swifts that have been banded
elsewhere^seven of them by Musselman of Quincy, Illinois. A num-
ber of Swifts which we banded have been recaptured elsewhere —
two in Minnesota, one in Tennessee, and one in Louisiana. A junco
was captured at Martin, North Dakota, two weeks after it was banded
here. Two Red-tailed Hawks were banded as fledglings from a nest
in a tall tree on Decoration Day, 1934. Exactly six months later one
of them was shot at Cuero, Texas.

One phase of the zoological work carried on at Parsons College has
thrown a little light on the fate of some of the banded birds. For
about two years Mr. McDonald collected owl pellets in the vicinity of
the station and elsewhere, for the purpose of studying the food habits
of owls in this region. From a group of Barred Owl pellets the band
of a junco was recovered. The following year pellets yielded the
bands of three Blue Jays and five Bob-whites. Mr, McDonald had a
ringside seat at one of the Bob-white disappearances. He banded the
bird, at just about dusk, and had released it. Suddenly the whir of
wings ceased, the bird gave a little sharp cry of pain, and no more
was heard. Going over the territory on the following morning, a few
Bob-white feathers were discovered near the place where the victim
had disappeared. After the snow melted and pellet-collecting opera-
tions were resumed, the band was recovered.

From the above paragraph it would appear that an owl in the
vicinity of a banding station is a menace to the birds, but this is not
actually the case. The Bob-whites were taken during a blizzardy week
when there was a particularly heavy concentration of Bob- whites in
the park; 59 individuals were banded within a week in the few acres
of woodland where they had taken refuge from the surrounding fields.
A study of the food habits of the owls in the vicinity has shown that
they are considerably more beneficial than harmful. As an example,
permit me to cite the case of one Long-eared Owl which resided in
the cemetery near the banding station from December, 1933, to March,
1934. During that time all pellets from this owl were collected and
the contained bones identified. The results, when totaled, showed that
during the approximately three-month-long period, this owl had eaten

i

GENERAL NOTES

41

355 destructive field mice and shrews, and had taken, in the same
period, only three birds, and one of these was an English Sparrow.

Other high spots of the years of banding are; the Coot that mistook
the Library lawn for a body of water, was captured, banded, deloused,
measured and weighed before being- released ; the cormorant which dew
into an automobile's headlights and after having been banded was re-
leased to be shot at Dallas Citv, Illinois, a month later; a seemingly
healthy and thriving Downy Woodpecker with only one leg; another
Downy which laid an egg in the woodpecker trap; a Golden-crowned
Kinglet so tangled in beggaris-liee that it was picked un, unable to
fly; a Brown Thrasher captured and banded three weeks after the
“last" migrating thrasher had been seen; and the House Wren that
was rescued from a cat and found to be a return from the previous
year.

BANDING ACTIVITIES, WINTER OF 1035-1036

The banding season of 1035-1036 has brought many things of inter-
est to light in bird-banding at our local station.

In my study of owl pellets in the region of the banding station, I
have thus far found only one bird band since September, 1035. This
band had been placed on a Bob-white. However, the owl did not stay
in the locality of the traps during the entire winter.

The past winter was so extremely cold that banding brought very
few records during January and February. After the cold seemed to
have left. I secured all data that l could on birds that died during the
winter in the vicinity of the handing station. I found four Blue Jays,
all of which seemed to have frozen, and not starved. The loss of
birds by being killed in the traps was high. Practically all found dead
in the traps had been killed by some animal of prey — probably a cat
or a weasel.

During the past year I have added three new species to the list of
those previously banded. They are; Winter Wren. Philadelphia Vireo.
and Cedar Waxwing. I have banded a total of 34 species since last
fall, of which the White-throated Sparrow leads in number with 224
individuals being banded. The Slate-colored Junco falls second in
line with a total of 150. A total of 570 individuals have been banded
during the period from September to May, Ten individuals have re-
turned from previous banding seasons. A total of 10 met death in the
traps, most of which were killed by animals seeking food during the
extreme winter. At present there are 14 traps of 6 types in operation
at the station.— WESLEY H. BARTLETT.

GENERAL NOTES

The Stirling in the 99th Iowa County. — I had been watching for
Starlings on each drive through Osceola County, but I had not seen
any up to the time Mr. Youngworth re muted having driven about the
countv looking for them (Iowa Bird Life, VI, p, 7), Early in April,
Mrs. Thomas and I drove about Osceola County without results. On
April 22. 11)36. while driving on highway 59 in Osceola County, slightly
less than a mile north of the O’Brien Count v line. I saw two Starlings
fly across the road in front of the car. While this mav not be the
first occurrence of the birds in the county, it is the earliest reported
record for Osceola and finishes the county list of Starling occurrences
in Iowa.— 0. S. THOMAS, Rock Rapids, Iowa.

The Arkansas Kingbird in Southern Iowa,— The first Arkansas King-
bird observed by the author in the spring of 1936 was seen near Wood-
land, in Decatur Countv, on April 5. These birds were often seen
during the remainder of April. On Mav 12. while in company with
W. E. Green, a single Arkansas Kingbird was observed. On May 24,

42

IOWA BIRD LIFE— VI, 1936

while driving with John Estes near Lineville, Iowa, two Arkansas King-
birds were seen, and on May 25 one bird was observed for several
minutes at a distance of 30 feet. This bird was carefully identified.
Although no positive evidence of nesting was found, the presence of
the birds this late in the season seems to indicate that there may be
a few Arkansas Kingbirds that nest in southern Iowa. — WATSON E.
BEED, Dept, of Zoology and Entomology, Iowa State College.

Wilson Phalaropes Nesting in Iowa, — On June 23, 1936, Dr. George
0, Hendrickson and Dr. H. H. Knight of the Zoology and Entomology
Department of Iowa Slate College and the author made a visit to
Dewey's Pasture and Barringer's Slough in Clay County, In the course
of making duck observations in Dewey’s Pasture two pairs of Wilson
Phalaropes were seen. The actions of these birds assured us that they
were nesting near by. This tract of 392 acres was purchased by the
Conservation Commission in 1934 for waterfowl restoration purposes.
It is indeed encouraging to know that in restoring areas for ducks
suitable habitats are also restored for such birds as the Wilson Phala-
rope. Three miles south of Dewey's Pasture is a tract of 1570 acres
known as Barringer's Slough. Two male and three female Wilson
Phalaropes were observed there. The actions of these birds also be-
trayed their nesting activities, — LOGAN J. BENNETT, U. S. Bio-
logical Survey, Amos, Iowa.

A Battle of the ‘Speed Demons' of the Air. On the forenoon of

July 11, with temperature soaring around the 100-degree mark, I
heard a rather unusual disturbance over our house. Glancing up I
saw a flock of at least a dozen Chimney Swifts that were attacking
a Sharp-shinned Hawk. The unusual thing about it was that the swifts,
otherwise known as rather defenseless and harmless birds, were on the
offensive and one after another would swoop down at the hawk. As
the swift was about to strike, the hawk would swerve in the air in
defense in the usual hawk fashion, and there would be a harsh cry
which I presumed came from the hawk. These evolutions and gyra-
tions high in the air were certainly a demonstration of speed to the
highest degree, for where do we find speedsters that exceed these two
birds in the air? The hawk seemed intent only on eluding the swifts,
and it was the finest demonstration of speed I have ever witnessed.
The last 1 saw of them was when they disappeared to the north, with
the swifts all in mad pursuit of the hawk.— W. M. ROSENE, Ogden,

Spring Birds in Eastern Iowa. — The territory near Cedar Rapids
affords opportunity for a wide study of birds, as one is able to find
through the seasons most of the birds listed for this part of Iowa.
Occasionally unusual species are to be seen. One of my best records
for the past two years was a Sycamore Warbler seen near Cedar Rapids
on May 16. 1935. On May 25, 1935, I observed three Ruddy Turn-
stones on Swan Lake in Johnson County, They were busily feeding
and were not disturbed by our rather close approach as were the Kill-
deers which were near them. The next day several Semipalmated
Plovers joined them. I saw a Red-backed SandniDer at Clear Lake
on June 7, 1935. This past soring (1936), on a visit to the Conesville
Marshes near Conesville on March 28. I saw five Black Ducks among
hundreds of the more common snecies of ducks. On Swan Lake.
April 11, 193b, I observed two Western Grebes also with a varied
group of ducks. When I visited the lake next morning they were
gone. On Mav 24, 1936. I flushed a Black-bellied Plover from the
edge of Swan Lake.— (MISS) LILLIAN SERBOUSEK, Cedar Rapids.

RECENT BIRD BOOKS

43

RECENT BIRD BOOKS

UPLAND GAME BIRDS IN IOWA, by Thomas G, Scott and George
0. Hendrickson (Extension Circular 228, Iowa State College, Ames,
June, 1936; pp. 1-32, illustrated; available free).

In this publication we are given an excellent outline of the various
upland game birds in Iowa. There is a general description of the re-
quirements to be met in providing suitable habitat for game birds,
with especial stress placed upon the feeding of the birds in winter.
The discussion of game bird management is not lengthy, but the
reader will find that much useful information has been condensed into
a convenient form. The Ring-necked Pheasant, European Partridge,
Bob- white, Wild Turkey and Rutfed Grouse are described individually,
with little incidents of their habits and mannerisms making the chap-
ters educational as well as entertaining reading. The Prairie Sharp-
tailed Grouse and the Prairie Chicken are mentioned as possibilities
in the list of Iowa game birds. An attractive crayon sketch by the
new Iowa artist. Sid Horn, accompanies the account of each bird.
This bulletin will be given a wide distribution and will aid very ma-
terially the State’s program of replenishing the supply of game birds
—a program that should have the hearty approval of the public, —
F. J. P.

*****

THE NORTHERN ROB- WHITE'S WINTER TERRITORY, by Paul
L. Errington and F. N. Hamerstrom, Jr, (Research Bulletin 201, Iowa
State College, Ames, June, 1936; pp, 301-443, illustrated; available
free) .

The bulletin reviewed above is written in a popular, non-technical
style, for the instruction of the general public. The present bulletin,
quite as important, has an entirely different make-up and is intended
for professional game managers and those persons having a serious
interest in game management. During the Iowa Wildlife Research
Program, established bv Iowa State College and the Iowa Fish and
Game Commission, 1932 to 1935, much important data were collected,
especially by the senior author of this bulletin, Dr, Errington’s work
on the Bob-white in Iowa is well known, and he is noted for being an
accurate, painstaking, and thoroughly-trained scientist. His thorough-
ness is shown by the great amount of detailed information given in
this publication. The material is arranged in four divisions: (Part I)
Introductory remarks and technique; (Part II) Survival data; (Part
HI) Analysis of carrying capacity; (Part IV) Management of the
Bob-white's winter territory- Within these sections is given the entire
Bob-white management procedure — from the methods of counting the
birds, down through the studies of wintering birds, showing how their
numbers are reduced through natural and other causes and just what
the carrving capacity for a given area will be. with a description of
food and cover necessities. The section on management shows what
can be accomplished by applying the latest scientific methods, with
especial reference to the correlation of soil erosion control, farming
practices and game management. The broad subject of Bob-white
management is well covered in this publication, and the methods
evolved through studies made under the Iowa Research Program will
be of service to workers in many regions.- — F. J. P.

THE NEW IOWA CHECK-LIST

Mr. Rosene has revised the Union’s “Field Checking List" to con-
form with the present A. O, U. Check-list, and the Union has had
5000 copies printed. It is on a 3 by 5-inch card, convenient for filing,
and has the same useful features of the old list, which has been out
of print for some time. It is available at the following prices: 500,
$2,15: 100, 50c; 5(1 or less, 1 2 c each; all orders sent postpaid. Orders
should be sent to Miss Kate LaMar, 1231 Thirty-ninth St,, Dos Moines,
Iowa.

44

IOWA BIRD LIFE— VI, 1936

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

New members are: Watson E. Beed, Ames; Miss Ila M, Glotfelty,
Fairfield- Mrs. Ernest W. Hanson, Burlington; Ethan A. Hemsley,
Dubuque; Miss Roberta B. Louden, Fairfield. New subscribers are:
Don L. Walters, Independence, Mo.; Jack W. Sherwood, Salinas, Galil.;
Mrs. H. J. Taylor, Berkeley, Calif.; Public Library, Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Miss Kate LaMar, who is President of the Des Moines Audubon
Society as well as our Secretary-Treasurer, spent several weeks of the
summer at the newly-established Audubon Nature Camp at the I odd
Wild Life Sanctuary/ Muscongus Bay, Maine, as a special delegate from
Des Moines. This unique nature session has been well described in
recent issues of ‘Bird-Lore’. Her stay was delightful and she reports
a very educational trip. The diversified bird and plant life of Maine,
both much different from ours, furnished a great deal of pleasure,
while contact with the instructors, many of whom are eminent scient-
ists, was a genuine inspiration. The itinerary of Miss LaMar s trip
included a visit to American Museum of Natural History in New York
City. Harvard Museum in Cambridge, Field Museum in Chicago, and
points of interest in and near Boston, Montreal, Toronto and Detroit.
We shall expect to hear about her experiences when we meet at Cedar
Falls next May.

During June, Wm, Youngworth visited the Waubav Lake country of
northeastern South Dakota, then called on Mr. and Mrs. Philip DuMont
at the Sand Lake Refuge near Aberdeen. After that he spent a week
with Walter Bennett in western Nebraska, near the Colorado line,
where the men enjoyed work with nesting birds of the region.

Mr Rosene had charge of the ornithology classes at the Wild Life
School, McGregor, during August. He reports that early bird hikes
were taken every morning, and as many as 30 and 40 bird enthusiasts
were present. They had a total bird list of 85 species, including the
American Egret and Ruffed Grouse.

A doctorate in zoology was awarded to Miss Winifred Gilbert by
the University of Iowa in the past summer. Congratulations to our
Vice-President !

John Bliese, who recently received a Master’s degree from Columbia
University in New York City, is the new science teacher in the Cedar
Falls high school. He is a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College
and a member of our Union.

Walter Rosene, Jr., was given a scholarship by the Alabama Poly-
technic Institute of Auburn, Alabama, and earlv in the summer he
began work there. He is continuing his study of the Mourning Dove,
which was the basis of his recent work at Iowa State College.

insect to Elephant

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