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PIERCE 0 EERE EEE ED ED 0D ESE ED 0D EE 0-0 EOE 0-2 0S 0-1. @ Division 0° Birds alae Wye AD ee AY , ' i} ye eS Nahant’ i / " , Wh . | . hal by f 4 Bit WL 4 } Ad ee Na ' r Ms a Pay) wet . . METAR OAL a PAT add eee wy ' le ey i 7 rl . i i” t. hay \ c i ’ , Pun THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST, . FOR THE STUDENT OF BIRDS. “And now, wouldst thou, O man, delight the ear With earth’s delicious sounds, or charm the eye With beautiful creations? ‘Then pass forth, And find them midst those many colored birds That fill the glowing woods”. Volume I. SALEM, IOWA. DAVID L. SAVAGE, PuBLtisHERr. 1895 A I2RDEX TO VOLUME |, & Address, The Opening, Page 22 American Ornithologists’ Union, 45 A Favorite Place, 7 On _A Peculiar Nesting Site, 51 Bird Migration, 90 Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley 18 Bluebirds, 85 Blue-winged Teal, The 75 Constitution of the I. O. A. 70 General Notes of Interest, 25, (525 ae In Church, (Poetry) Se Iowa Ornithological Association, 23,50, 3% My Life History, 93 Nesting of the Brown Creeper, 29 Notes and News, 89 Notes on the Birds of lowa, Family Fringilladae 1 ‘« Mniotiltidae 10 ‘© Tyrannidae 29 ‘ Alaudidae 32 ‘¢ — Icteridae 34 ‘t -“iGorvidae 55 ‘““ Tanagridae 63 ‘+ - Hirunidinidae’- 64, 79% Ampelidae 82 Our Boyhood Days, 76 Our Association 53 Pied-billed Grebe, 44 Pine-creeping Warbler, The 47 Program of the First Annual Congress of I. O. A. 92 Woodcock, The American 28 * Warbler, The Hooded 28, 67 Work, Our Special 21 G. L. Tomlinson, Printer, Salem. lowa. CONTENTS. —Petoen sa Page Notes on the birds of Iowa (Tingilladae, Mniotiltidae)........-.+00072. 1 General Notes of Interest—The Tufted Titmouse in Iowa; Change of Habits in our Native Birds; A Set of five of the Prairie Horned Lark; .The Pileated Woodpecker in Southern Iowa; The Cedar Waxwing in Northern Iowa; The Saw-whet Owl in Captivity....... 25 Pe Opening AGAECSS) 2... . «ss sinister ctniels/eicniee)p'o viel o/elple. els iain tele Beir a7 The Iowa Ornithological Association ...........0scceceeceeceeecees 23 Mestuaaiot the Brown Creeper... ciecs cca cess ce sree cca soncase sens 21 SREMBEIA NVOLIC goo oie. sind «cs Srebeeiels cjeie slsie v.00 vo ow slelstc.ecel ele siete, 24 -To Iowa Bird-Lovers ............ | CSE EERO S SOE SSAC 26 HOE: OO Ot OE Fi a) Ui Maas ait 2 ahs eraiee ig er a ia i | | epee falibale 4 ide THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. DEVOTED TO ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY, Vou. I OCTOBER, 1894. Nowe NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF IOWA. The following are the observations of the active members of the I. O. A, on the family Fringillide (Finches, Sparrows, etc.,) and Muiotillide. (Warbler); a few notes have been added to them, especially those of Carl Kelsey’s, taken from his list of “Birds of Poweshiek County, Iowa,” which was published in the September 1891, “Ornithologist and Oologist.” In the compiling of these notes I have adopted the arrangement of the American Ornithological Union, and s0 give the number of species as it occurs in the Union list; I have also appended, in paranthesis, the number of the species as given in Cone’s Key and Check List. This is for the con- venience of those who have this valuable manual. Orpver PASSERHS. (Perching Birds.) Birds with weak feet, usually slight bills, mostly singers. Susorper OSCINES. (Song Birds..) Fammy FRINGILLADAR. (Finches, Sparrows, etc ) Feed on seeds and insects; our na- tive species are beneficial; many Anderson); species are sylvan, while others fre— quent the clearer fields. 5 14—(189.)Coccotheranstes vespertina. (Coop.) EVENING GROSBEAK. Winter; rarely seen; “very rare in Van Buren County,a few found in winter feeding on hackberries,” (Wm. Savage); “I have not seen any since January, 1891, in Jackson County,” (H. J. Giddings.) 517-194. Carpodacus (Gmel.) PURPLE FINCH. perpureus. Rather common in migration; throughout the state; flocks; “have met this species in Winnebago county afew times in spring, May 6, 1893, saw a very large flock; once in fall, November 11, 1893,” (Rudolph M. “have met them every spring in Jackson county; occasionally in winter,” (H. J. Giddings;) “on April 4, 1891, saw a very large flock in heavy timber scattered over a number of trees; shooting off a gun produced little disturbance; took eight specimens; some in female plumage singing as well as the males in bright plumage; of those secured, three were males in bright or adult plumage, 2 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. three mules in female garb and two females; Dallas county” (J. Hugene Liw;) “have a male and female taken from a flock of six or eight in April. 1891; Mr. R. D. Goss, of New Shar- Ov, bas a specimen taken the year previous; these are the only cases to ry knowledge of its occurrence in Mahxska county,” (W. A, Bryan;) “tolerably common transient visitor in Poweshiek county,” (Carl Kelsey;) “rather rare in Van Buren county; have seen them in flocks of ten or twelve in winter, at rare intervals,” (Wm. Savage;) sweet singers. S21 (199.) Loxia curwirostra minor, (Brehm.) AMWARICAN CROSSBILL. (Red Crossbill.) Sometimes very common in north- ern portions of the state; rare in southern parts; winter visitant; flocks; "at Garner, Hancock county, this species made their appearance in 1891, October 8, and remained until November 17, when they disappeared; during that time they were nearly as often seen as the English Sparrow; they fed especially on the sunflower seeds,”(J. Hugene Law:;) “iarge num- bers of this species have been feeding on sunflower seeds in my garden this winter, 1891; Delaware county” (H. B. A.); “not rare in late winter; noticed -them quits common this spring, 1894, in Story county; W. E. Bryan reports seeing several flocks during late winter and early spring, 1893, in Mahaska county,” [W. A. Bryan;) “rare transient visitor in Poweshiek county,” (Carl Kelsey] “saw a flock in Van Buren county in winter 1881; have not seen any since,” (Wm. Savage;) peculiar looking birds. 522—198. Loxia Cucoptera, (Gmel) WHITE -WINGED CROSSBILL. Very rare: “I saw one specimen of this species in Van Buren county, - with the flock of American Crossbille, as noted above, but could not secure it,” (Wm. Savage. | 528—(207.) Acanthis Linaria, (Linn.) REDPOLL; LESSER REDPOLL. Ovzcasional winter visitant; flocks; “in Winnebago county; common some winters; rare in others; saw a very large flock of them February 17, 1894,” [R. M. Anderson;] “have ob- served them in large flocks in Van Buren county; feeding on weed seeds in fields and gardens, but only in ex- treme cold weather; have secured a male and female and portrayed them.” [Wm. Savage); “tolerably common winter visitant in Poweshiek county,” (Carl Kelsey.) 529 -(213.) Spinus Tristis, (Linn.) AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. Abundant throughout the state every month in the year; “resident in Winnebago county, but less common in winter, [R. M. Anderson]” “nests plentifully in Van Buren county; nesting in thistles, stalks of corn and small trees, from four to twenty feet from the ground,” (Wm. Savage;”) “abundant everywhere, along roads, in gardens and orchards; have taken THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 3 ' nests in August from thistles; Mr. G. ~ R)Fox reported to Mahaska Ornitho- logical Club, a nest taken in June, 1891,” [W. A. Bryan]; common sum- mer resident in Lyons county,’ (Carleton R. Ball]; I secured a set of four eges of this species September 16, 1895, nest placed in a thistle and composed of grass, fine rootlets,inter- woven with cobwebs and lifted with thistle down; has a very pleasing song. 533—(212.) Spinus Pinus. (Wils.) PINE SISKIN. Very rare; migrant; exceedingly rare in Van Buren county; only ob- served it a few times,’’[ Wm. Savage. | ‘‘tolerably common winter visitant in Poweshiek county,” {Carl Kelsey. ] 5532—(219.) ~— Plectrophenax Invalis, (Linn.) SNOWFLAKE; SNOW BUNTING. Not uncommon in northern por- tions of the state, rare in southern parts; winter visitor in flocks; ‘‘have seen a few flocks nearly every winter in Lyons county;it remains from Dec. to March,” [Carleton R. Ball]; ‘‘ winter visitant in large flocks in Winnehago county,’ (R. M. Anderson]; this species is rather rare in Jackson coun- ty; the last flock I have seen was in the winter of 1876 and ’77, during a severe snow storm,” [H. J.Giddings;| “rare winter visitant in Poweshick county,” [Carl Kelsey;” :‘have only seen two flocks in the past thirty years in Van Buren county,” [Wm. Savage]; ‘‘not common in Mahaska county; Mr. R. D. Goss reports hav- ing seen them in the extrerne south- ern portions of the state,” [W. A. Bryan. | Calearius (Linn.) LAPLAND LONGSPUBR. Common: fall and early winter; northern portions of the state; rare in southern parts; ‘“‘common visitor in fall and winter in \Vinnebago county; have taken specimens in October, November and December, earliest dates October 24, 1891, November 5, 1892, November 5, 1893; large flocks,”’ [R. M. Anderson; ‘‘never met this species in Mahaska county until Jan. vary, 1894, then saw a large flock of two hundred or more for several days,” [W. A. Bryan]; ‘quite com-— mon in Van Buren county; can easily be found in winter and early spring,” (Wm. Savage.) Lapponicus, 53¢—221. Calcarius Pictus, (Swain. SMITH’S LONGSPUR. This species was not reported by any of the members of the I. O. A., but Mr. Kelsey reports itas a tolera- bly common winter visitant in Powe- shiek county. ‘‘One specimen that was secured near Des Moines on April 18, 1885, is now in the Iowa Agricul- tural Museum at Ames, Iowa,” [W. A. Bryan.) d3S—(222.) Calcarius Ornatus,(Towns CHEstTNUT-coLLARED LONGSPUR. Mr. Carl Kelsey reports it as a rare winter visitant in Poweshiek county. Not recorded by any of the members of the I. O. A, 4 THE IOWA ORTHOLOGIST. 54£0—25 2. Porcaetas Gramineus, (Gmel) GRASS FINCH. (Bay-wiaged Bunting,) Common throughout the state, April to October; ‘arrived in Jackson county in 1894, March 22; abundant summer resident; nesting on the ground mostly in cornfields; on June 10, 1894, I found a nest in a potato patch which contained three eggs,”’ (H. J Giddings); ‘‘summer resident; not common in JVinnebago county, found one nest June 2, 1894, which contained three eggs,” (R. M. Ander- son;) ‘‘tolerably common summer resident in Poweshiek county.” (Kel- sey;) ‘‘common in migrations in Van Buren county,” (Wm. Savage,! ‘‘breeds common in Lyons county, numbers have increased rapidly in the past few years; arrives in spring about the 12th of April,” [Carleton R. Ball;]} common summer resident in Henry county; eggs four white with specks and blotches of dull brown; nests in May, June and July on the ground, in pasture, meadow or by the roadside; birds not shy. 000 —(192.) Passer Domesticus, (Linn.) ENGLISH SPARROW. Imported species, introduced into New York in 1850; ‘thas been found in Lyons county for several years, but but in no great numbers; does very little damage,” (Carleton R. Bail;) ‘abundant pest in Mahaska county; nests, and is a resident,” (W. A. Bryan); eats grain, but does no great damage in the state; drives away our native bids; is very filthy about houses; it 1s reported that thirty young may be reared from a single pair in a season; nests about cornices, etc., about houses, in bird boxes put out for the house wren, aud in every other convenient place. 54£2a—(227.) Ammodramus Sandwich- ensis Savanna, (Wils.) “SAVANNAH SPARROW. Not uncommon; breeds plentifully in some parts; “common in Van Buren county; nesting on the ground, by a tuft of grass or large weed,” (Wm. Savage); “tolerable common summer resident in Poweshiek county,” (Carl Kelsey); ‘has a very low, insect like song. BLS-(233.) Ammodrmus bairdii. (Aud.) BAIRD’S BUNTING. Not reported by any of the members of the I. O. A.; but Mr. Kelsey reports it as a tolerably common transient visitor in Pouweshiek County. 546—(234.) Ammodramus Savannarum Passerinus, (Wils.) GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. Summer resident in favorite locali— ties; ‘‘one male specimen shot in Winnebago county June 3, 1893, in an old stubble field,” (R. M. Ander- son:) **A summer resident in Dallas county,” (J. Hugene Law:) ‘breeds quite plentiful in Buena Vista county: © nesting in the dry grass on the prairie: nests often roofed over: eggs three to six,” (John V. Crone:) ‘‘rare summer resident in Lyons county: one set of five eggs taken June 29, 1891: nest placed under a ‘shoe string’ or ‘lead plant’:” (Amorpha canesceus) on THE IOWA ORNOTHOLIGIST, 5 = high rolling prairie: have seen a few birds in the nesting season every year since then, but have never found an- other nest,’ (Carleton R. Ball): ‘have observed this species fairly common in the fall of the year in Mahaska county,” (W. A, Bryan): this sparrow is also called the yellow- winged and cricket sparrow. | 547—(286.) Amn.odramus Henslowii. (Aud ) HENELOW’S SPARROW. Not uncommon in northern portions of the state; summer resident; rare in southern parts; “tolerably common summer resident in Poweskiek County” (Carl Kelsey) ; “Messrs. Keyes and Williams record it as a comYnon summer resident in Iowa. Mr. L. Jones informs me that in Iowa the favorite resort of this Sparrow during the breeding season are neglected fields and pasture lands. Its nest is placed on the ground, sometimes in a slight depression, beneath a tussock of grass; the composition is of fine and coarse grasses, with a few cow hairs. The eggs, Mr. Jones says, are deposited about May 25th.” (Davie’s “Nest and eggs of North American Birds.”) 548—(237,) Ammodrames leconteil. (Aud.) Lz CONTEH’S SPARROW. “One specimen of this species was taken in Polk County on April 19th, 1886, and is now in the Iowa Agri- cultural Museum at Ames, Iowa,” (W. A. Bryan.) 552—(281). Chondestes (Say.) grammMacus. LARK SPARROW. Abundant; throughout the state; May to October; “summer resident in Winnebago County; very common” (R. M. Anderson); “abundant sum- mer resident in Van Buren County” (William Savage); ‘‘arrived in Jackson County in 1894, May 2nd; found a nest June 10th, 1894 which contained four eggs and one of the Cow Birds’ eggs; nest placed on the ground in potato patch” (Mr. J. Gid- dings); ‘‘abundant in Mahaska County” (W. A. Bryan); two broods in a season; nests in May, June and July; eggs four or five, white with irregular lines of black and brown; nests always placed on the ground. bAd3-(282.) Zonotrichia guerula. (Nutt.) HARRIS’ SPARROW. Rare; migrant; more plentiful in the northern portions of the state; ‘very rare in Van Buren County; captured a male and female in 1892, the first I had seen in the county” ( William Savage); ‘‘tolerably common transient visitor in Poweshiek County” (Carl Kelsey]; ‘‘not so rare as a migrant in Winnebago County; have seen them in September and October quite often; in October I have heard them give a quite loud rather and pleasing song, of a few notes, repeated at short intervals; did not remember of seeing any in the spring, but refe- ence to my note book shows this speciés as seen May 12th, 1894” 'R, M, Anderson. | 6 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 55!£-(276) Zonotrichia. leucaphrys. County” [J. Hugene Law}; “our most (Forst.) WHITE CROWNED SPARROW. Rither rare; migrant; one of our most brilliant Sparrows; sexes dis— similar; female being much duller than male; arrive in Van Buren County about the first of April pass- ing to the north ia two or three weeks; wre not plentiful, Lut are found in flocks with **Zonotrichia al! icollis;” bave seldom seen them ia the fall; they ichahit thickets and hedge-rows; have a very pleasing song, but it is rather low; are not. shy, but require close observation to distinguish them from the White-throated Sparrow” 'W. G. Savage]; ‘‘migrant in Dallas County” [J. Hugene Law]; ‘‘have taken specimens in Mahaska County” |W. A. Bryan]; ‘“‘tolerably common transient visitor in Poweshiek County” ‘Carl Kelsey]; generally found singly or in pairs. 55 8-(275) Zonotrichia albicollis. (Gmel) WHITE THROATED SPARROW. Abundant; throughout the state; September and October, April and May; migrant; flocks; ‘-common in Winnebago County as a migrant; ip late April and early May, also in October” |R. M, Anderson]; abund- ant migrant in Jackson County; does not breed here; arrived in 1894, April 17th and remained until May 13th, during which time it was more numerous than any other species of birds ia this immediate vicinity” [H. J. Giddings]; ‘migrant in Dallas beautiful Sparrow; arrives in Van Baren County about the last of, March and remains five or six weeks, then passes to the north, returning about the middle of September; in- habits low thickets; very plentiful while here” | W. G. Sevage]; “common transient visitor in Poweshiek County [Carl Kelsey]; ‘‘visits us in large numbers in spring and fal] migraticn; Van Buren County” [ William Savage. | 5359—(268.) Spizella monticola. (Gmel) TREE SPARROW. Very common throughout the state; ‘‘winter residen#in Jackeon County; tolerably common; departs for the north about the first of April” [H. J. Giddings|; ‘‘common in the first and last months of winter in Buena Vista County; may stay ull winter; noted a flock on January 31st, 1891, which would indicate winter residence” [Jno. V. Crone]; ‘‘common winter resident in Winnebago County, but more plentifulin the migrating season” [R. M. Andersor}; ‘‘common in winter in | Dallas County” {J. Eugene Law]; ‘‘the most abundant of winter visitors in Mahaska County; comes in Novem- ber and leaves in March“ [W. A. Bryan]; common winter visitant in Poweshiek County” (Carl Kelsey]; winter resident; October to April; flocks. 560—(269 ) CHIPPING SPARROW. Very common; throughout the state; April to October; ‘‘an abund_ ant and interesting species in Mahaska County; nests may be found in hedges, evergreens, etc.” [W. A. Spizella socialis. (Wils.) 72 8 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 7 Bryav|; ‘is becoming common in Lyons County; absence heretofore due to lack of suitable nesting sites, I think; have taken sets” |Carleton R. Ball]; summer ‘‘resident in Winne- bago County; nesting in trees near houses” {R. M. Anderson]; ‘‘arrives in Van Buren County about the mid- dle of Apri]; they generally prefer to nest near the abode of man, in a briar thicket or small tree, from two to twenty five feet above the ground; has a very low song; sounds much like an insect” |W. G. Savage]; com- mon summer resident in Poweshiek County” [Carl Kelsey!; ‘‘eggs three to five, bluish-green with specks of black about the larger end; nesting on thistles, in bushes and small trees; one of our best known and most friendly Sparrows. 561—(27 2.) Spizella pallida. (Swain.) CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. Rare; throughout the state; nests in the northern -portions; ‘‘have not met this species, but in Davie’s ‘‘Nest and Hegs of North American Birds,” Jd. W. Preston is mentioned as having found it breeding in Winnebago County, Iowa, in June, 1885; it fre- quented the edges of brush and borders of timber. The nests were _ placed on the ground; one however, was builtin the branches of a low hazel. The materials used in the construction of the nesta were fine, ‘round grasses and blades, with a lining of hairs. The eggs were three to five, commonly three or four, the latter number predominating, they are similar in color to those of the Chipping Sparrow, and average about the same in size, 65x50” [R. M. Anderson]: ‘a toierably common | travsient visitor in Poweshiek County” (Carl Kelsey); rather rare in Jackson County; a few nesting in that county; arrives about the middle ot April” (H. J. Giddings); ‘‘very rare in Van Buren County; secured one specimen on May 9:h, 1891” (William Savage.) 5653—(271.) Spizella pusilla. (Wils.) FIELD SPARROW. Abundant; throughout the state; April to November; more sky than ‘Spizella socialis”; ‘common summer resident in Jackson County; arrived _ March 28rd, 1894; on May 8th, 1894 I found a nest of this species, placed in a tussock of grass, about two inches above the ground; it contained six eges, which I think is unusual, four being the most common number in a set” (H. J. Giddings); ‘‘abundant in Van Buren County; nesting in low bushes; I secured an albino of this Species a few years ago” [William Savage]; ‘‘common summer resident in Poweshiek County” (Kelsey); ar- rives in Van Buren County about the first of April; nests very near the ground in low bushes or tussock of grass; has rather a low little song, yet it can be heard quite a distance; sings any timein the day” (W. G, Savage); two broods are often reared in a season; eggs three to five, grayish white specked with brown; nests placed on the ground o¢ I have found itin a hedge four rie above the ground. 8 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 567 —(261.) Juncohyemalis. (Linn.) SLATE COLORED JUNCO. Very common; migrant in northern portions of the state; winter resident in southern parts; flocks; October to April; ‘migrant in Winnebago County; plentiful in March, April and early May, in October and November” (R. M. Anderson); quite an abundant winter visitant in Mahaska Uounty; found often in flocks with ‘‘Spizella montecola”” (W. A. Beyan); common winter visitor in Poweshiek County” (F. L. Owens); ‘‘very abundantin Van Buren County; arrives early in October and departs late in April” (William Savage.) also 58 t—(2#£4). Melospiza fasciata. (Gmel.) SONG SPARROW. Qaite common; breeds from the central portion of the state; “com- monin Jackson county; nesting in favorite localities, along the water courses; does not winter here, but is one of the first birds to arrive in the spritig, arrived March 9th, 1894,” [H. J. Giddings.| “Summer resident in Winnebago county; abundant, arriv- ing early in spring; have found nests in May, June and July,” [R. Mj Anderson.} “Quite common in Van Buren county; spring, fall and winter resident,” [William Savage.] “Com- mon winter visitant in Poweshiek county,” (Carl Kelsey.) Beantiful singer, a great favorite with all lovers of nature. 583—(64£2.) Melospiza lincoln. (Aud.) LINCOLN’S SPARROW. Very rare; migrant; “shot one speci- men in Winnebago county on Septem- ber 24th, and another on September 29th, 1892; others noticed in the county,” [R. M. Anderson.] “One specimen taken in Marion county on May 12th, 1885, and is now in the Iowa Agricultural Museum at Ames,” (W. A. Bryan.) “Not uncommon in both migrations in Lyons county,” (C. R. Ball.) 5S4.—(243 ) Melospiza georgina. (Lath.) SWAMP SPARROW.: Notrare; probably throughout the state; summer resident; “common in the swamps along the Mississippi River, and I think nests in Jackson county; have never found nesta,” (H. J. Giddings.) “Tolerably common transient visitor in Poweshiek county,” (Carl Kelsey.) “Common in Van Buren county; a few nesting here,” (William Savage.) 585—(282.) Passerella illaca. (Merr.) FOX-COLORED SPARROW, Common; throughout the state; migrant; “shot a specimen in Buena Vista county on March 30th, 1891; have since observed them to be com— mon in its spring migration,” (Jno. V. Crone.) “A common spring and fall migrantin Winnebago county; earliest date I have seen them in the fall was, September 27th, 1892, earliest latein the spring April 1st, 1893,” (R. M, Anderson.) “Common migrant in Jackson county; first seen in 1894 was on March 13th and the last one was on April 16th,” (H. J. Giddings.) “Tolerably common transient visitor in Poweshiek county,” (Carl Kelsey.) “Common and very early spring THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 9 migrant in Van Buren county,” (William Savage.) “Shot a male on October 8th, 1892 froma flock of eight, rather common migrant in Lyons county,” (C. R. Ball.) ‘Mi- grant in Mahaska county; common in tall grass along rail-roads,” [W. A. Bryan. | 58¢- (301) Pipilo erythrophthalmus. (Linn.) TOWHEE. Very common; throughout the state in suitable localities; “quite common summer resident in Mahaska county; inhabits quite open woods,” (W. A. Bryan.) ‘Have seen a few in spring and fall in Winnebago county; none in summer,” (R. M. Anderson.) ‘Common summer resi- dent in Van Buren county; nests on the ground; a few stay throughout the winter,” (William Savage.) Mr. Fred Hamlin, of Perry, Dalias county reports finding a nest of this species on July 24th, 1894, which was placed in a grape vine eight feet from the ground. The eggsare three to five, usually grayish or pinkish white, _ specked with reddish-brown; nests in May, June and July, BREAKS.THE RECORD, A nest of ‘‘Pipilo erythrophthalmus’ placed fourteen feet from the ground, in an oak tree which had a wild grape vine twining about it; the nest was placed on a horizontal limb, five feet from the trunk of the tree, and com- posed of leaves, corn-husks, weed- stems and grass, Jined with fine grass, the whole making quite a bulky nest. It was fougd on August 5th, 1894, and at that date contained two young birds which were nearly half- fledged. The old male Towhee was near the nest, and the female on the nest when it was first found. Mr, William and W. G. Savage, William Edwardsand David L. Savage (all interested in the study of birds,) were present when the nest was found, itis undecided which saw the nest first, but each one can testify that the identity is sure. The Cowbird often lays its eggs in this birds’ nest. I have found as many as five of the Cowbird’s eggs in a single nest of the Towhee. 593 [299] Cardinalis cardinalis. (Linn.) CARDINAL GROSBEAK. Common in southern portions of the state; not reported in northern parts; ‘‘on March 27th, 1894, I shot a fine male specimen of this species; have it mounted in my collection; this is the first one secured in Jackson county, that I know of,” (H. J. Gid- dings.) ‘*Very common in Mahaska county; nesting in Jow bushes,” [W. A. Bryan.] ‘*Common but not abund- ant in Van Buren county; nests are are very poorly built, and usually about six feet above the ground in thorn bushes; it is a resident,” { Will— iam Savage. | 595—(289. Uabia ludoviciana. (Linn.) ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. Common throughout the state; May to September; sweet singer; ‘‘abun- dant summer resident in Winnebago county nesting in trees almost any- where,’ |R. M. Anderson.] ‘‘Com- 10 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. mon in open woods in Mahaska county; builds an open nest, resembling that of the Mourning Dove,” |W. A. Bryan.} ‘Very common in Jackson county; has greatly increased in the past fifteen years; it was formerly quite rare,” (H. J. Giddings.| ‘‘Com- mon in Van Buren county; nesting in trees fifteen or twenty feet high,”’ [ William Savage.}| Nestsin May and June; eggs three to five, bluish- green, dotted with brown. &9S8—(295.) Passerina cyanea. INDIGO BUNTING, (Linn.) Common throughout the state; May to September; ‘summer _ resident; common in Winnebago county,” (R. M. Anderson.) ‘Not a common sum- . mer resident in Mahaska county” |W. A. Bryan.} ‘‘Very common in Van Buren county; nesting in low bushes,” [William Savage.) ‘*Common sum- mer resident in Poweshiek county,” [Oarl Kelsey.} ‘*A very common Finch in Van Buren county; arrives early in May and departs early in September; nests are placed about two inches from the ground in small bushes; if disturbed they will build the second aud third in a season; has a very pleasing song, whichis uttered from the top of some tree or bush; not shy; so netimes nests very near the abode of man,” [W. G. Savage.] LHggs three to five, usually four, white, with a bluish tinge. 604—(287.) Spiza americana. (Gmel.) DICKCISSEL. Also called Black-throated Bunt- ing; common; throughout the state; May to August; formerly rare; ‘abundant summer resident in Min- nebago county; nests in June, July and August,’ JR, M. Anderson. | “Common in Lyons county; nesting in hedges, bushes and tall grass,” fOarleton R. Ball.) “Very common in Mahaska county,” (M. A. Bryan.] ‘Common summer resident in Van Buren county; nesting in hedges or on the greund in the prairie,” | Will- 1am Savage.) Eggs four or five, greenish-blue, nearly the size and color of the eggs of the Blue Bird, usually nests on the ground in Henry county; sings in the night sometimes. FAMILY MNIOTILTIDAH WARBLERS. Small birds; often sweet singers; usually beautiful; mostly insectivor— ous; eggs almost always bluish white or crear: colored specked with brown. 636—[92,91] Mniotilta varia. (Linn.) BLACK anp WHITE WARBLER. Common; throughout the state; migrant. “Secured a specimen of this species September 11, 1894 in Dallas county” {J. Kugene Law.] “Common migrant in Winnebago county; May and August,” [R. M. Anderson." ‘‘Not common in Mahaska county,” (W. A. Bryan.; ‘‘Tolerably common migrant in Van Buren county”’ [ William Sav- age.] ‘Song very low but sweet and resembles the words, ‘‘See-thee, see- thee, see-dee,” and as slender to the ear as kair-wire to the eye, but so peculiar, so tender, so musical, ag even to soften and sweeten surround- ing nature. This species remind one THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. il of the Creepers and Titmice-in its manner of climbing around the branches. 637—(95) Protonotaria citrea. (Bodd.) PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. Messrs Keyes and Williams record if ay a Common summer resident of Iowa, and not uncommon especially in the eastern part of the state. ‘‘Ar- rives in Van Buren county about the middle of May and departs toward the latter part of July; very shy; not very plentiful; found about ponds, lakes and swamps in dense, low, bushy and grassy places; seldom if ever is this species seen in the tree— tops, even in the migrating season; its notes aro hardly worth the name of song, [W. G. Savage.| ‘Nests in the deserted hole of the Downy Wood- pecker or Chick-a-dee; the stump se- lected usually stands in or projects over the water.” (Davie’s ‘‘Nest and Eggs of North American Birds” | \ e 639—(96) Helmitherous vermivorous. (Gmel.) WORM-EATING WARBLER Rare; summer resident in southern portions of the state; not reported in northern parts. “Rare summer resi- dent in Van Buren county, (William Savage.) ‘I found a nest of this species in Henry county on May, 25, 1892, it was placed on a hillside in dense woods, composed of leaves, lined with hair-like moss and horse hairs. The eggs were five in number and measured .71x.55, .72x.57, .71x- 58, .76x.55, .77x.56, a creamy white dotted with red and brown. G£1—(98) Helminthrophila pinus, (Linn.) Buve-winceo YELLOW WARBLER. Rare throughout the state; summer resident; May to August; ‘observe this species at different times through- out the season in Mahaska county; probably breeds,” (W. A. Bryan;) ‘‘tolerably common summer resident in Powshiek county’ (Carl Kelsey;) ‘‘common in Van Buren county; ar- rives about the last week in April and stays throughout the summer; has a low and not very pleasing song; sings often at noon-day when most other birds are hushed and the scorching hot sun is pouring forth its hottest rays,” (W. 8. Savage:) “I found a nest of this species in Henry county on June 2, 1893, which contained three of its own eggs and two of the Oowbird;s; the nest was placed ina clump of May-apples and was nearly on the ground, only about an inck above it, upheld by the stems of the Mav apples; it was composed entirely of leaves and lined with hair; hasa very feeble song; a decided insect tone about it; eggs, three to five, white, sparsely sprinkled at the larger end with dots of reddish-brown. 642—(102)Helminthrophila chrysoptera (Linn,) GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. Not recorded by any of the members of the I. O. A., but in Davie’s “Nest and Eggs of North American Birds” it is reported as breeding in limited numbers in the bottom lands in west- ern Illinois, along the Mississippi River; hence I believe it is found mm Iowa, although I have no positive evidence of such being the case. 2, THE IOWA ORNOTHOLIGIST, 645--(106) Helminthrophila ruficapilla. (Wils.) NASHVILLE WARBLER. Not common; May; migrant; shot one specimen in May, 1892, in Win- nebago county,“ (R. M. Anderson.) "Not rare transient visitor in Van Buren county” (William Savage.) ”Tolerably common migrant in Powe- shiek county, (Carl Kelsey.) 646—(107.) Helminthrophila celate (Say.) ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, Rare; May and September; mi- grant in Winnebago county; one specimen taken May 21, 1892; two taken October 1, 1892,” [R. M. An- derson,! “Very rare migrant in Van Buren county,” [William Savage.] “Tolerably common migrant in Powe- shiek county,” [Car] Kelsey. | 647—[ 109] Helminuthrophila peregrina [Wils. ] TENNESSEE WARBLER. “Not uncommon; migrant; quite common in Winnebago county this spring, 1894.” [W.A. Bryan.] “Ar- rives in Van Buren county about the middle of May, stays about a week, and then passes to the north. They are quite plentiful while here; found in the tree-tops, sometimes on the lower bushes, but never on the ground; has a very low song, but is constantly twittermmg,” [W. G, Savage.] “Quite common migrant in Jackson county; arrived Jlay 11, 1894,” [H. J. Giddings. | 648 [93] Compsothlypis [Linn. | PARULA WARBLER. Also called Blue Yellow-backed Americana. Warbier; not rare; migrant. ‘Rare migrant in Jackson county; does not nest here; very few seen last spring, onlynoted on two days, May 11 and. 12, 1894, (H. J. Giddings,] A toler— ably common transient visitor in Poweshiek county, [Carl Kelsey.} May breed in the state, as it has been noted as nesting as far south as Missouri. 65 O—(126) Dendroica tigrina. (Gmel.) CAPE MAY WARBLER. Very rare, migrant; throughout the state. “Rare in Van Buren county; have only taken a few specimens,” [William Savage.| Not uncommon in Poweshiek county as a migrant,” [Carl Kelsey. | 652—[112] Dendroica aestiva. [Gmel.] YELLOW WARBLER. Oar only plentiful summer resident among the warblers; April to Sep- tember. “Nests abundantly in Lyons county; appears in the spring about May 10 and leaves by Angust 20, usually,” [Careton R. Ball.| ‘This species is abundant in Fayette county,” (W. W. Loomis.) ‘Nests abundant in Winnebago county,” [R. M. Anderson.| ‘‘Most common species in the family Minnotiltidae in Mahaska county; nesting in berry patches, hazel brush, currant bushes, etc. — builds a beautiful nest, [W, A. Bryan.j ‘Very abundant in Buena Vista county; nesting in small trees and bushes; eggs, three to five; nests often contain eggs of the Cowbird; have found double nests of this species with Cowbird eggs in the lower story, [Jno. V. Crone.) ‘Plentiful THE IOWA ORNOTHOLIGIST, 13 in Van Barea county, arriving about the first of May and departing toward the last of August; staying justlong enough to rear its young; nestiog in smali trees about 15 feet high; not very shy; sometimes nests within a short distance of the residence of man; song low but very pleasing, [W. G. Savage. | Arrived in Henry county in 1894 April 29. I saw a female of this species feeding a young Cowbird Octobe: 2, 1893; eggs, four, usually yellowish white cr greenish gray with specks of brown, 6 4—(117.) Dendroica (Gmel.) Buack-tHroatep BLUH WARBLER. Rare; migrant. ‘‘Shota male spec- imen on May 14, 1892 in Winnebago county,” [R. M. Anderson.] Not re- ported by any other member of the I. O. A. 652—[119] Dendroica coronata. (Linn.) MYRTLE WARBLER. Very common; migrant; the earliest Warbler to arrive in the spring “Abundant for a long time in spring and fall; earliest dates, April 14, 1893 and Sept. 30, 1893, Winnebago coun- ty,” [R. M. Anderson.] ‘Quite com- -mon migrant in Mahaska county,” (W. A. Bryan.] “Arrived in Jackson county April 17, 1894 and remained until May 3.” (H. J. Giddings. ] “Very common migrant in Van Buren coun- ty” (Wm. Savage.] They arrive in Henry county by April 15, usually. 657—(I25.)Dendroica maculosa. (Gmel.) MAGNOLIA WARBLER. Rare, migrant; a beautiful species, “Migrant in May; frequent in Win- caeruleacens | nebago county, {R. M. Anderson.| “Tolerably common transient visitor in Poweshiek county.” | Kelsey.]“Rare migrant in Van Buren county, have specimens taken May 11, 1893 and May 13, 1894, [Wm. Savage. 65S8—(118) Dendroica caceulae. (Wils.) CERULEAN WARBLER. “Not uncommon, migrant; notice ‘quite a number of this species near the college in Story county this spring "94 and took specimens,” (|W. A, Byran.| ‘‘Tolerably common tran- sient visitor in Poweshiek county,” [Kelsey.] Quite common migrant in Van Buren county,” {Wm. Savage.| Inhubits the tree tops. 659—(124) Dendroica Pennsylvanica. (Linn. ) CHESTNUT- SIDED WARBLER. Very common migrant; a few breed in the state. “Spring migrant, common in Winnebage county,” [R. M: Anderson.] ‘‘Noted quite common in May 1892 in Mahaska county.” (W. A. Bryan,| ‘*A common migrant in Jackson county; a few breed here; never found a nest in this county but on July 1 94,1 saw a female of this species feeding a young cow-bird; also saw a pair of them in this same grove in June 1894., which I think prove that they breed here,” [H. J. Giddings.) ‘I havea set of two eggs of this species taken in Pottawattamie county,” |Hrnest Irons.] ‘‘Have net observed it to be more than a migrant in Dallas county, ;J. Eugene Law] ‘Very common in Van Buren county; arrives about the first of May and stays throughout the summer. build- ing its nest in some small tree, six or 14 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. eight feet high; nests in June; hasa very pleasant song; not shy; female much duller than male, (W. G. Sav- age.) Higgs four or five. white or creamy-white, speckled with rusty brown and chestnut. 660—(123) Dendroica Castanea. (Wils.) BAY BREASTED WARBLER. Rather rare; migrant. ‘‘Tolerably common migrant in Jackson county; does not breed here; observed from May 1119. 94, (H. J. Giddings. ‘Rare transient visitor in Van Buren county,’ [Wm. Savage. | 651—(122) Dendroica striata. (Forst.) BLACK-POLL WARBLER. Common: migrant. ‘Spring mi- grant; not rare in Winnebago county”’ (BR, M. Anderson.) ‘Not very plenti- ful in Van Buren county; arrives about the first of May and remains very nearly a month, then they all disappear and are seldom seen in the fall; has a very pleasing song; very shy; often in company with other warblers,” (W. G. Savage.) Toler- ably common transient visitor in Poweshiek county, (Carl Kelsey.) A RARE FIND. Ono May 20th, 1894, Mr. Fred Hamlin found a nest of this species in Dallas county, Iowa. The neat was composed of grass and hair (hair being the main material), and was placed ten inches off the ground ina small thorn bush. The bash was only one rod from the banks of the Raccoon River. The eggs, were four in number, white, with a greenish tinge, and one egg is finely specked with markings of reddish brown, thickest at the larger end but not forming a ring, the rest range from this to the heaviest marked one, which has specks a little larger than a pin head, many obscure markings on the eggs, which give them a purpleish tinge. The eggs measure 66x51, 64x51, 64x52, 63x52. Mr. Hamlin spent about three hours in the capture of the female; © ~ male not seen. This was a very rare find, as_ this Species rarely builds in Minnesota. The first record of its nesting in Iowa. 662—(121.) Dendroica (Gmel.) Buacksurnian WARBLER. Rare; migrant; “spring migrant; not rave in Winnebago county” (R. M. Anderson.) “Spring and fall migrant in Jackson county; some seasons quite common and in others very rare” (H. J, Giddings.) “Rare transient visitor in Van Buren county” ( William Savage.) 667--)112.) Dendrosica virens. (Gmel.) WARBLER. Rare throughont the state; migrant; “spring migrant in Winnebago county; not common” (R. M. Ander- son.) “A rare transient visitor in Van Boren county” (William Say- age.) 2 Goe (132.) blackburnize. BLAcK-THROATED GREEN Dendroica (Gmel.) PALM WARBLER. Not common; migrant; “common as @ migrant in early May in Winne- bago county” (R. M. Anderson.) “Not rare in Van Buren county” (William Savage.) “A tolerably com- palmarum, “THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 15 mon transient visitor in Poweshick county” (Kelsey.) 674—(1S35.) — Seinrus aurocapillus. (Linn.) OVEN BIRD. Common: throughou the state; “common in Jackson county; nest- ing here, nests are very hard to find; arrives rather early for a warbler and departs about the first of August” (i. J. Giddings.) “A summer resident in Winnebago county, not rare” 'R. M. Anderson.) “Have not observed this species as as common in Mahaska county” (W. A. Bryan.) “A com- mon summer residentin Van Buren county” (Willram Savage.) “Com- mon in Poweshiek county; summer resident” (Kelsey.) Nests are placed on the ground and are oven sbaped, from this we get the common name of the bird; April to September; nests in June; eggs four to six, creamy- white, with spots and markings of reddish brown. This species is often the foster parent of the cow bird. 675—(136.) Seiurus noveboraceusis. (Gmel.) WATER THRUSH. Rare; a few breed inthe state; “I have found their nests in Van Buren county” (William Savage.) In Lowa, near Des Moines, according to Messrs. Keyes and Williams, a female was seen feeding its young in June, 1884. I have observed it as a migrant in Henry county. 6735a—(137.) Seiurus notabilis. (Grinn.) GrinnELL’s WATER THRUSH, Not reported by any of the niem- noveboraceusis bers of the I. O. A.; Mr. Carl Kelsey reports it as atolerably common sum- mer resident in Poweshiek county. 676—(138,) Seiurus motacilla. (Nieill.) Louisana WATER THRUSH, Rare; emigrant; “one specimen taken in Polk county. May 22nd, 1885, and is now in the lowa Agri- cultural Museum at Ames” (W. A. Bryan.) “A few remain to beed in Towa” (Davie’s “Nest and Kggs.“) 677—(140.) Geothly pis formosa. (Wils. ) KENTUCKY WARBLER. Rather rare; breeds ip some parta of the state; “tolerably common sum- mer resident in Poweshiek county” [Kelsey.] “Not common in Van Buren county, havé not found it neting” [{ William Savage.] ‘I found a nest of this species in the early part of June, 1894; it was placed in a buck-berry bush about three inches above the ground, and contained four young only a few days old; Van Buren county” [W. G. Savage. |] 67S8—(139.) Geothylypis agilis. (Wils.) CONNECTICUTE WARBLER. Hixceedingly rare; this specimen is only reported by William Savage; he says ‘‘I have taken a few specimens in Van Buren county; rare.” 679—[14£0.] Geothypis [ Wils ] MORNING WARBLER. Very rare; migrant: ‘‘a rare tran- sient visitor in Van Buren county” {William Savage. | philadelphia. GSla—(1#£1.) Geothlypis trichas occi- dentalis. WESTERN YELLOW THROAT. Very common throughout the state; 16 THE IUWA ORNITHOLOGIST. May to August; all the records relat- ing to the Maryland Yellow-throat have been brought under heading of the present sub-species; as the habitat of ‘Geothlypis trichas” is entirely east of the Mississppi River; ‘“‘snmmer resident in: Winnebago county; abundant; have found nests” (R. M. Anderson.) “This is a very common gpeciesin Mahaska, county; near grassy sloughs and along road sides; can almost be identified by its peculiar flight” [W. A. Bryan.; “Usually quite common in Jackson county, but this season it has been almost rare; arrived May 7th, 1894.” [H. J. Giddings.) "Common sum- mer resident in Poweshiek county” [Kelsey ] “Very common io Van Buren county” [William Savage. |] Nests in May and June in low thickets or on the ground; eggs four to six, creamy white, specked with reddish brown; nests often arched over; one of our sweet singers. 688 —(14£4.) Icteria virens. (Linn.) YELLOW BREASTED CHAT. Quite common; especially in the southern part of the atate; May to August; “have not found it in Winne- bago county; have one specimen that was taken in Cerro Gordo county May 80, 1891” [R. J. Anderson.] “Quite common in the brushy uplands in Mahaska coun'y; nesting” [{W. A. Bryan.| “A very common summer bird resident in Van Buren county” {William Savage.] ‘Common in Poweshiek county; summer resident” [Kelsey.] Nests in low bushes, two to five feet above the ground; eggs four. In the nesting season this species 1s the noisiest bird in the woods, at which time it may be observed in its wonderful erial evolu- tions, uttering its medley of sputter- ing, cackling, whispering and scolding notes, interluded with long whistles. 685 —(147.] Sylvania pusilla. [Wils.] WILSONS WARBLER. Rare; migrant; ‘‘saw one specimen on May 21st, 1893, in Winnebago county” (R. M, Anderson.] “Toler- ably common transient visitor in Poweshiek county” [Kelsey.] “One specimen taken on May 11th, 1885 in Polk county, and is now in the Museum of the Iowa Agricultural College at Ames” |W. A. Bryan.] 686— [149.] Sylvania canadensis. [Linn. ] CANADIAN WARBLER. Rare; migrant; ‘‘common migrant in the latter part of August, one specimen taken May 27th, 1894, in Winnebago county” {R. M. Ander- son.}| ‘‘A rare migrant in Van Buren - county” [William Savage.] *‘Toler- ably common transient visitor in Poweshiek county“ [Kelsey. | 687—(152) Setophaga ruticilla. (Linn.) AMERICAN RED3SIARY?, Common througkoutthe state from May to August. ‘Abundant sum- mer resident in Winnebago county” (R. M. Anderson.! ‘Oa June 14, 93, I took sets of 4, 64 and 1-5 of this species in Cerro Gordo county, incubation advanced,” [J. Hugene Law.} ‘‘This species ] had supposed to be a rare summer resident in Jack- son county until August 4, 941 took a ramble near the mouth of the Ma- quaketo river and in the timber near its banks I found specimens of both THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. tel) old and young of this species very plentiful; arrived May 8, ’94,” [H. J. Giddings.| ‘‘Common summer resident in Van Baren county.” [}Vm. Savage.] ‘Very plentiful in Fayette county,” {W. W. Loomis.| Nests in June in small trees from twelve to twenty feet from the ground; eggs four or five, white or grayish white with markings of brown; beautiful bird. Daviv L. Savace, Compiler. In a recent letter from J. Hugene Law, Perry, La., he speaks of taking _@ specimen of the Warbler [Dendroica vigorsii] on Sept. 11, 1894. ‘This species 1s very rare in the state and was not reported by any of the other members of the I. O, A. Pine creeping THE C&kOSSBICL iN IOWA. My acquaintance with the Ameri- can Crossbill began in the fall and winter of 84. I was then living in DeWitt, in the eastern part of this state. In onr yard there were several large evergreen trees, and in these the Crossbills would spend a goodly part of each day, as long as the flock stayed in that vicinity. The fall of 84 ig as early as [ remember seeing the birds, but each fall and winter after that up to 88, when we moved from the place the Crossbills were, regular winter visitors. Sometimes they would stay in the vicinity as long astwo weeks, so I managed to see a good deal of taem. Our house was so situated that a balcony ex- tended to within a few feet of the branches of two large evergreens, and from this place I have watched the birds for hours at a time. Cones were very numerous on these two trees, which made it a favorite resort. While feeding, the Crossbill is very intent upon its work, and does not seem to care ‘‘which end up” it is. They cling to the cones in all manner of positions, and a person may ap-~ proach quite closeto a flock without startling the birds. The lower branches of these trees were not over five feet from the ground, and I have often approached to within easy reach of the Crcssbills, but on the least suspicious movement the whole flock rises, uttering a sharp, peculiar ery of one syllable. Ordinarily when so startled, the flock settles in the near neighborhood after making a few circles overhead. The largest flock I ever saw num- bered about fifty, the usual number being twenty-five or thirty and in all the flocks I have seen, I notice that generaily about two-thirds of the virds are females. Formerly I thought those birds must be kept on very short rations, as the seeds are so hard | to extract from the cones, but upon examiuing the stomachs of several -specimexs I found that [ was much mistaken. They were literally stuffed with seeds. Their peculiar shaped bill is adapted to this particu- lar purpose, and when the Crossbill gets to work in earnest, it makes the chips fly- After leaving DaWitt, I did not see the Crossbill until the fall of ’90, when we moved to Hampton. Here I again renewed my acquaintance with the bird. I saw a small fiock 18 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. in November 1890, and flocks of about twenty on Nov. 15th and Dec. 5th "91. ‘This year [’92] a flock of about twen- ty-five has been in the vicinity and I have seen the birds almost every day during the last week of Jauuary and first of February. One thing I noticed in the Crossbill this month which is new to me, I saw a flock feeding on ash seeds, picking them from the ground under a tree. I had supposed their food to consist ehtirely of cone seeds. To conclude with I will say, the Crossbill 1s ia my estimation a very model of industry and one which I much admire. Frank H. SHormMaker, ' Hampton, Iowa. From March 1892 ‘Oologist.” BIRD MIGRATION IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. The following list of Sparrows and Warblers is qaoted from Bulletin No. 2 Division of Hconomic Ornithology entitled ‘‘Bird Migration in the Mis- sissippi Valley for 1884-5” and in- cludes only those species reported from Iowa stations, together with such brief notes as were deemed of value to Iowa Ornitholigists. A. 0.°U. oI. Fringillidae. Coccothraustes Verpertina. EVENING GROSSBEAK, » Rare winter resident. 615. Pinicola enucleator PINE GROSBEAK. ‘Reported from Mitchell county.”’ 547. Carpodacus purpureus. PURPLE FINCH. Loxia curverostra minor. AM. CROSSBILL. ' Winter resident at Coralville. 521. 522. Loxia leucoptera. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. 52%. Acanthis linaria. COMMON REDPOLL. 529. Spinus tristis. AM. GOLDFINCH. E. S. Passer domesticus. ENGLISH SPARROW. 534, Plectrophenax nivali.. SNOWFLAKE. Winter resident; common. 536. Calcarius lap ponicus. LAPLAND LONGSPUR. 537. Calcarius pictus. SMITH’S LONGSPUR. Winter visitor; uncommon. 5£V. Poocaetes gramineus. VESPER SPARROW, GRASS FINCH. ‘-A common breeder.’’ 542a. Ammodramus sandwichensis sa- vanna. SAVANNA SPARROW 545. Ammodramus bairdi, BAIRD’S BUNTING. 546. Ammodramus savanarum passer- inus. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. Breeds. 547. Ammodramus Henslowii. HENSLOW’S SPARROW. “Found breeding at Grinnell by Lynds Jones.”’ 548. Ammodramus leconteii. LE CONTE’S SPARROW. Found at Storm Lake in ‘‘first plumage.” 552. Chondestes grammacus. LARK FINCH. Common breeder. : 558. Zonotrichia querula. HARRIS’S SPARROW, “Common in middle and western Iowa and straggler at Mitchell’? during both migrations. 554, Zonotrichia leucophrys. THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 19 WHITE CROWNED SPARROW. “Winters inthe Gulf states and south- ward.?’ 588. Zonotrichia albicollis. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. Rather common migrant. 559. Spizella monticola. TREE SPARROW. “One of the most abundant winter birds from latitude 43 degrees to latitude 24 de- grees N.’’, 560. Spizella “Oe CHIPPING SPARROW. 561. Spizella pallida. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. Breeds from northern Neb., Jowa and northern Ill.; northward. 568. Spizella pusilla. FIELD SPARROW. Breeds over all Iowa. 367. Junco hyemalis. SLATE-COLORED SNOWBIRD. . Winter resident. ‘‘Ordinary northern winter limit of the species is from lat. 42 degrees to lat. 43 degrees. 581. Melospiza fasciata, SONG SPARROW. Breeder and common migrant. 583. Melospiza lincolni. LINCOLN’S SPARROW. Common in migrations. 584. Melospiza georgiana. SWAMP SPARROW. 585. Passerella iliaca. FOX SPARROW. “Few birds migrate more rapidly than the Fox Sparrow, and it is not uncommon for the first, the bulk and the last to be noted during the same week.”’ 587. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. TOWHEE. 598, Cardinalis cardinalis. CARDINAL. Occurs in southern Iowa. 595. Wobia ludoviciana. central 20SE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. tather common in migrations. 598. Passerina cyanea. INDIGO BUNTING. Summer resident. GO£, Spiza americana. DickcisseL, BLAcK-rHRoATED BUNTING. Breeds commonly. pe Ori Muitotiltidae. 636. Mniotilta varia. BLACK anp WHITE CREEPER. Leaves lowa about Sept. 5th and re- turns in'spring April 20 to May Ist. 637. Protonotaria citrea. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, “Winters beyond our southern border, and advances in spring regularly to south- ern Ind., Ill., la , and Neb. and occasion- al y a little farther, breeding throughout its U.S. range. 6£1. Helminthophila pinus. Biun-wincepD YELLOW WARBLER. Summer resident as far north as south- ern Minn. 6£2. Welminthophila chrysoptera. GOLDENWINGED WARBLER. ‘‘Breeds in Minn. Wis. and Mich.” 646. UWelminthophila ruficapilla, NASHVILLE WARBLER. “Breeds from northern Neb. and Iil., northward.”’ 647. Helminthophila celata, ORANGHE-CROWNED WARBLER. Common in migration. 6£¢. Welminthophila peregrina. TENNESSEE WARBLER. Common migrant, arriving about May 5th. 648. Compsothlypis americana. PARULA WARBLER. Not reported from Lowa stations but the species occur as a migrant and may breed in the state. 650. Dendroica tigrina. CAPE MAY WARBLER. Migrant, not common, 20 THE IOWA 652. Dendroica aestiva. YELLOW WARBLER. Breeds abundantly throughout Iowa. 54. Dendroica caerulescens, Buack-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. Migrant, not uncommon. 655. Dendroica coronata. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Abundant; migrant. 657. Dendroica maculosa. BLuacK AND YELLOW OR MAGNOLIA WARBLER. Rapid migrant, arriving about May 5th. 658. Dendroica caerulia. CERULIAN WARBLER. Migrant. ‘Though not uncommon ia the Miss. Valley, its habit of keeping in the tops of the tallest trees, enables it to pass unnoticed.” 659. Dendroica pennsylvanica, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. ‘‘Breeds throughout Manitoba and the northern states, south to Ia , and Ill.” 660. Dendroica castanea. BAY-BREASTED WARRLER. Not reported from any Iowa station, bu was quoted from St. Louis, Mo., and from Lanesboro, Minn. ‘‘By no means a com- mon species in Minn. (Hatch.) 661. Dendrcica striata. BLACK-POLL WARBLER. Common migrant. ‘‘Breeds north of Deas 662. Dendroica black burniae. BLACK BURNIAN WARBLER. Breeds from northern Minn. northward 667. Dendroica virens. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. Migrant, not common. northeastern Lowa, 971. Dendroica vigorsil. PINE-CREEPING WARBLER. Not reported from any Iowa station but was reported from St. Louis, Mo., and from Lanesboro and Heron Lake, Minn, n opposite sides of the state. ‘‘Invariably May breed in ORNOTHOLIGIST, associated with Dendroica palmarum?’’ | Hateh.] 672. Dendroica palmarum. RED-POLE on PALM WARBLER. Common migrant. Arrived here about April 27, leaves about Sept. 28. 674. Leiurus aurocapillus. OVEN BIRD. Common migrant; breeds. 675, Leiurus nova boracensis. WATER THRUSH. Not reported west of Miss. river. “Rather common resident in most wooded portions of the state.’’ [Hatch, Birds of Minn.] ‘‘Near Des Moines, Ia., a female was seen feeding its young in June 1884, according to Keyes and Wllliamss’’ [Davie’s Nests and Eggs of N. A. Birds.] 675a. Leiurus nova boracensis notabilis. GRINNELL’S WATER-THRUSH ‘‘Not an uncommon migrant.’’? Probabl breeds. 676. Leiurus motacilla. LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. Rare north of latitude 42 dee. 677. Geothlypis formosa. KENLUCKY WARBLER. *“May 11 it had reached almost the iimit of its northward advance at Burlington, lowa.’’ 678. Geothlypis agilis. CONNECTICUT WARBLER. ‘One of the rarest warblers of Miss, Valley.’”? Not reported from Iowa, but was reported from St. Louis, Mo., and from Minn. 679. Geothlypis philadelphia. MOURNING WARBLER: Breeds, Rare and rapid migrant. May breed. 681. Geoithlypis trichas. MARYLAND YELLOW THROAT. Not reported west of Miss. river. ‘‘Re- ported from nearly every part of the state.’”? (Hatch, Birds of Minnesota.] 6S81a_ Geothlypis trichas occidentalis. WESTERN MARYLAND YELLOW THROAT: THE IOWA ORNOTHOLIGIST, 21 —_—_. All the records relating to Maryland Yellow Throats have been brought under the present sub-species.*’ 688. Icteria virens. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. Rather common summer resident. 684, Sylvania mitrate. HOODED WARBLER. *‘A southern bird. Has been \taken in Wis. Iowa, eastern Kansas, etc.’’ 685. Sylvania pusilla. WILSON’S OR BUACK-CAPPED YELLOW WARBLER. “‘Common migrant. Breeding in Minn.’ 986. Sylvania canadenis. CANADIAN WARBLER. Reported from St. Louis, Mo., and Lanesboro Minn., but not from lowa sta- tions. 687. Letophaga ruticilla. AM, REDSTART. Common migrant and summer resident. In all cases where a species is re- corded in this list, thut was not reported by lowa stations in the Bulletin, I have made_ disfinct mention of this fact, and such species have been here recorded because of their occurrence both north and south of Iowa or where there was some difference of opinion in regard to the species as in the case of Leiurus nova boracensis and Geothlypis trichas. Carteton R. Batt, Ames, Ia. Sept. 25, ’94. “eS Important! Members who are in arrears for dues will please consider this equiva- lent to an official notification of such arrearage. An early remittance will oblige. Please send Money Order. Yours truly, W. W. Loomis, Treas. Clermont, Iowa. Nesting of the Brown Creeper. By Curtis H. Wilson. May 30, 1891, I visited some islands in the Mississippi River a couple of | miles below Davenport, Iowa. On one of these were a number of dead willow stubs. While sitting in the boat waiting for a friend, I saw a pair of Brown Creeepers [certhia fa— miliaria americanas| alight on a large stub about twenty feet above the ground and disappear under a large strip of loose bark. On climbing the tree I found between the bark and tree trunk a nest composed of wool and other soft substances and con- taining three young birds a day or so old. This is the first instance ever reported as far as I am able to ascer- tain, of these birds nesting in lowa or Illinois.— Oologist. te Ce nts Only for such birds as Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Baltimore Oriole, Chewink, Meadow Lark, Black- bird, Brown Trasher, Blue Jay, and birds of same size. All collected this year, and first-class. Also sets and singles of the Black- crowned Night-Heron for sale at 10c. each. Live foxes for sale. These are fine spec- imens ef the Red Fox. taken this Spring in Western Minn. Bird skins, Buffalo Horns, Deer Horns, and curiosities. Send stamp for price list. W.W. SEARLES, Taxidermist and Collector of Birds and Minerals. LIME SPRINGS, IOWA. 22, THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. The Towa Ornithologist. A Quarterly Magazine devoted to the study of Ornithology and Oology. DAVID L. SAVAGE, EpIToR AND PUBLISHER, Subscription Rates: OR GteY Rat eats 2 ia bape tie sites oe 40 cts. Single Copy.... .....- -10 cts Adveriising Rates. Tleree Tel Che? ce se cay, Bie la aie alee PE tae ERE $ .45 Pr AICHE ESS oe oO eh mete det 75 Pe MUOOLULPRUTY seca. © cieya Jot ovhestnw apse Sites 1.25 AEMOCVATININED © 5 pe. eresshate eines s erektiers xiseeLesins ss Dee DEMO Sh). 2. Soe tee ee eean 4.00 Application has been made for trans- mission through the mails as second-class mail matter. Address all communications to Davip L. SavaGe, Salem, Lowa. The Towa Ornithologist. Itis with pleasure that we present to you the initial number of this Magazine. It is published as the Organ of the Iowa Ornithological Association. This is the only Maga- zine, devoted to Ornithology and Oclogy in the Mississippi Valley, hence it undoubtedly will be wel- comed by collectors and ornithologists everywhere. We believe that the first number of Tue Iowa Ornirnoxtocist speaks for itself. As to the future, we are not without enthusiasm, and shall en~- deavor to keep up to a standard which will alway make us reliable, and valuable, We will have an exchange column in the next issue, free for all members of the I. O, A., so send in your exchange notice in good time. THE OPENING ADDRESS. By request of President Irons, I have accepted the editorship of Tux Towa OrnitHotocist, but not without feeling that there are many in the Association that could do the work much better than I, because they have had more experience. Yet with the love of nature implanted in my heart, I am willing to accept the editorship of a Magazine devoted especially to Ornithology, my favorite study, for I feel that the happiest moments of my life are when I am in the woods studying my “friends in plames;” Far from the world’s dull care With Peace and Nature there, Stray I, a boy! 3irds come and sing to me, Ah! they do bring to me— Fullness of joy. Truly, Byron felt the delights of delving among the secret wonders, with which Nature’s storehouses are fflled, yes to overflowing; when he said: ‘‘There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society where none intrudes By the deep sea, and music in its roar. I love not man the less, but nature more, From these our interviews in which I steal From what I may be, or have been before, To mingle with the universe, and feel Which I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal.”’ Now, this Magazine is published by the members, for the members of the I. O, A., hence each member should be personally interested in its wel- fare. We will endeavor to have this Magazine, just what a majority of the active members of the I, O. A. desire f THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 23 “it to be; as soon as each member “receives a copy of this issue, I desire that they write at once, telling what they think of it, what changes they think had better be made, and keeping back not one of their ideas-on the subject. I will forward these letters to the Executive Council, and each one will be carefully considered. _ dtis my desire (and I will do all in my power), that Tan Iowa OrnitHoLo- Gist may be a Magezine that will promote a true knowledge of the Wonders of Nature, and awaken in the hearts and minds of all its readers a truer love and deeper interest in the study of Nature, enabling them to “Look through Natures up to Nature’s God.” Davin L. Savace, —————g- —__ — THE ORNITHOLOGICAL AS- SOCIATION. Observing ornithologists cannot have failed to have noticed the lack of organization amony the fraternity throughout the Mississippi Valley, while in the Hast flourishing orni- thological societies are numerous. It is not becauss of lack of material, for we have earnest and intelligent col- lectors in Iowa, while the species that breed and are migrants form a wide field of research. It is therefore, apparent that something is necessary to revive interest. and we hope that the Iowa Ornithological Association will answer the purpose. This As- sociation was organized June 15th, 1894. It is our desire to have all the honest aud active ornithologists ip the State as active members; the an- nuaidues are only fifty cents, and r R. D. Goss, members that are not in arrears for dues will receive Tur lowa OrnitHOLO- cist free. The work of the Associa— tion is done entirely through corres— pondence. For the next quarter we have taken up the special study of the following families; "Icteride” (black birds, orioles, etc.,) “Tyrannide” (fly- catchers), and “Alandide” (larks); a full report of what is desired is given on another page. The following resolutions have been adopted by the Executive Coun- cil: Resolved, That we no longer use the Naturalist as the official organ, but, that the notes of the active mem- bers be published in the form of a magazine, which shall be issued quarterly. Resolved, That we place the names, aR an en New Sharon, William Savage,....-.. Wilsonville, on the “roll of honor,” the former on the recommendation of W. A. Bryan, the latter on recommendation of David L. Savage; and that we admit the applicant, Paul P. McGinty, of Ath- ens, Ga. to associate membership. Resolved, That the annual dues of the associate members be changed from twenty-five cents to forty cents; and that forty cents be the price ef one years subscription to the maga- zine. Signed, Ernest Irons, President. Carteton R, Batu, W. A. Bryan, E. B. Weesrrr, Execu tive Council. Below will be found alist of all members in good standing at thig date: Ernest Irons, President. Carleton R. Ball, Vice President. David L. Savage, Secretary. W. W. Loomis, Treasurer. 24 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. ACTIVE MEMBERS. 1 Anderson, Rudolph M. Forest City. 2 Ball, Carleton R., Ames. 3 Barstch, Paul, Burlington. 4 Bryan, Wm. A., New Sharon. 5 Crone, Jno. V., Marathon. 6 Giddings, H. J., Sabula. 6 Godley, A. P., Le Grand. 8 Irons. Ernest, Council Bluffs. 9 Keyes, Chas. R., Mt. Vernon, 10 Law, J. Eugene, Perry. 11 Loomis, W. W., Clermont. 12 Newell, Wilman, Ames. 13 Richardson, F. G., Mason City. 14 Savage, Walter G., Hillsboro. 15 Savage, David L., Salem. 16 Searles, W. W., Lime Springs. 17 Stearns, Fred R., Sac City. 18 Tryon, Chas. C., Avoca. 19 Webster, E. B., Cresco. 20 Woods, Paul C., Fayette. Honorary. 1 Goss, R. D., New Sharon. 2 Savage, Wm., Wilsonville. ASSOCIATE, Baylis, A. W., Cedar Rapids. Maycock, W. H., Salem, Iowa. McGinty, Paul P., Athens, Ga. McLaughlin, H. M, Mason City, lowa. Any further information con- cerning the Association will be gladly furnished by the secretary, Applications for membership should be tothesecretary. We need the co- operation of every active ornithologist in the state, and herewith give you a cordial invitation to join our ranks, Yours very truly, He oD bo Davin L. SavaceE. Salem, Ia. Our Special Work. It has been decided that we take up the families Jcteridae (black-birds, orioles, ete | Tyrannidae, [ fly-catchers |, and Alandidae, {larke] for this quarter. The active members are requested to send all the notes they have on all the species of the Family JIcteridae, (black-birds, orioles! to W. W. Searles, Lime Springs. lowa, by November 15. In making out your notes please state whether the species are permanent resident, winter resident, transient Visitant, summer resident, or acci— dental visitant, and whether abundant, common, tolerably common or rare, and also report on as many of the following questions as possible: Habitat.—Are they found in forests, marshes, dry uplands, on borders of ponds and lakes, running streams or near dwellings? Habits.—Explain all their peculiar habits you have observed. Song.—Favorite time of day or night; influence of weather on its song; difference between song of male and female. Nesting.—Give full particulars of construction, position, height from ground, exact date, incubation uf eggs, identification and composition of nests. Describing exact size and color of eggs and all peculiar situa- tions of nests. Number of broods reared by one pairinaseason. Are any of these species imposed upon by the Cowbird? Send your notes on the Family Tyrannidae to J. Kugene Law, Perry, Iowa, by Dec 1st. Your notes onthe Family Alandidae should be sent to Jno. VY. Crone, THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 25 Marathon, Iowa. In writing your notes on the lest two families named, please follow the directions as given above. Go to work at once preparing your notes and have them ready to sendin promptly on the dates named, as we want to get the next issue out early, for it will be the New Year [January] number. pe GENERAL NOTES OF INTER- EST, Tus Torre Titmouse wv lowa.— On the 20th of September, 1994, I saw two specimens of (Parus bicolor) with -@ company of Black-capped Chick- dees (Parus atricapillus) in Van Baren county. lowa.— W. G. Savage, Hillsboro, Iowa. Cuanee oF Hasits in our Native Birps.—“It would be es interesting from an evolutionary point of view, to note any change in the habits of an animal, any change in the way it adjusted itself tojits environments, as to note the charge in its bodily form or structure. It seems to me that such a change is taking plece with the Haglish Sparrow. A dozen or more years’ ago when these aliens first became a feature in our fauna it seemed probable that our native birds would be entirely driven from the neibhborhood of our cities and villages. Our MRobias, Bluebirds, Catbirds, Grosbeaks, Sparrows, Mar- tins and the like were mobbed, driven from their food and nests and gener- ally taught to believe, with Charles Summer, that “‘life is a serious busi- ness.” In this section, at any rate, a change has gradually taken place. Hither our native birds have un- expectedly developed powers of resis- tance at first unsuspected or the pugnacity of the English Sparrows has diminished, for certainly our own songsters have not been driven away, but on the contrary, seem as numex- ous asthey were twenty years ago. Hor the past two or three years, since my attention has been called to the matter, I have seen little if any perse- cution of our native birds by the foreign sparrows; on the contrary, our own birds are now often the aggressors, and if they do not indulge in persecution themselves, are adepts atdefense. Very commonly a Jay, Robin, or Catbird will from pure mischief hustle a flock of Sparrows into a desperate flight. In and about Rockford, Illinois, a place of 30,000 inhabitants, the native birds have not been so numerous in twenty years as in the two or three just passed. The conditions of the adjustment between the Sparrows and our common birds have changed to some extent, it seems. As has been noted before, the abunc— ance of the sparrows may gerve to explain the increase in the number of the smaller birds of prey,—with us notably the Screech Owl.”—F.H. Kimeoll, Rockford, Illinois.—+'The Auk.” A Set oF FIVE oF THE Prarrin Hornep Larx.—On April 12th, 1892, a friend and myself started ona search for egg3 of this species. Our first find was avery exceptional set’ of five normally colored eggs, which on blowing proved slightly incubated. This is the first set cf over four I ever: found, »nd find three more conmon:” 26 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. a than four in this locality. We were afterwards rewarded with two sets of of these eggs each.—J. H. Brown, Davenport, Iowa.—‘‘Oolcgist.” THe PineatepD WoopPEcKER IN Sournern Iowa.— While in the heavy timber near Big Cedar Creek, in Henry county, on September 15th, 1894, I noted three specimens of (Ceophlocus pileatus.) This bird is quite rare in this locality,—‘ Ep. | Tur Cepar Waxwine in NortHERN Towa.—In the spring and fall migra- tions (Ampelis cedrorum) is very plentiful. A few, however, breed here as I hava taken three nests, and knew of another being taken. A pair built two nests and raised two broods, one year, in our yard in the center of Forest City, Iowa, the first nest was within one rod of the house. I would class them as a resident in Winne- bago county, generally seen in flocks of from five to fifty. They feed on all kinds of berries, and also seem to be good fly catchers.—J. Eugene Law. bee Tur Saw-wHet Own 1n Capriviry.— On March 18th, 18983, some boys presented me with a live specimen of (Nyctala acadica), which they had caught two days previous. I kept it alive until November 25th, 1893. when it died. From the time when I first gotit, it was always very tame and would take birds and mice from my hands, and eatthem. Frequently during the night I would hear its querulous whistle or hoot repeated again and again.—R. M. Anderson, Forest City, Iowa, ——__- ® We desire to exchange advertising space with other publishers. 40 IOWA BIRD-LOVERS. Tue Jowa OrniTHOLoGIstT 18 @& thirty-two page magazine, which contains timely and interesting arti- cles on Ornithology. it is the organ of the Iowa Ornith- ological Association, an organization for the purpose of promoting a more — thorough study of the birds of our. State. Are you amember? If not you should be. for we need the co- operation of every active ornitholo- gist in the State; dues only fifty cents annually, and members receive Tue Iowa OrnirHovocist free. We extend to you a cordial invita— tion to join our ranks ; send ten cents for a sample copy of Tue Iowa Or- | NITHOLOGIST. Yours very truly, Davmw L. Savaez, oe ae We would also call the attention of — advertisers to our ‘‘ advertising rates,” which are exceedingly low. Give us a trial. Note-heads, per 500 - - - $1.50 Letter-heads, per 500 - - = ATS Envelopes, per 500 - - = #50 ALL OTHER PRINTING VERY OCHBAP. First-class work guaranteed. Mail orders to Gero. L. Tomuiyson, Salem, Iowa. IOWA. JANUARY, 1895. . 28 ~~ y THE! IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK... Philohela minor. RF i.e interesting and beautiful game birds. Some eleven or twelve inches long—the male being quite a good deal less — with a bill three inches long, wing five and one- half inches, tarsus one and one fourth inches, middle toe and claw one and three-fourths inches; the toe very slender and soft; tail is only one and one-half inches long, composed of twelve feathers. The eye is placed far back and very high in the head, giving the bird a rather droll appearance, but for all that, he is not as fool- ish a bird as he may be foolish looking. About sunset or rather between sunset and dark, in the months of April and May, he in his way is very musical, although his notes are not very charming to our ears, being composed of a few harshly uttered notes, which may witha very little imaginative help be rendered into the words, cuckoo, speak; the last word more guttural than the first. Sometimes when he is performing his evening. exercises, it is quite difficult to obtain a_ shot at him as he is extremely shy and wary; the least movement of the arm, to level the gun upon him is discovered and away he goes flying in a wide circle and mount- ing higher and higher untill he 3 This species is one 6f our.most but before he touches, the earth, he a few feet above the ground he seems quite exhausted, then commences a series of notes sembling the words, chick, ch and the nearer th ‘ chow, chow, flight the: faster he repeats his notes, the two last. words are repeated in a much lower scale than the first, then you see him ~ coming down like a plummet spreads his wings,. and fluttering .- alights as graceful as a snowflake, and-if nothing suspicious appear in his view, again begins his song. This}: bird. although a lover of. watery ‘atid’. -qmarshy ground, always nests on high ground, ane a peculiarity, is ‘have obser red, them. 38, they carry, their yee Wage aaa: then after a time bac to Henan \ i ’ Wo. Savane _ “Hooded Warbler. | ges tt *Sylvania_mitrata. * a 4 it, This bird is quite rare in thi state, it was not included in the list. of Warblers, which was published in the October Iow ORNITHOLOGIST, No. 684. U. THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. orn ay Notes on The Birds of Iowa. OrpER PASSERES. Perching Birds. Birds that have the four toes on nearly the same level, with the hind one exactly opposite the others, giving © perching. » great facility in SusorpEr CLAMATORES. _ Songless PerchIng Blrds. ce TYRANNIDE. Flycatcners. Pte Most of the species are strictly insectivorous, hence they are.-in- dispensable to the farmer. 444. Tyrannus tyrannus. — ( Linn) TYRANT FLYCATCHER. - ; ‘tesident i in Jackson Co., Nests, in ~~ “holes in ‘trees. King Bi-d. Common summer resident’ | throughout the state. ‘‘Arrives latter part of April and departs edast or Avipust.”(H. G. Gidd- ings, Jackson Co.) ‘‘Nesting sites | ; vaty widely, nests being found it _ gtoves near dwellings, on farm machinery i in yards and out in the flelds, in isolated trees on bound-. aries of farms, and in thickets by ‘the side of the lonely small sticks or twigs with an occasional string woven in, and lined with hair, wool or feathers. _ In Lyons Co., fresh eggs may be - found from June first until July, irae OC. Rk. Ball.) ‘I observ ed ‘Bosed. almost entirely of sheep’s deep woods. | May 15, .t07 September 2.” CH: (Gay _resident: * in -although not abundant.”(W. G. river. _ Nests are composed of grass and -a cast of Snake skin.”’ a a curious nest of this bird's, com- wool. It contained 3 eggs.”(P. C. Woods.) ‘I have a runt egg about the size of a Yellow Wur- bler’s which I found with two full “sized ones in a deserted Blue Jay’s “nest. I remember were, one on top of a rotten post and one -between the © Two peculiar nesting sites © spokes of a rake wheel.’ (Jno. V. Crone.) ‘Fhe spots on different sets exhibit two phases of colora- — tion, some sets being spotted with clear bright brown and others with dark purplish brown. Have ‘found a runt egg smaller than a ~ Wren’ 3.0’ R. M. Anderson.) © 452. Myiarchus crinitus.( Linn, ) CRESTED FLYCATCHER. “Polerably .-common summer Very retiring: 10- generally frequents ‘Present in 94 from its habits,” Giddings.) ‘‘Common summer Van..Buren Co. Savage. yi. “ Arrives second week in May, departs second wéek in — September. .. .Its:: presence “is always made known by its harsh cry. Nests in natural cavities or deserted woodpecker holes high upintrees. Nests of any trash, feathers or woolly substances and (Lynds Jones.) Rare in northern part of the state. F. G. Richardson has taken specimens in Cerro Gordo Co. Commo1 summer resident in Dallas Co., making the woods 20. THE IOWA CRNITHOLOGIST. ring ete its Hoisterous cries, es- pecially for first week or two after its arrival. 456. Sayornis Phoebe. (Lath.) PEWEE. Common simmer _ resident throughout the state. The first ofthe Flycatchers to arrive and the last to depart. ‘‘It is very plentifulin Fayette Co., nests anywhere in May, June July.” (P. C. Woods.) Bui i one pair, I think, built ent nests, aid eggs were taken from four different spots under the saiie bridge, as follows: June 3d: Eggs unspotted, incu- bation advanced. June 13, 4 fresh eggs, unspotted. July 3d, 4 eggs slightly incubated. July 22, 4 eggs unspotted.” (R. M. Anderson ‘Was present in Jackson Co., in 94 from March 17, to October 9.” (H.J. Giddings.) Nests in caves, under bridges and culverts, in cow sheds, deserted dwellings and out-buildings preferring the vici- nity of streams. Nests generally placed on top ofa horizontal beam though sometimes plastered to the side. Composed of mud, moss, and cow hair atid lined with horse hair. Eggs3to 5, creamy white sometimes with brown specks 459. Contopus Borealis. (Swains.) OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. It is not rare in Dallas Co. during the summer Rare in Wianebago and mouths. Carro Gordo counties; one taken in th latter May 30, ’91 aud one in the former May 27, ’93 are uow in my collection.(J. E. L.) ‘“‘Saw oe specimen May 21, and another Aug. 20 1885 Ea: mizrant.” (Lynds Joues. ) 461, Contoous Virers. ie WODD POWE ‘“‘Numevous near Cou he Bluffs. Nest found in partly cleared tim- ber. Generally select oak or elm trees for nests, which are saddled on the limb.”(E. Irons.) ‘*Abuan- daiut summer resident in Jackson Co. found in forests and among senttering trees. Soug heard at ali times from arrival to depart- ure. Present 94 from May 14, to Sept.21.”"(H, J. Giddings.) *‘Sumi-) tier resident common in wood- land. - Nests on horizontal limbs, usually oak or basswocd, a very b2autiful affair, quite shallow, covered with lichens and hard to discover, as it looks like a knot. Kees 3 resembling King bird’s in color. Laid about the 15 to 20 of June.”(R. M. Anderson.) ‘*Com- 10n simmer resident in Farette Co. Aset of three was taken June 20.”(P. C. Woods.) 463. Empidonax Flaviventris. ( Baird.) YELLOW BELLIED FLYCATCHER. I took a specimen at Forest City, Winnebago Co. in Sept. 1890 eS sale i - THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 31 ‘but the exact date I do not re- member... EK. 1.) ‘Tolerably common from May 15 to June 1. ‘Ihave not seen itin Autumn.” (Lynds Jones. ) POON, Empidonax acadicus. (Gmel.) ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. Probably more abundant than is generally known. ‘‘This species is not at all common near Council Meltie, Ii the spring of 91 I found in company with a fellow Meollcctor, two sets, one of iIwesaud. one wot three eggs. Altogether we took four nests ‘with eggs that season. All were situated within a radius of one- half mile, in a tract of upland _ woods, sloping down to deep val- \teys. Nesis were suspended in _ Saime mainer as vireos, and gen- M By ae ite the side of a hill. _ There was however one except- et. “ac"T a nest contained 3 eggs. q mest in a tract ‘of level hazel : brush in a shady valley. Com- _ posed entirely of oak catkins with : a few horse hairs inlining. Every , season since I have spent days, _ searching every piece of woodland but failed to discover this fly- _ catcher.” (KE. Irons.) ‘‘Common q summer resident from May 10, to 4 . Sept. 15. Nests saddled into horizontal fork with bottom pro- in _ truding below. Very few or no lichens used. Nests usually in low bushes in heavy thicket, or else heavy woods.’’(Lynds Jones. ) 4062. Empidonax pusillus traillii. (Aud.) TRAILL’S FLYCATCHER. “’Tolerably common summer resi- dent in LyonCo. One brood a season. Nesting begins June 10 lasting about three weeks.” (C. k. Ball.) ‘‘Rather rare migrant in Jeckecn Cc... May. breed, ‘but have never fourd nests. Retiring © in habits and hard to observe.” (IL-3: Giddings:.)'** “Summer resicent in Wiznebago Co. Tol- ercbly common but ashy bird, seldum seen ard very rarely sur- priscd on nest. Have found nests as follows: July 3, ’93--One nest with young just hatched, and Cne with 2 eggs and 2 young. June 23, ’94-- 4 eggs, incubation slight. June 25, ’94--4 eggs incubation slight. All nesis were in pussy willows at an average height of 4 feet. Kggs creamy white, speckled or wreathed with light reddish brown.” (R. M. Anderson). ‘““Mirst met this bird in ’89 when I took three nests from the same hedge and undoubtedly from the same birds. A fourth was found later with young. The hedge formed a hollow square. The birds are very shy. Following nests have been taken by me. I. June 23, ’89--1-3 Incubation fresh. Nest outside diametér 3%, inside 2. Outside depth 2%, inside 134. Made of bark, down, 32 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. piece of string. Lined with fine grass. In fork of small willow 5ft up. Il. July 7. ’89--1-3 Small em- bryos. Nest, outside depth 3% inside 124. Material andheight as in I. . Ill. July 21, ’89 1-3 Data same as in II. IV. June 29, 90-- 1-4 Incubation advanced. Nests as in above. V. June 2990 --1-4 Fresh. Nest in willow 4ft up. VI. June 21, ’91 -- 1-4 Fresh.” (Jno. V. Crone, Buena Vista Co. ) “Nests in willow copses near Two sets taken running stream. as follows: I. June 18, ’94-- 1-4 Fresh. Birds shy. Nests in willow crotch 6 ft up, and 10 ft from water. Com- posed of willow fibers, lined with down from willow. II. July 14, 94-- 1-3 Fresh. Nest similar to first in willow crotch 8ft up.’”’(E. Irons, Council Bluffs. ) 467. Empidonax minimus. ( Baird.) ‘LEAST FLYCATCHER. “Breeds commonly in Buena Vista Co. -Nests resembl.ag Yellow Warbler’sin position, date and material. Usually 4 Cowbirds impose on this species. Normally one brood in a season.” (Jno. V. Crone.) ‘‘Common sum- mer resident in Winnebago Co. Nests found in willow or cotton wood groves near houses, some- times in woods, never higher than 15ft. 4 creamy white eggs are goo eger. Gor us R: “Ball. “Coste from May 1st to June Ist. 1 individuals ever remained allsut mer near Grinnell. I have Autumn record.” (Lynds Jones. SuBoRDER OSCINES. Song Birds. FAMILY ALAUDIDA. Larks. Seen : eee £ : Five of the members, from as : this “family in our state. Trl their notes it appears that it is viz: 474b Otocoris alpestris “daa ; PRAIRIE HORNED LARK. — Mr. Savage expressed his be that Ovocoris alpestris also occurs — asa visitant although he hag not observed it. Be The Prairie Horned Lark i permanent resident as far n as such in most if not all parts ee the state. ‘‘It is least common. winter and most in migrati seasons.”(J. Eugene Law). The habitat of this spe varies with the season. the winter he frequents bare spo barnyards and roadsides, whe food is most easily found. The notes on nesting will show its THE IOWA ORNITEOLOGIST. SS ira habitat during breeding season. © with a few grasses; those for the -_ broods are The nests, while always upon the ground are placed in many different situations. Those for the first brood are usually placed on the southern slopes of hills and in door yards; second and third commonly found in cornfields, often at the foot of a Sfalicw aor cor.’ (C..R. Ball.) “Have found second nests placed in cornfields in a little hollow at the foot of a bunch of corn, lined much less substantially built tian tle fiist ‘nests of the season which are built with thick linings to with- stand the cold and frequently heavy snow that falls on them.” (R. M. Anderson. Winnebago, county.) ‘‘They frequently breed in corn and oat fields and hund- reds of their nests are destroyed by the cultivator and drag,’ (In Winnebago county. J. Hugene Law.) ‘‘In the spring they seek meadows atid pasture lands for nests. Lateras the weather be- comes hotter I never find them _ there but they go to the cornfields and build their nests almost in- _ variably beside a hill of growing corn. ‘T‘he nest is sunken down level with the soil and is very hard to see. ‘This hole is lined (often very scantily) with soft ' grasses and often with some hair and milkweed down.” (Marsh- mite county. A. P. Godley.) “Breeds very early. Found a nest with three young birds nearly -reudy to fly Apr. 9, 1889, and Apr. 17, 1892, found nest with four birds that could fly. After the young are raised they mcstly migrate, only a few remaining through the middle of summer; begin to return early in Septem-. ber, and remain till first part of November. This is the first bird to arrive in the Spring for the past five years; earliest date of arrival was Jan. 3 ’93 and latest Feb. 14, 1892.”(Jackson Co. H. J. Giddings.) ‘April 14, 1890, took a set 1-5, incubation advanc- ed. Neston top of a grassy hill in town. A hollow in the ground under a tussock of grass, lined with grass. Apr. 15, 1891, found two nests, one with three and one with four eggs. April 17, the latter contained three young and one egg. Dimensions of this nest were: Outside diameter 3% in. Inside 2im. Depth outside 2%. Inside 2. Composed of dry grass lined with tow and milkweed cot- ton. Situated in the middle ofa dunghill surrounded by a bunch of dry grass. The nest containing 3 eggs was smaller with more hemp and cotton. Similar sit- uation.” (Winnebago ~ Co., J; Eugene Law.) ‘The first set is usually in April though eggs have been taken near Forest City in March.” (R. M. Anderson.) ‘Two or three broods are raised each year, the first eggs being laid asearly as April 1st, while the finding of fresh eggs as late as July 15 is not uncommon, I wy 34 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Be have in my cabinet aset of 6eggs taken May 25, ’91 from a nest in a pasture near town.” (C. R. Ball). “Heros 3 to 6”(J. Eugene Law.) The compiler has a set of six eggs taken May 26, 1891. Nests a hollow in ground in flax stubble field, lined with grass. Incubation slight. ‘Eggs generally 4 or 5” (Jackson Co., H. J. Giddings..): “I once found a nest of . this species containing young that was placed within three feet, of the wagon rut toa road. The travel on this road would rather exceed than fall under twenty teams a day. I often find one or more eggs of the cow- bird in the nests of this species. On March 23, 941 took a set of three’ eggs, incubation slight. After the above date we had several light snowstcrims, one of which was about three inches in depth. After this I saw young birds wich I know must have survived:: the storm.’( Marshall Co. A. :P. Godley.) ‘They are very fond of alighting on fence- posts to sing. Have never seen one ina tree. This species has the habit of arising to a consider- able hight, singing as they arise then closing their wings to des- coud similar to the skylark; have Hever se2n this performance except in spring; sings all the season and at all times, but more in early spring.”( Jackson Co. H. J. Giddings.) ‘in Springtime the birds are frequently seen per- ched ona fencepost or a little rise of ehand, uttenian alo : rather pleasing song of a few notes. Once in early March I heard a Prairie Horned Lark s while soaring up high in air. In the Springtime when” they are in pairs if one of the” birds be shot the other bird will frequently fly down where’ ee dead bird drops.”( Winnebago C R. M. Anderson.) ‘The sma black tufts of feathers, from. which the bird gets the nam ‘‘horned” lark; are seldom elev ted; only in time of excitemet perhaps. The birds show litt fear of men or animals, The bear in Buena Vista Co, th oy names of ‘‘snowbird”, ‘‘ground — bird”, and ‘‘wheat bird,” The las A name is well deserved for the eS are very fond of wheat, and they and the Lapla {‘Longspurs will materially diitigish the stand. the seed is sowit and left une ered for any length of time ‘'Bhey are permanent residen S. dieing mild winters at least, and- rear’ three broodsin a seul 3 Iowans all love this hardy a lonely representative ... of th Famitry ICTERIDA. Biack birds. Orioles. Ete, throughout the state, in all fav ite localities; arriving about th last of April or early in May. ee tra Mes | THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 35 f AN AANA) ' “They frequent marshy places, especially meadows through which a little stream is running”. (Paul Bartsch.) ‘‘During the nesting season they frequent grassy meadows, nesting in those _ places which are covered with grass, half-way between the short upland and the long slough Prass Jno: V. Crone,) “Itisa very good singer, invariably pouring forth its song as it rises on wing upon being flushed by the passer-by. During the breed- ing season the male can be seen perched upon some reed or fence- _ stake and from this elevated posi- tion he pours ‘orth his song. The female is shy hence not often captured. I have seen these birds gather by thousands on the prai- ties of Illinois, opposite Burling- ton. Iowa, in the autumn,’ (Paul Bartsch. CG) Mr: R, M. Anderson ‘says that the male bird is a fine singer in the spring-time, as per- ched upon a bending weedstalk he whistles *‘bob—o—link—link milk.’ Adter the young are hatched, males. females, and young assume the same dull yel- Ah eter one Body eff VA s Mel} f Belen aan ae \ ah in ae i aan CONG, ‘erass.”’(Paul C. Woods. ) ANG Foe Ys ma Sie ae hE | : } ! WA ui SS UAal A iss Wh Ma EN, TAR? on sf lowish brown plumage, arid dur- ing the latter part of July, and August, they frequent rushes, — reeds and wild rice along the creeks, departing in September. The nests are very difficult to find. On July 2nd 1894, while coming across a pasture I flusheda male bobolink from the grass; a rod or two farther on the female flew up from near my feet, and looking down I saw the nest, which con- tained four fresh eggs; the nest was placed on the ground in the center of a clump of grass, and was composed entirely of grass; this was the first nest Iever found, however, I had the good luck to find two more during 1894. ‘The nest is placed in a'slight depres- sionin the ground, and is poorly constructed of a few blades of grass, with water often standing in the bottom. The eggs are four or five in number, and near- ly the color of the surrounding ‘“The nests are carefully concealed, and the female’s habit of running through the grass untill some dis- tance from the nest before-rising, 36 makes it a very diffiicult to find.” (C. R. Ball.) ‘‘Common from first week in May untill second week in September. A pair toa very large meadow. I never could find a nest inlowa, but have taken two in Ohio.” (Lynds Jones. ) 495. Molothrus ater. (Bodd.) COWBIRD. Common summer resident, throughout the state. ‘‘Arrives about the middle of March, and ‘remains very late in Autmn. This species is always found in flocks. I have never found a sing!e bird, but what some of its kin 1 were near by, unless it was a young one. It is very common at Burlington and Iowa City, often associating with other black birds.” (Paul Bartsch.) Mr. Wm. Savage says that it is a bird that nature seems to have neglected in its education, as it does not build anest, but. imposes upon nearly all of our smaller birds, from the brown thrush to the smallest war- bler. It lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, never driving away the rightful owner, nor taking possessicn by force, but will creep stealthly into the nest in the ab- sence of the owner, and hastily deposits an egg, hurry back to join its company with the most obvious relief, and without the slightest further concern for their offspring. ‘‘] have found the eggs of this species in the nests of the THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. following birds: Bluebird, Wood Me thrush, Yellow Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Song Sparrow, Chipp- ing Sparrow, Rose-breasted Gros- beak, Scarlet Tanger, Redeyed — Vireo, W. MarylandYellowthroat, — Ovenbird, Cat bird, Thrush.” (J. Eugene Law.) Mr. R. M. Anderson writes of taking its eggs from nests of the Red Brown — = winged blackbird, Least Flycatch- er, Yellow throated Vireo, Orch- — ard Oriole, and Dick cissel. “I have found their eggs in the nests of Prairie Horned Lark, Warbling Vireo, Bobolink and Barn Swal-_ Other low.” - (Jno. V. Crone.) than theabove, I have found the — eggs of this parasite in nests of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Blue- — , winged Warbler, Lark Sparrow, — Field Sparrow, Towhee, Redstart — Kingbird. Robin, Pewee and ‘‘The Ovenbird is the greatest — sufferer from this parasite. I found an egg inthe nest of a Pewee. C. R. Ball thinks the Yellow Warbler is imposed upon the mos. _ The Cowbird cares little about the location of a nest in which it lays . I have found its eggs. its eggs. in nests in the trees, as often as on the, ground, and peculiar place whice I found an egg was in a * Pewee’s ‘nest which was placed in an old house, the only entrance to which was through glass in the window. Strange how lady Cowbird found the nest. 4 The nest was under a _ low bridge.” (Lynds Jones.) Mr. — a broken was by Dr Jonathan Dwight Jr. The third title was ‘bution to the Life History of Prozana cineretceps Yawr., with Critical Notes on some of its Allies’ by Charles W. Richmond. In the absence of the author it SAL Comti= was read by Dr. Allen. The only paper of the afternoon session was by Mr. Frank M. Chapman, entitled ‘A Sketch of | the Bird-life of the Lesser Antill- — ’ es. The members and visitors repair- ed to the Lecture Room of the Museum where lantern Afterwards Mr. Wm. Dutcher ex- hibited lantern slides of common birds found in the vicinity of New York. Lantern slides of a few British birds, shown by Prof. — A. S. Bickmore, concluded the afternoon. Third Day. called to order by Coues. Before proceeding to the reading of papers, were adopted extending the thanks of the Union tothe Trus- tees of the American Museum of — Natural History for a place of | meeting and for other courtesies tendered to the Union; to the Council of the Scientific Alliance’ of New York, for its cordial invi- tation to attend the meetings of the Societies forming the Alliance and to the Linnean Society of — slides illustrating this paper wereshown. The meeting was President Dr. — resolutions — New York for generous hospital- ities extended tothe Union dur- ~ ing its Twelfth Congress. The first paper of the morning Otto Widmann on | The second paper was by Geo. H. Mackay on ~ was by Mr. ‘Smith’s Longspur’. ‘The Terns of Muskeget Island’. In the absence of the author it a my THE IOWA CRNITHEOLOGIST. 47 : was tead by Mr. Wm. Dutcher. The third title was ‘Something ‘New’ by Judge John Clark. “The Nesting of Krider’s Hawk in Minnesota,’ by P. B. Peabody, “Was give in substance by Dr. _ Allen, in the absence of the author. aS **Certhia in Missouri’ by Otto | Widmann, was read by title. _ Vhe afternoon was devoted to "a paper by Mr. D.G. Elliot on ‘Domestic Pigeons and Fowls, their Origin and Races, with re- ference to the Theory of Natural Selection’. It was_ illustrated with lantern slides. _ At the conclusion of this paper the Union adjourned to meet in Dans lou. D. C., November P11 1695.” jie statistics of the Union show that there are twelve mem- - bers from Iowa, one active, eleven _associate. ‘Their names are: ACTIVE. Hon. CHARLES ALDRICH. Boone. % ASSOCIATE. ) CARLETON R. Bat, Little Rock. Harry lL. Bonn, Sioux City. _ Epwonve S. Currier, Keokuk. _ INo. V. CRONE. Marathon. ; Cart Fritz HENNING, Boone. : ALBERT I. Jonnson, Des Moines. Wm. EH. PRAEGER, Keokuk. Mrs, M. Rany, Manchester. _D. H. Tarzor. Sioux City. a OE WIEDMAN, Ames. Davin ye SAVAGE, Salem. * We are glad to hear that thcre were a large number of new members elected and that the attendance at this Congress, had not been éxceeded by any year. The Union has the dest wishes of the Iowa OrniITHOLOGIST. The Pine-creeping Warbler The authentic occurrence of Dendroica in this state, as he has not his: notes with him at Iowa City, (his home being at Davenport, Ia.) Butin the spring of 1889 a friend and myself obtained several specimens near Davenport, and in fact they were not uncommon for a short time, and I can state that I killed and positively identi- fied several specimens at that time. Ithink it has never been included in any list of lowa birds. With the evidence of J. Eugene Law (lowA ORNITHOLOGIST, Vol. 1.p.17.) aad with whatI have given I think that this species should be included in the list of Mnuiotiltide of Iowa. J. H. Brown. (The Report of the commitee on State Fauna—published in the writer cannot give notes regarding the ULLOr Sit “Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Sciences,” Vol. 1 Part 3—states that a specimen wastaken in Johnson Co. Iowa, in the spring of 1892. Specimen in University museum.—ED. ) 48. THE IOWA ORNITRULCGIST. A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Ornithology and Oology. DAVID L. SAVAGE, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER. SUBSCRIPTION RATES, 40 cts. nO setas One Year, - - - - - Single Copy, - - - - ADVERTISING RATES. Pertti ert ee Sa. BLS SO PRL ee Sow eg) oat IO Pe OUINI sl. 2: 1.70 wena 053). | Sree ee at 8 Tp C1 SRE Ter eas a eg 0 Entered as second-class mail matter at the Post Office at Salem, Iowa. Address all communications to DAvip L.. SAVAGE, Salem, Iowa. Se eon ——w We desire to extend our thanks to Lynds Jones, of Oberlin, Ohio. for the kindness of sending in his notes on the birds under sfecza/ lived at Iowa. and these notes study. He formerly Grinnell, were collected near that place during his stay there, which was we lost one of our most em siastic Ornithologists; ho we are glad to know that still interested in lowa. re C The WMidiologist is undoubt. one of the most interesting pt lications of its kind. Thess cember issue, which is Vol. 2, 4, contains six beautiful ill tions of bird lite. N. Y. writes thaton Feb. 2, 18 he will publish the initial num’ eight-page Weekly which will be devoted exclus The : scription price will be $ to Natural History. per annum. We wish Mr. Latti the greatest success possible, his new enterprize. px The notes on Zyrannide whic are published in this issue wer compiled by J. Eugene Law, Those on Alaudé by Jno. V. Crone, of Marathon le Pern; ta. la., and the notes on Tcteride the Editor, as W. W. Searl Lime Springs, Ia., did not ha THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 49 ‘time to compile them. Mr. Searles is doing a large business mi ee Laxidermical line... He anticipates taking a tripin the Dakota’s this spring, collecting birds. in April and to remain about six He expects to start early weeks. _ Weareinreceipt of No’s. 1, and ae Bole ie or the Museum, a 36 ‘page monthly magazine, edited iby W: H- Webb, Albion, N. Y. Plt is “devoted exclusively to re- seatch in Natural Science”, al- ‘though nearly one-half of these ‘numbers are devoted to ornithol- ogy. This magazine is worth ‘mutch more than the subscrip- ‘tion price, which is only $1.00 Rper annum. It will certainly ‘receive the support of all lovers of nature. - _ Guy C. Rich, of Sioux City, Ia., writes of having added a few new “names to his private list of birds found in his neighborhood. ‘The Tatest are; Least Bittern Glossy Ibis — Plegadis autumnalis. -Red-shafted Flicker . ioe — Colaptes cafer. -~Double-crested Cormorant 7 _— Phalacrocorax dilophus. Pigeon Hawk —“alco columbarius. He asks, is it common to find SE BiOLGUEUS CULTS: the Red-shafted Flicker in this state? He shot one in September 1894. It was in good plumage. (I think that this is the first record of Colaptes cafer being found in Iowa. eee 2) —de~ -— eae A New Scheme.—We have just The old year—1894—-is now a thing of Yet doubtless all of meditating entered upon a New Year. the past. us enjoy upon the maty blessings — the rare finds in the ornithological field, as well as the numberless others — that God upon us during the past year, , so bountifully outpoured ‘The old saying is (that nova shared hence pleasure is. a pleasure doubled’, the Editor’s scheme is that each active mem- ber of the I. O. A, account of his rarest find in the write an ornithological and oological field, for 1894. We want you to write the same on the back of a postal card or on a Sheet of paper,—only writing on one side of the paper-— and mail tothe Iowa OrniTHOL- ocist. before the 15th of Febru- ary. Give the article. a? short suitable heading and at the end sign your name and _ address. These articles will be published in the IowA ORNITHOLOGIST under the heading of ‘‘General Notes of Interest.” f M ¥ families, as could be desired, before the date, March 1, lowa Ornithological Association. In, the last IowA ORNITHOLO- that active memberof the I. O. A, send GIST we requested cach in his notes on the families; Tyrannidae, Alaudidae, and Lcée- ridae. Only twelve members re- sponded to this Under the circumstances it is impossible request. to give as full a report on these as twelve cannot be expected to cover “the whole field. Now we kave for special study this quarter, the families; ~Corvidae, Tanagridae, and Mirundinidac. The active members of the I. O. A. are requested to send their notes (which should be as com- plete as porsible), on all of the species of the family Corzdac (Crows, etc.) to the Editdr of this magazine, on or before the 2)th day, of February, 1895. The notes on the family /evagridae -(Tanagers) are to be sent to J. Eugene Law. Perry, Ia., on or 1895. Mr. John V. Crone, Marathon, Ia. will be ready to compile the notes lows) by the ist. of ‘Mar be sure and have your i promptly by that time. = 0m It is your eae as an look over your notes, “aa ue | and everything that you ha j RTS on these fae é approved es Council: “i active erate a fon p tion in this magazine; 21. Peter Arildson, Rock - 22. J. H. Brown, 23. Hiram Heaton, 24. Mrs. Gus Walters, ¥: Mount Plea 25. Frank H. Shoemaker, — 26. Carl Fritz Henning, If there are no objections a above named person they stan elected. : Any further informatie concert ing the I. O. A. will be, glag furnished by the Secretary. 4 extend a cordial invitation to active ornithologists in the s to rjoin our ranks. a Davip L. SAVAGE, Seam Salem, Io ‘ THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. : 51 A Peculiar Nesting Site. _ It was early during the collect- ing of the spring of 1890 that my Jattention was called to the pecu- diat nesting site of a pair of Yel- dow-shafted Flickers which I shall eo : - Ona small hill about a quarter of a mile distant from my home stood a haystack which had been ‘placed there two years prior to “the time of which I write. The “neighbor to whom the stack be- ‘lcnzed cut it through the middle and hatiled away one portion of it, leaving the other standing with one end smoothly trimmed. . Soon after the opening of the : following spring when I happen- 7 ed to pass that way Isawa pair of j - Yellow-shafted Flickers about the q stack, which showed signs of : wanting to make that a ‘‘fixed habitation. “ ~ One bright morning a few days later when passing I was greatly “amused at the efforts of one of the pair. It was clinging to the _ perpendicular end of the stack, and throwing out chipped straw from an excavation which it was bat work on at a rate to defy com- petition. ' The work on the excavation "was continued through nearly a - week. Of course it was interspers- ed with frequent romps and song and games of peek-a-boo a- _ round the fence posts, a very char- acteristic performance for Flick- * See OS ets se Rac ets which have hit on a nes ing site and are progressing in its completion. When completed the excavation was about twenty inches deep. The entrance was made eight feet or more above the ground. ‘The burrow was two and one-half in- ches in diameter and dug directly into the stack for six inchcs then turned directly dowaward aad was sligutly enlarged at the bottom. The nest was composed of chips of straw. The depositing of the eggs soon followed the comple- tion of the nest. and on the 28th of May 1890, I took a fine set of seven eggs which are at present in my collection. The pair lingered around and after the usual time deposited a second set which was taken June 14th. The birds centered about the place until autumn. During that winter the portion of stack was removed. The Flickers returned the follow- ing spring and after a brief so- joura they left for parts unknown. I never have been quite able to understand the philosophy of this nesting site, for woodland is a- bundant here. A wooded creek was less thau half a mile distant while large orchards and groves abound on every hand. Was it not sheer laziness on their part? Wit A. Bryan, —Oologist, New Sharon, Ia. “THE IOWA ORN ~ Two Rare Brrps 1n Marsearn = ~ Co., 1a.—I saw the first Mocking : _ Bird I ever observed in this Co,. rep on Sept. 3, 1894. “rare. north of 38°, Dr. Coues says although Re known to reach 42°.” The lat- itude here is a little above 42°. i _ I shot the bird and made the iden- He was in tification positive. a ar | t st -» walnut tree with in company es abouf*thirty Kingbirds, that I: et Suppose were preparing for their si “migration South. . : ‘On Gctober 10, "941 saw a ;: _ Swallow-tailed Kite, apparently Barnett migration. [his is the ‘fi only bird of this species I have i seen thisseason. ‘There was one Pas ' killed near here last year.—-A. P, - Godtey. vi Bais SAW-WHET OwL.—I should Ag like to announce the capture of a two Saw-whet Owls. Taken at up Iowa City, Ia.; by myself on Oct. - 16 and 26, 1894. These are the first records for J ohnson Co.—Paul e Bartsch. Bh On November 3, 1894, while ia ‘ot in the woods near Perry, Ia. es es was attracted by a number of ; Blue Jays that were making a Bonet racket, and upon investiga- _ tion found that they were making tis. ro : ay" eh * (ya Re ch ae ; HOLOGIST nice little alba ot en up a shell-bark hickory, he wa secured. His stomach was - fectly empty althoug in the morning.——J. ii Tin Rip-HEADED WooDPECH R —Mr. A. P. Godley, of LeGrad Ia, writes of seeing a specime tae species on March 19, 189 thinks it surely must have de: lost, as he did not see / Red-head again until in Ma » Two Rrcorps rrom Kx Iowa.— On the 16th of De ber 1892, I shot, a specimen | Junco hyemalis shufeldti on. Illinois shore, just opposite ¢ city.. It was with several ot Juncos, all, as far as Icould t of the common variety. ~~ On the 10th of November, 1 a boy brought m2aSomateria tabilis that he had shot on - ar oes eee It was “a male ; few white hati black ‘tate The stomach contained a THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. _ Brief special announcements, Sales”, inserted in this department, /ree to all Members of the be. O: A., and to all subscribers of the Iowa OrnrTHoLocist. “DEALERS” can use these columns at Regular Advertising Rates only. WARTS, EXCHARGES AD FOR SALES, Wants’, “Exchanges”, “Kor se ee ee Eins Bo) Exchange. —Skins and eggs : ‘all Al, with Full data from ae State, for such as are not in collec- > tion. Send list and receive mine. 'Paut Bartsch, 131 S., Capitol St. t lowa City, Iowa. . _ Encyclopedias.—A set of Cham- s-bers, 8 vols,, cost $16.50; a set of Johnson’s 8 vols. cost S56: and a ' set of Appleton’s 16 vols. cost $96. “1 want a camera, 5x7 preferred, or a 16 or 20 ga. hammerless shot gun ‘or offers. Send full descrivtion eowiar. you bave. J. H. Brown, 113, Prentiss St. lowa aie lowa. — | oo =! Po 4 - Wanted, —Ornithological books especially Coue’s Key, “also back ‘vols. of Oologist, from Vol. 1 to 9. Any person having the above _ please write, stating condition and "lowest cash price. David L. Sav- age, Salem, Iowa. y Exchange Notice. —Rideway’s Manual, new. to exchange for meoue's Key, latest edition. H. J. Ba ees Sabula, Iowa. Coes : skins of _ this ieality, or skins of other | localities, or for curiosities. Send 4 list. Wilmon Newell, Hull, Ia. Adtention._An Ad.in the April Towa OrnirHo.ocist. will go to ) every enthusiastic collector in the - United States. If you have any thing you wants.’ 10. sell Mor ,exchange do not fail to BP send in copy atonce. David L. | Savage, Publisher, Salem, Iowa. “Ko L C. Standard Datas 7.-= The neatest and most complete out. Bound in books of 100 each, with detachable stubs. They are sure to please you. 30cts. per 100 datas. Will exchange for desir- able and reliable sets. We wish to place a sample of these datas in the hands of every reader of the Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. Send stamp for samples. Kerr, Irons, and Co. Council Bluffs, ora. Exchange Notice.—I have the following first hee sets with data to exchange for other sets:—A. O. U. No’s. 316, 6-2; 444, 1 3; 466a, 1-3; 488, 1-4; 495; 498, 1-5 1-4; 501, 1-5; 511b, 1-3; 529, 1-3; 560, 2-3: 604, 1-4->705, 1-4: 704) 940° 45 would like to correspond with live Botanists in regard to collec- tion and exchange of named plants, either mounted or un- mounted. Carleton’ ORY). Balle Little Rock, Iowa. Make acash or exchan ge offer on a camera. Takes a photograph 2%x4. Good condition, nearly new. This is the celebrated Har- vard camera. It goes to the high- Wee ee Maycock, est bidder. Salem lowa. = on Fe » wo ee ZING al f y PESTA S TAMP “FoR ee "EN uy AS. ast. WORCESTER .MASS\O" | SKINS | a a PEW TO YOUR GOLLEGTIORS. ag ; As you may have learned, Mr. me B. eee i formerly of Brownsville, ‘Texas, is now down in the interior r Wi México, anes Bird and Mammal Skins. You also me eran iy “sicins teen among the best of ‘the present day. I have made arrangements to handle his entire take of thing in this new field, and am just beginning to get in sh ; of ied and Mammals. ye eggs will of course be taken until have never been offered before. Ss 1 append below a I: ist of Skins now on haid. Albare: ~ - liant‘plumage, much finer than we get in the North as a rule, _ -Platypsaris;agliae Rose-ithoated Becard - - -— __ Crypturus boucardi; Boucard’s Tinamou - - ay ey Trogan ambigus; . Coppery-tailed Trogan - - - seme Rupornis Griseicanda; Grey-tailed Hawk - - =" b ___Ceophtoeus scapularis; Delattre’s Pape kes - - or _ Tityra personata; Masked Tityra oe “ 2 _ Ceryle cabanisi; Texan Kingfisher - 2 s _ Sa _ Address all orders to WALTER F. WEBB, ALBION, N OS fhe OF eae Ueleen ee e ee Election of Officers. As ane foter constitution of the . O. A.makes no provision regard- ng the election of officers, it was thought best that we follow the plan suggested in Article 5 of the proposed Constitution, for this es election, Therefore, Notice is hereby given . Pitint Mee or before the - Ist. day ot May, 1895, each. active a is requested to send to the Be cety the names of members - “nominated by him for the various offices. Tien on the Ist. day of May the Secretary shall count ‘and place on file these ballots and shall send the result of same by letter to each active member as ‘ per the proposed Constitution, mec. 4 of Art. 5. And for the election of the officers, Sec. 6 of Art. 5 will be observed. The Ex. Council submit, the : following names of applicants for active membership, for pub- ‘lication; 27. A. I. Johnson, Des “Moines, 28. F. M. Roberts, Post- -yille. 29. Earl Cyril Statler, Bri- ghton. If there are no objections to the above they stand elected. Age, BLUE JAY. Cranocitta cristata. SALEM, IOWA. UNPRIL,- “1895. Our Association. The Spring has once more come with her bright sunshine, and daily, her harbingers, the birds, arrive, each migration bringing fresh life and song to the woodland and meadow. How glad our hearts and how buoyant our spirits as we take our first walks and rambles over the old- time paths, to our collecting grounds. While the snow yet lay in the woods, many of usspent days in search of 4ubo with what results, each can tell. Then came the Red-tailed Hawk, returning to the usual nest, reminding us that the time is near when we must collect “rents.” To the enthusiastic DIT ginianus Naturalist every blade of grass, every green leaf and bud tells of the approach of the collecting season, and of happy hours with our friends, the birds. But in the enthusiasm and ex- citement of the season’s collecting we must not forget our associa- tion. We organized it for mutual benefit and exchange of notes, and Iam sure no one will deny that it has been of great benefit and advantage toall of us. This, our magazine, has been improved from time to time, and although still in its infancy, it can boast of a reasonable degree of success. Our organization was nota finan- cial venture, but one of common benefit and increase of knowledge. By it, our scope of view is enlarg- ed and we are led to look beyond the narrow confines of our indi- vidual observations. Nature is broad, free, unlimit- 54 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. ed but we often regard it as nar- row, becatise we look from a nar - row stand point. By tho inter- course of our association we see things in a different light. If our methods have been good be- fore, by comparison with those of others, we become better satisfied with our own lot. If they have been faulty, we are afforded an opportunity to rectify and prove them, _ Now is the time to interest new members. Now is the time. to ‘recruit our ranks. Let us make our association a certainty, and place it on a firm financial basis. One of the ways of accomplishing this, is to make our ‘‘IowA OrnI- THOLOGIST” an interesting and desirable publicatiou. This can be done by each of us sending in our notes and observations on the birds, for in this feature lies onc of the most important points of - interest. By taking an individual inter- est we can close this, our first year, with credit to ourselves and begin a new year with the brightest prospects for many succeeding ones. ERNEST Irons, Pres. Council Bluffs, Ia. Red-headed Wcodpecker in Jackson Co, im- Latitude 42. This species is common in this county, wherever suitable loca- tions. ‘They usually nest in S . ones, poles. and sometimes ‘eget Their food is mostly i tree, ‘se hole 15 feet from wee Be: ground. This was near a farm Louse. At first the birds seem to et come raswiaee and carry corn to the nest, so the little birds: upon it. Most of the birds d not etrive in the spring, unt early in May, A few of the stragele along much earlier. have several times noted speci- mens in:March. In the autum i they usually depart about the last of September, although on a few occasions, I have seen them in iy November. the 33d. two Specimens were seen, ; Februrary 7th it was 10° below zero and a high wind blowing, one specimen was seen; and on February 12th saw another. H. J. Gippincsas Notes on The Birds of Iowa. OrpER PASSERES. Perehing Birds. SuBorDER CLAMATORES. Songless Perching Birds. Famiry CORVID®. Crows, Jays, Etc. _ Eleven of the members of the Association, from as many coun- ties, have reported on this family in our state. It is represented by three species; you will note that Clarke’s Nutcracker, reported by Carl Fritz Henning, is the first _ record of this species being found aent I rte oe ee a nae el nr i) Se ee ee Se ES in Iowa.. The first on the list, 477. Cyanocitta cristata. (Linn. ) BLUE JAY. “Resident species. Common. Nesting in trees, both in deep woods and in door-yards. Have _ seen nests in door-yards in Forest City, Clear Lake and Independ- ence, lowa. Sometimes when the nests are built near houses, the birds are considered a nuisance as they will make a great noise and fly down at a person who goes near the nest. The first set of _ eggs is laid the last week of April or first week of May and second sets are found during the whole month of June. Three, four or ' five eggs constitute a set. The THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. i515) first sets, taken early in the sea- son usually contain more eggs than those taken later. Theeggs show considerable variation in shape and color. The usual color is dull greenish with small brown- ish and blackish spots, though I have taken aset of four eggs with a light brownish colored ground color, resembling eggs of the White-rumped Shrike. A flock of Blue Jays will frequently gath- er around an Owl and make a great noise, a habit which is also possessed by the Crows.” (R. M. Anderson.) ‘‘This species is a resident throughout the year, though the larger number leave in the fall, at which time they col- lect in large flocks. The nesting seasonis May. The eggs are or- dinarily five in number, and sub- ject to great variation in shape and color. The groundcolor va- ries from olive brown or drabto a greenish tint, and the markings, sometimes blotches and sometimes small spots, range through many shades of brown. An average Size) 1S “1.1 5x. 83. Phe mest ais composed of twigs, roots, and vegetable fibers, lined with hair, placed in bushes or trees from 10 to 30 feet up. The Blue Jay does not stand as a representa- tive of the avian world; he is sly and cunning to a degree which excites our admiration, while he is so cruel that by many he is detested. I have seen him destroying eggs in the nest of the 56 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Brown Thrush and the Robin and killing the young of the Catbird,”’ (Frank H. Shoemaker.) ‘‘This truly handsome bird is a resident in Boone County the year round— nearly every day I see Lim at my suburban home and a gay fellow he is too —always saucy and noisy. My home, a mile from the busi- ness center, is an ideal one fora lover of nature and is known to my Naturalist friends as ‘‘Birds Home.” This beautiful place covers two blocks. In the orchard nest Robins, Orioles, Catbirds, Blue Jays and Wrens. In the vineyard among the currant and raspberry bushes, the Warblers make their home, with here and there a Catbird or Thrush, rarely a Cuckoo, The maple grove is alive with Grackles and their bulky nests are everywhere. Kingbirds and a single pair of Turtle Doves have taken up their abode near by. Here ina blasted maple that was struck by light- ning two years ago the Flicker has made a home and raised a nest full of hungry, noisy Flick- ers. A small creek passes diag- onally through the northern part of Birds Home, the strip of land on each side of the creek is dur- ing summer the protected home of the Meadow Larks, Bartramian Sandpiper, Horned Lark and Dickcissel. Along the hedges our favorite Bobwhite finds a suitable place to build its nest and rear its young. Yonder in that old fence post the Bluebird last year had its nest and four | The lawn is a ~ tiny blue eggs. favorite place for Robins, Thrush- es, Jays and during some seasons” of the year vast numbers of Flickers claim this ground. During winter Blue Jays are the noisiest of the feathered friends that remain to brave the snow storms and chilling winds that sweep across Birds Home. a feeding engaged in getting their multi- farious food. Sparrows and Juncos come and go. The Crows in the morning leave their winter roost in the woods near by and go to their feeding grounds, re- turning in the evening. during spring that the Blue Jays gather here in numbers, then their notes are many and various. His saucy chay, chay, chay, must be familiar to all who know him. His other notes purlhilly, pwilhilly, and chillack, chillack, are not so well known. When a boy I walked over a mile to discover what bird it was that uttered the : I must say I was rather disappointed when I found — out that the notes came from Master Jay, but there was conso-— above notes. lation in the thought that I was not to be fooled again. county during the breeding sea- the | The Hairy and — Downy Woodpecker on fine days — are plentiful in the grove busily — Tt.ase In this son the Blue Jay is partial to orchards, to osage trees along — quiet roadways; orlanes or will — y ria sn nlh Ciba ag NM oa La ae THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. | 57 nest in the branch ofa lonely forest tree, the nest is bulky, and made of twigs vegetable fibres, roots. leaves etc. One nest in my collection that I highly prize has a piece of newspaper strongly interwoven with vegetable fibers and roctlets and contains anarticle _onagriculture. Was this Jay a far- mer? Nests May and June.” (Carl Fritz Henning.) ‘This is avery - cemmon species in Marshall Co. ' making its abode here during the ) year. When food is scarce in it may be often seen about the dooryards and in spring it often builds its nest in some quiet spot near adwelling. In late summer fe tnore or less retires to the _ woods where it may remain un- ' molested until hunger again drives it tothe habitation of man. _ where it is generally unwelcome. The nest is begun early in _ April and by the second week in _ April fullsets are to be had. In this locality I find the nest to be placed rather low, more often less than ten feet from the ground than more than that distance. A thorny. bush is often chosen for a ' nesting site. The composition is various materials; commonly ' twigs, roots, rags, strings, paper, etc), lined with rootlets. Dr. Coues gives the number of cggs - constituting aset to be five or six; I have never found more than - five and often find only four. » The eggs are olive in spotted with lilac and black; spots Me ae een ed atta as Sno color, being thickest about the larger end.” (A. P. Godley.) . ‘‘Cyano- citta cristata is abundant the year round seeming more so in early spring about the cities, and in midwinter prefering woods near some farmers coru crib. Breeds in all sorts of locations. Have often seen it destroying eggs and O4 One Occasion the young of other birds, and once saw one kill a young chicken.” (J. H. Brown.) “Take Mills, Winnebago Co. May 27, ’93; set 1-4 fresh. Nest about 9 feet upin crotch of burr oak tree against thetrunk. Nest composed of large oak twigs, weed stalks, strings, paper, flaxen grass, and oak leaves, Lined with rather coarse roots, Lining from half to .one inch. thick Largest diameter, outside 12x6 inches. Greatest depth 5. In- side diameter 3%. Depth 2. Perry, Dallas Co., Abundant resident, most abundant in winter mouths. Not uncommon breeder though more retired in its breed- ing habits than in northern part of state. April 30, 94, saw. one fly to atieave trough, snatching up as mnch muddy leaves as it could carry and fly immediately to nest overhanging the main avenue of the town. May 8, Set 1-5 highlyincubated. Nest about 25 feet up in burr oak in large crotch. In woods. June 4, Set 1-4 fresh. 15 feet up in oak. Upper side of horizontal limb.” (J Kugene Law.) ‘‘Rathercommon THI IOWA er io'2) in Mahaska County though at no time abundant. There seems to be a pair for about every farm- house. Their nest is very concealed generally contains + to 6 nicely marked eggs, in every case coming under my observa- tion the nest is lined with fine dark colored roots. It may be of interest to note in this connec- tion that Mr. R. D. Goss has in his cabinet au albino of this species which was taken from a nest which contained others of the usual color. The specimen was kept asa pet for a consider- able time before it came into Mr. Goss’ collection”. (W. A. Bryan) neatly 488. Corvus Americanus. (Aud, ) AMERICAN CROW. ‘Resident throughout the year. Common. A very wild, suspicious bird, generally very hard to ap- proach, but sometimes a person can walk up quite close toa flock. Easily tamed when young. Nests in this vicinity are generally placed not very high from the ground, from 15 to 35 feet being the extremes which I have found. Nests are smaller than Hawk’s nests, and are deeper and much more carefully built. Eggs green- ish, speckled with brown, much -yariation in shape and color. Have found nests as follows; May 14, 1894- nest containing six young. Apr. 14, 1894- 4 fresh eggs, Basswood 35 ft. up. Apr. 14 s ORNITHOLOGIST. 1894 - 5eggs incubation advanced. — Apr. 14, 1894 -3 eggs and one ” young bird. May 5,1894 - 4 young ~ and one egg, burr oak 35 ft. May 6, 1894-5 eggs incubation — slight, burr oak 25 ft. up. =y (Rudolph M. Anderson. ) : “The crow is very abundant in ~ Franklin county there being no — time of the year when itis not — present in large numbers. Even the severest weather finds it with — us. During the firstten days of February in the present year, when the temperature varied from zeto to’ 30 degrees below, there was not a day when crows were not seen in large flocks. In this ~ region the nesting season extends _ a : 4 over a considerable period. pees: inte as the ast a in May, thes height of the period being about the latter partof April. The usual number of eggsina set is 5,some- _ times 4; occasionally more are laid, as I have seen several sets of 6and ae 7, andhave one of eight, taken by myself, in my cabinet. Theeggs are extremely variable in shape, size, ground-color and markings. % In my collection are eggs meas- uring 2.01 to 1.47 in length and ~ from 1.25 to 1.05 in diameter. ~ Some of the sets are of light blu- ~ ds na w wry i. ish coloration, sparingly dotted Ss over the entire surface with dark nn brown; others are of light sea- et riya green color, with the surface almost covered with heavy blotch-— ae ess ry i, z era ? a’ ‘a i= wae ee Pand \ bark, jined with THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIS?Y. es and spots of brown. The spots and blotches seem to be quite uniformly dark brown, al- most black, although the distribu- Ption over the surface is varied. _ The nest is composed of twigs, corn-stalks, leaves, tcots, wecds deeply hollowed, strongly builtand firmly placed; grass, inner bark, hair, moss, and generaliy pieces of binding twine, in this loc: lity. The height varies from 8 to 40 feet. As a scavenger the crow has no friends here, his methods - are too slow to be of noticeable : 4 Ornithological rambles. benefit. ‘Though he does away with much corn in the spring time, his continued assaults upon the cut-worm area strong point au his favor.” (Frank H, Shce- maker.) ‘The American Crow is abundant in this county and always met with during my Iu this locality it is partial to the wooded tiver bottoms, during the breeding Season it can also be found in ‘small groves, remaining during winter in the heavy timber along the Des Moines River bottoms and “vicinity. During winter, early in the morning it isa common _ Sight to see two or three, some- times large flocks of crows flying across the prairie to some favorite feeding ground, toward dusk again returning to the heavy timber where they roost in large colonies. During seasons. of scarcity I have observed that they eat large quantities of carrion. Wherever a dead horse, cow or dog has been dragged, usually in a slough, there can be found one or more, sometimes thirty and forty crows hard at work feeding. Stcmachs ex- amined have contained injurious insects, Indian corn, small grain and carrion. The nest is built in woods and groves. Of many sets in my collection 34 of them were found in heavy timber, the balance in groves. The nesting season isin March, April and May. By April first the nests are generally finished in this county. The sets collected during 93 are as follows. Set I, April 9, 1893 Ames, Iowa collected by Joe Weidman and Carl Fritz Henning. Nest in soft maple grove, 34 feet up, bird on nest. Five eggs, incu- bated, three of them are dark olive green thickly spotted and blotched with dark brown and fine blotches and dots of black; one is evenly marked, another heavily blotched at larger end, third, heavily blotched at smaller end; the remaining two are a lighter shade of olive green, blotched with light brown and few fine black dots, cihiefly about, the larwer eud i S4xisto. ieoWs 1S. TS Sack iy ool. Se aymor ipo] ova Us Ur Set ‘II, April 12, 1893 Bcone, lowa;. Nest, in large tree 35 feet up. Crow on nest, 6) THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. five eggs in set (two-broken in collecting) beautiful light ereen, two eggs fine blotched and streaked with light brown, few black blotches on larger end, the remaining one heavily blotched at larger end with brown and umber. 1.70x1.19; 1.67x1.17; 1.63 mS: pet~ 111, April 16, 1893 Boone, Iowa. Nest placed in tree 30 feet up. Nive eggs fresh, this is apretty set and shows variety of markings; one is light sea green heavily blotched at the larger end with light brown, olive brownand umber. In the other eggs the ground color is a darker green, completely blotched at the larger end with dark olive green and dotted with umber and black; the remaining three are between the light and dark eggs in ground color, but very heavily marked over entire egg with brown and umber. 1.67x1.16; Pe aletoe LOO 13s 1.68x1517. Set IV. April 23. ’93.. Boone, Iowa. Nest in white oak 15 feet up, bird on nest, five eggs fresh. This is a typical set for this county; four of the eggs are sea green thickly spotted and blotched with light and dark brown, heaviest on larger end; the remaining egg a beautiful light sea green spotted and blotched with brown and umber chiefly about larger end. 1.77x os; Lvaxiie; 1-75x1-10; -1.69x1.12. Set V. Boone, Iowa. Nest in large sea color light green, entire egg — covered with fine dots and blotches of light brown and umber. The markings of are heaviest on larger end, the — remaining one has a dark wreath — of brown and umber on the — smaller end, showing ‘a pretty ~ contrast to the light green. In ~ this county I have found the Crow _ to prefer the heavy timber along the creek and river bottoms but have also observed them nesting in groves in suitable localities, several nests usually being in one — grove. Jn May young Crows are — plenty. May 7, ’94. I found five ~ nice fellows, 40 feet up, in heavy — timber near the ‘Ledges’ 2) ums is during this time when the © glossy fellows are raising their own young, that they rob the eggs and young of other birds. During the season of 94 I took — many sets of Crow’s eggs—being similar to the ones taken in 93— _ it will not be necessary to take up more valuable space in the lowA OrniTHOLOGIST describing colors — of eggs, nests, etc. Nesting — began March 22. First set taken — April 1, 1894, in red oak ate “Ledges.” (Carl Fritz Henning.) ‘Quite abundant in Story Co., inhabiting the woods along the streams and making extensive — forays upon the adjacent grain- S fields. Also acts asa scavenger | around slaughter-houses. Nests — made of sticks and weeds. ak . THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 61 It is sometimes not more than com .05 twelve feet from the ground; however it is oftener found inthe top of a sycamore or walnut tree. Nest generally built about May Ist.” Wilmon Newell. ) “This is an abundant bird in Marshall county, and is a perman- ent resident with us. It is ganer- ally to be found in the woods, but often may be seen in open fields while searching for food. I think the Crow must destroy numerous nests of the Bob-white, as I kave observed it carrying these eggs to its young. This species seems to havea spite at the Raptores, and especially at the Owls, or at any rate it will congregate in great numbers to fight them. ‘The noise that ensues often leads the collector to find their foe und add its skin to his cabinet. On Feb. 11, 1 secured a Barred Owl that was so near killed by these birds that I knocked it over with a club. The American Crow is amone earliest breeders in this county. On March 25, 1893, I took a set, 1-4; this is the earliest date on which I have taken a complete set of this species. JI find fresh sets, commonest in this county about April 10th. A typical nest of this locality is composed of sticks intermixed with dead grass, heavily lined with grapevine bark, binding twire, bunches of hair, and corn husks. The nesting site varies in its distance from the ground according to the gen- eral height of the surrounding trees. In light brushy timber it is often not more than fifteen feet from the ground. In Marshall county I found the number con- stituting a set to be from four to six; five being the most common. The eggs are extremely variable in coloration; ranging from light blue to dark olive, and from almost entirely unmarked speci- mens, to some so heavily marked with spots and blotches of black- ish-umber, as to almost conceal the ground color.”(A. P. Godley. ) “On Junel, I saw analbino Crow, pure white in color, this bird was with a brood of young Crows, and was probably raised in the spring of 94. In this locality the Crow remains all winter, and feeds on old dead horses and cattle. They will eat anything that is flesh. They nest in Marchand April, and prefer jack-oak trees for their nesting place. I have also found a few in wild cherry and willow trees. Five eggs are most com- monly aset, but upon one occas- ion I found a set of (9) nine eggs in one nest.” (Karl Cyril Statler. ) ‘‘A common bird. [have taken six or eight nests of this species in a half days tramp, in early spring. The nest is large and conspicuous. I have always noted that the interior of the nest is made up largely of strips of grape-vine bark. The number of egzs range from four to S1X 62 2 ‘ THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. of a green shade with large coarse blotches and spots of dusky fete During the season of “901 noted inthe proximity of New Sharon a very large specimen which was marked by having a very white head. I also had the pleasure of mounting a specimen taken in Story Co. in 1882 which was a dirty white color all over.” (W. A. Bryan.) ‘‘No day in the year passes without many Crows being seen here at Glendale. Half a mile from my home, they have a roost. In March and April, and Sept. and Oct., hundreds gather towards evening. They makea great noise quarreling apparently, until they quiet down for the night; then just at daybreak they make a great clamor us they start on for their several fields of labor. During the winter and summer months as many do not gather at the roost. Sometimes they take fields of corn when it is just beginning to come through the ground. (H. Heaton)” **Corvus abundant the year around nesting pre- ferably in jack oaks or in sap- lings that have grown up tall and slender and very close together. Eggs 4 to6 and vary- ing considerably in coloring even in same set. They and the Jays seem to have a special pick at all of the Owls and delight in as- sembling and tormenting one wherever found.” (J. H. Brown. ) “Is aresident both at lowa City and are Americanus and Burlington. At the latter they congregate by thousands in — * winter, especially in the swamps just opposite Burlington; where Se they feed on dead fish, which are © found on the banks of lakes. — (Prairie slough. )Even here when in countless numbers they are quite shy and regard man as their arch enemy. Last spring I had ~ a chance to see crows attack a ‘ 4 Barred Owl. I had given the bird ~ a load of twelves from my 45 bore, which proved insufficient to kill — him. A Crow noticed him as he | flew and at once gave the alarm; if cone and with a portion of the nest projecting slightly over the opening. In the absence of any hien cliffs, the nest is placed under the eaves of a barn, or other building. It is rare that a nest is found alone, the birds staying in small flocks and building from two to six nests in close proximity to each other. Along the Rock and Big Sioux Rivers, these birds build upon the faces of high per- pendicular cliffs wherever these may be found. Have never noticed the nest of a Cliff Swal- low upon a cliff, the face of whick was less than fifteen feet high. For the last three years the Cliff Swallows have increased rapidly and they are now fully as numerous as the Barn Swallows, although they to live in harmony with each other.” (Wil- mon Newell.) ‘‘Abundant breed- seem 66 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. x er under eaves of barns. May 19, °94. Gathering mud for nests.” Ballas’ Cos) May 4th, ‘Not very (J. Kugene Law, ‘‘Arrived at lowa City, 94.” (Paul Bartsch. ) ; common summer resident. Nests under the eaves of high buildings such as flour mills, etc. and the bottle shaped nests are often so thickly placed as occupy the whole space below the eaves.” (C. R. Ball, Lyons, Co.) ‘*This species cc curs in Mahaska county, though not in numbers to compare with the more bluffy sections. At one group of barns and _ sheds I estimated that there had been in the neighborhood of a thous- and birds nested during the sea- some or. 1694," CW. A. Bryan, Mahaska Co.) ‘‘Abundant sum- mer resident but appears to be less numerous now than a few years This bird is also much bothered by the English Sparrow. All of their nests which remain attached being oc- cupied by the Sparrows when they arrive. I have witnessed several very to ago. ‘pitched battles between the Swal- lows and Sparrows for possession of the nests in which a good many Swallows were killed; but they came off victorious in the end. Nests made of mud, placed under the eaves of barns. Eggs 3 to 5, white spotted with brown | and lilac. A friend reports seeing a pure white one last summer — which remained all season.” (H. ~ J. Giddings, Jackson Co. ) 613. Chelidon erythrogaster, BARN SWALLOW. (Bodd. ) | 7 Neha me 4 a oe th ea = Sarai ial tee” heeey Wark 0) ake er en Pe r a a ee on Dae ON an “This beautiful little bird arrives of here between May 1st, and May 10, without fail, unless the season _ is decidedly backward. graceful form, and gentle confidence make them — welcome in every farm yard; and — by the 15th. of June, scarce a barn can be found that does not | Their cheerful manner ba have, highup on the rafters, the cozy feather lined, mud palace of the Barn Swallow.” (C. R. Ball) _ (Continued in next issue.) it s ba THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 67 The Hooded Warbler. A small slough running along at the foot of the hills, receiving from them their surplus water, and acting as an outlet for several ponds and small springs, further up the “‘bottom”, thenin its turn emptying into a larger slough which has direct connection with the Des Moines : The River. amount of water in the whole controlled by the stage of the _ Mississippi a few miles away. In the wet lowland, the ground is not fit for cultivation and the original timber still stands. In the higher places it has been cut away and the land is always in _ transparent _ leaves, apparently joined onto the - which corn. This leaves an irregular strip of wet woodland, in places where the giant elms, sycamore and locusts stand it is dark and shady, with little underbrush, but where the smaller maples, willows, hack- berry, etc., stand it is much grown up to underbrush, covered with wild grape, ivy and other creepers, selecting some small tree soon smother it. Then in the summer this whole woodland is covered with a growth of the y , from one to four feet high, t aking a dense tangle of smart- weed, nettles and a tall slender, weed with large main stalk without a stem, which etow in great patches in the _ darker and more shady places. Such a place is the home of Sylvania mitrata. In the center of this jungle he builds his nest; from the trees overhead he sings to his mate, while with restless energy he catches his favorite in- sects. From their arrival in May to their departure in August, they seldom wander further than the edge of their thicket. | Why should they? Their home is there, their favorite food is plentiful, while such nooks are a long dis- tance apart. They are a very active bird and in song constantly while here. In their general habits and song they resemble the Red-start, but they are more frequently near the ground than the former, and the nest is always low. As tothe date of their arri- val, May 7, is the earliest I have any record of; May 12 and 13, the next, but by the 25th of this month they are common, and soon begin selecting their mates. By the end of the first week in June they are paired, and some have selected a nesting place, ‘Really, I have seen nests complete on the third day of June, and containing eggs by the 10th of the month, but I find that the best time to take full sets is about the third week in June. The nest, on acconnt of its sit- uation, was at first very hard for me to find. You can tell little from the actionof the birds, how near you are to the nest, for while they resent your presence any- 68 where inthe neighborhood and will keep up a constant ‘‘pitting”’, they are such close setters that it is hard to start them from the nest and even then they will never flush directly from it but patois to the ground, they run alone that for a little distance, appearing again perhaps twenty yards away coming up suddenly out of the weeds witha few sharp ‘‘pits” and leading the collector to think that the nest is there. I soon found that the only way to be sure about it was to beat the whole place thoroughly, and in this way I could find several nests in the course of an afternoon. The nest is usually placed in the forks of a smallshrub standing in thick growth of weeds, othertimes in a strong weed itself, and often it is within a few inches of the ground in a tangle of weeds blown down by the storms, but never have I found it on the ground or near enough that a question might be raised about it. The nest is never in sight from above, but is always placed so that the weed tops are higher and growing above and over so as to completely shade and hide the setting bird. Isoon found that the nest is much more _ easily seen from below, and on coming a patch of rank growth that I thought contained a nest, upon getting down on hands and knees and looking around, the nests could easily be seen, as most of THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. the nest and several times she has" 4 ly silent until she appeared again the tops, and very little hidde from below, Of course this could only be done where the weeds were tall. In the low growth, I take a stick and parting the veg- ~ etation, or knocking it flat eae them. As Ihave said, they are very” close setters, and I have- had chances to examine the birds care- fully, as upon parting the leaves ~ overhead, I have found my face within a few inches of the bird on ~ stayed there a few seconds before — sliding off, to the ground, perfect- : at a distance. They are a very sensitive bird about their nest, none more SO, < for if the leaves are disturbed; or A apparently, even if they see that — you have found the nest, they will — ‘ desert it. I have found many complete, and ready for the eggs, a or with one or two eggs, and 3 without touching nest. or con- tents, have returned in a week or so, expecting to take a nice set, but always to be disappoe The number of eggs was aware : the same, or the nest empty, or again the nest was tipped partly — oF over andone or more eggs of the Cow-bird init, and the place, ie deserted. I never took a “set unless it was complete at the time found. : Ex. Council. Ky. B. WEBSTER. Votes of the active members, regarding the acceptance or re- jection of the vevzsed Constitution, must be sent to the Secretary by the Istday of May. Davip L. SavaGeE. Sec’y. General Notes of Interest. Opp NESTING oF THE BRONZED GRACKLE.— May 21, 1893, 1 took a ramble east of town across the prairie toward ‘‘Woodpecker Row’, so called because there are about 50 stumps (formerly’ cottonwood trees) now used for fence posts, they are nearly all occupied by the Golden winged Woodpecker. Going along the row, tapping with a stick on each post imagine my surprise at see- ing a Bronzed Grackle fly out of one of the hollow posts. It flew across theroad and lit ona fence post. The Flickers’ old home was lined with grasscs and mud; the inner lining with fine grasses, and hair. The nest contained five eggs, incubated; this is the first record that I can find of the 74 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Grackle nesting in a hollow stump or tree. What has been your experience?—Carl Fritz Henning. Brrvs In WINTER. The latter part of January and the early part of February was very cold with drifting snows, and the crumbs that were swept out of the kitchen were a great treat to the birds. Scores of Juncos came, and a great many Chick-a-dees, three Red-headed Woodpeckers, two Downy Woodpeckers, one Great Northern Shrike came and sat in a tree in the yard, (but I did not see it alight on the ground), one Flicker, several hundred ‘Tree Sparrows came into the yard many times; several flocks of Cedar- birds, two Turtle Doves (Ieb. 11, and 12). one Robin Jan. 3rd., and two on Jan. 6th., two or three Nuthatches, more than a dozen Blue Jays; all of them eager to to get their share of the dainties. Thirteen Prairie-horned Larks, and a large number of Crows were constantly about the feed lot. Strange to say, the English Sparrows seemed to leave during the very cold weather, but return- ed the first mild day. ‘This was the scene about my home during that severe weather.—-H. Heaton, Glendale, Iowa. “From THE DEAD THE LivING CamE.”—On June 18, 1894, while out collecting along the Iowa River, I noticed a House Wren fly from the remains of a Turtle, which was faStened by the tail to found the shell to Wren’s nest holding seven young. The flesh had decayed away, a fence post. On examining, I e SS . contain a lL leaving the cavity for the nest. — This is the first instance of such a nesting site I have ob- served.—A. P. Godley, LeGrand, lowa. . RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. The following is a letter receiv- éd from D. H.. Talber City. Iowa. Dated Feb. 7th. 1895. Dear Sir:- I am in receipt of a copy of the Iowa Ornithologist, for which please accept thanks. In looking over the notes therein, I observe that you refer to the notes given you by Guy C. Rich, of Sioux City, Iowa in which he refers to the Red-shafted Flicker, as hav- ing been observed by him in that locality, aud you in commenting Si0ts ae x) on the same, state that you think itis the first record of this bird being found in Iowa. Briefly, I must say, that while the bird is not common in this part of the state, yet it is very frequently found. Ihave observed it here nearly every season for 20 odd — years and have secured quite a number of specimens, including several hybrids, as ]suppose them _ tobe the ofispring representing the crosses between the Red-shaft ed and Yellcow-shafted Flicker. Very truly, D. H.Talbot, + THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. WANTS, EXCHANGES ARD FOR SALES. Brief special announcements, ‘‘Wants” ‘“‘Hixchanges” ‘‘For Sales”, inserted in this department, /7ce to all Members of the J. O. A., and to all subscribers of the IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. “DEALERS” can use these columns at Regular Advertising Rates only. - : -CEINESE Corns, bird’s skins, and curios to exchange for sets of _ eggs, atid mounted specimens. > F.R, Stearns, Sac City, Iowa. j Eggs of this locality and set of _ Oologist’s tools to exchange for _ eggs, books, or magazines. Fine _ ladies or gents’, 94 Model Cres- Seemt bicycle. for sale ch2.p, for fe cash. Write for further infor- . mation. W. W. Loomis, Cler- A College President writes: ‘Yor C “ease with which the eye finds the @ “word sought, for accuracy of defini- @ “tion, for effective methcds in indi- » “cating pronunciation, fur terse yet > “comprehensive statements of facts, 6 “and for practical use as a working » “ dictionary, ‘ Webster’s International’ ® “excels any other single volume.” > The One Great Standard Authority. Hon. D. J. Brewer, Justice of the U. 8. Supreme Court,writes: ‘¢ The International @ Wictionary is the perfection of dictionaries. » I commend if to allas the one great stand- 2 ard authority.” SS Sa Ses (A saving of three cents per day for a year will provide more than enough money to purchase a copy of the International. Can you afford to be without it? G. & C. MERRIAM CoO., Publishers, Springfield, Mass., U.S.A. na= Send to the publishers for free pamphlet. | ne- Vo not buy cheap reprints of ancient editions. SALTVVRBAVWOTVTVVVVWTVVUVUGVUCBTT SOTO TEUACEAVVUVTVSVWVUVTVTEVVTTUVERTECEECTCE 4 ae Faoaioneata dU lhis SNH Tfain SN i eae If jut You will have to get “one ° s of those new style of Chalcedony, Geodes from Dakota Bad lands, for .25 cents post paid. Like frost sparkling inthe sun inside. Going like hot cakes. Quantity limited. A point of Wine colored ‘Barite, Yellow Calcite, deep Rose Quartz, Gold ore, Tin ore, Towmaline, Quartz Crystal, Wavellite, for 50 cents post paid. One éach, Arrowhead, Sea bean, Pecter Shell, Rose Coral, Pentre- mite, Fossil Nut, Watch charm opera glass, and Satin Spar stick pin all post paid for $1,00. send stamp for price list _ MINERALS, FOSSILS, INDIAN RELICS, ETC. BLACK HILLS NAT. HIST. ESTAB. Of Lp eS LS L VER Deadwood, S. D. A BARGAIN. Al*seriesof .5 Sets of 3° eatkionk 5la, with data, for $1.00 post paid 5 Singles, showing: greatest var- iation 40 .cts or 10.cts each all post paid. Hd Van Winkle, Vans Harbor Mich. NOTICE I am now prepared to fll all orders for skins &c right from here. Have a fine stock of skins now on hand. Frank B. Armstrong. Alto Mira, Estado de Tamaulipas, Mexico. When answering advertisements mention IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. OPPORTUNITIES HAVE W | N GS Here is one you can catch if you are ‘‘flush” without ‘‘flushing” it. But as opportunities like this don't go in flocks, you had better NAIL THIS ONE while you have the chance. You may never see another ‘‘extra limital specimen.” ZH/S OPPORTUN/TY secures you our BEAUTIFUL PREMIUM entitled : “SOUVINER OF KARLY DAYS IN GALIFORNIA™ a handsomely illustrated booklet (many fine half-tones on heavy glazed paper) with interesting text descriptive of exciting times in the ‘‘DAYS OF_OLD, THE DAYS OF GOLD and THE DAYS, OF "485 ‘“*BULL AND BEAR FIGHT,” *‘FORT GUNNY BAGS,” ‘*THE HOME OF THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.” and many other interesting, high art pictures. This Souviner issent “REZ to all new subscribers to The Nidiologist who promptly remit, also, for a short time a copy of November nuinber, with BEAUTIFUL COLORED PLATE OF EGGS, OF WHITE TAILED KITE. The February and March numbers contain most interesting illustrated articles on the HABITS OF Tok CALIFORNIA CONDOR. Describing the recent taking of an egg, with notes, new to science on this rare species. ‘THE NIDIOLOGIST is indespensible to every live, working Ornithologist and Oologist”. Our illustrations aid Naturalists, Taxidermists and Artists. Subscription, $1.50 per year; 80 cents for six months; sample copy, 10 cents, OUR RAPID GROWTH has caused removal of our office toa larger center, so Always address, H. R. TAYLOR, PUBLISHER. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Lis ot a lt Blue-winged Teal. Anas dadiscors, 3 See SALEM, IOWA. JO es 189s, The Blue-winged Teal. The Blue-winged Teal is the most cominon summer resident of the Ducks found in this vicinity, exceeding the Maillard in numbers during the summer months. This species arrives from the South rather later in the spring than most other Ducks, and de- partsin the fall before the great- er flights of Ducks and Geese from the Northland. : Though not as handsome a bird as some of the other spec cies of the Ducks. the Blue-winged Teal is nevertheless a very fine appearing bird, with a dark col- ored head, somewhat iridescent, and a white crescent in front of thictwevene he temale tisn ect. recked and mottled with brown- ish; paler below. \ The wing cov- erts oi both sexes are of a clear sky blue and the bird is thus readily identified at sight. ‘The young of this species are hatched about-the middle of June, and the downy little Ducks leave the the shell is off Fresh eggs may be the smiddle to the last of May. ‘The nest is builton dry ground, generally not far from a marsh, or other body of water, being a slight hollow in the ground lined with and soft dark gray the Ducks breast; each tiny pellet having a light colored center, fringed with darker color, which gives the down of the nest a speck- led appearance. Indeed the down of some species of Ducks shows more variation than their eggs. nes as their backs. found from SOON as dry grass down from 76 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. A few Duck’s nests of down make a beautiful addition to a collect- ion, being of much more interest than sets of the plainly colored eQes- On the 3rd of June, 1894, some boys offered to show me a nest of the Blue-winged Teal. Though almost the exact location of the nest was known, we walked over the small area of ground several times before finding it, as the erass was about eight inches high, and the dark gray down was pulled snugly over the ten eggs, which were thus kept warm and rendered entirely invisible. The nest was on dry ground in a meadow, a few rods from a slough, and composed of fine dried grass and soft little bunches of gray down placed in a small hollow in the ground. As no Duck could be seen around, we concluded to leave the eggs for further refer- ence. The Duck was probably off recuperating, .as it was the middle of awarm afternoon, and the sun was hoteencugh to keep the eggs warm. Karly next morning I went after the nest. After walking around the mead- ow quite awhile trying to find ° hus the female up from - the nest right in front of my feet. She fluttered awkwardly along, just skimming the top of the grass. until she was about ten rods away, when Teal flew she rose up and flew out of sight. — The eggs were advanced in incu- bation. ‘They were of an elong- ated oval shape and pale buffy or creamy incolor. June 12th, 1894 I purchased a set of ten eggs which were taken the day before in Madison township, Hancock Co., Iowa. ‘This must have been « second set of the season, as the ege@s were fresh... R. M. ANDERSON. $$ +-—<1-<> + Our Boyhood Days. “Oh! for the good old days of yore”. How often we hear this quoted, and many imagine that it means when times were better, when men were better, and when the world was better. Now I am happy tosaylamno Pessimist, but an Optimist, believing that the world or the inhabitants thereof are growing better daily. Yetu that back to those ‘‘Good old days” (our édeyhood days) and imagine they were better days than now, when the stern realities of life have settled down upon us, is not | to be wondered at, for I think the Aappiest tome of man’s existence is when he has arrivedat that age when he is old enongh to romp and play, to visit the grand old woods and meadows and study Nature in all its beauties, a rollick- ing romping boy without a care to trouble or restrain him. How people should look- — THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 77 well do I recall the time when but a babe, comparatively speak- ing, I delighted in gathering the beautiful flowers, in such beauti- ful shapes, and painted such ex- quisite colors by an allwise Creator and how in after years as soon as old enough to ramble to the wood- land and watch and study His animated creatures, especially bite beam! “bitds.. Ah yes; those were happy days. Time may erase many pleasant instan- ces which have happened since, but while life and reason continue those beautiful memories can never be forgotten. When ten years of age (Nov. 1854) I moved from old Vermont, the land of my nativity. to Kingston, Wis. where I met a kindred spirit in Andrew Aiversou, ja fine) boy and a Genuine Naturalist, who was deep- ly interested in birds; but whose greatest possession at that time was his faithful dog Ring; half Shepherd and half Water-spaniel. Talk of intelligence in animals, i eally think she far excelled anything [ have ever for she would hunt anything inom -mice to badgers in the animal line and all kinds of birds and their nests upon the ground and even the fish in the water. To illustrate, we were out hunt- ing one day and on coming to a stream a big, black bass, weigh- ing some three and one-half to four pounds made an attempt Vto cross a small ripple in the met, stream, andin less time than I can write it Ring plunged in and brought Mr. Bass out although the thorns upon its back lascerat- ed her mouth so that it bled. My friend lived on a farm only eighty rods from my own home, and one-half mile from his home was the edge of what was known as ‘“‘the Big Marsh” situated in Marquette Co. (now Green Lake) between the towns of Marquette and Kingston. As I remember it, the marsh was from one-half to two miles wide in places, by some fifteen miles long, aud sup- posed by many to have been a big lake at one time, for there are localities where you could teeter the sod for several rods around and I have often taken my heel forced it through the sod and when through there seemed to be no bottom for I could run my leg down full length. how much . further 1am not prepared to say, the quagmire seemed however to be soft mud, not water, This used to be in those days fine hunt- ing grounds for boys like us and many a happy find, through the keen scent of Ring. have I taken here. Meadow Larks, Bobolinks, Rails, Ducks, Marsh-wrens; and once, (Oh! how my heart bound- ed) afine set of two eggs of the Sand-hill Crane. While near the marsh were groves and mead- ows. where we found Killdeers, Plovers, Grass Finches, Wood- peckers,, “Kobins,| Bluemidays; 78 : THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Crows, Owls, ‘Turtle Doves and Pigeons. nesting in considerable numbers. Speaking of the wild Pigeon, Passenger Pigeon, /¢/o- pistes migratoria it seems strange that a bird, once so plentiful, should have become so scarce. In those days I have seen the Sun clouded by the flight of millions of them, while later on in nesting time it was far easier to find Pigeon’s nests than those of the Mourning Dove. ‘Today eggs are priced by some dealers at 53 per egg, while if as plenty as theu I doubt if they would bring than five cents apiece. I noticed an article sometime since, where the writer claimed they only laid oneegg, but I would have to differ with him. Ihave often found one egg in a nest and also one squab or young bird, but while that is so, yet I have found two in far the greater number of cases. the same as the domestic Pigeon or the Mourning Dove. Doubtless all my readers have heard of the great (to them in- credulous numbers of them that were common in earlier days up to the seventies, of catching them in nets by thousands, of going to their roosts and killing them by the wagon loads and hauling them home to feed their swine. To boys who never saw the sun darkened by their presence for hours at a time, and timber broken down by the vast numbers roosting upon the trees I do. not more wonder they are surprised, nor would I be surprised to hear them say ‘‘Oh! what a whopper”, yet I venture to say there are those who will read this article who have seen greater sights than I, but will say that in the spring of 1863 I lived ona farm in Wabasha Co., Minn. In those days broad cast seeders were not common and wheat was neatly all sown by hand and as there was considerable wind at seeding time advantage was always taken of any calm time. One evening it being quite still my Father sowed some three acres of wheat; rising .early the next morning he sowed about two acres more and came in to break- fast. I had the chores all done and the team ready to hitch up, as soon as breakfast was over I went to the bara for that pur- pose. When I saw a sight that I will never forget; a cloud of those Pigeons had settled upon the wheat and like the rolling of a big wave atsea they were pas- sing over the field. As soon as the hinderinost ones had picked up the wheat clean they would fly to the front and‘‘down to bus- iness” again, in a way that -they kept up a constant rolllike a wave coming shoreward. I start- _edfor them as hard as I could run and scared them off; but in an incredibly short time they were there. and had completely strip- ped over three acres (about four THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 79 and one-half bushels of seed ) nota grain of wheat could we find. That Spring they roosted in great numbers on the Zumbro River near the mouth of Indian Creek, and in the morning we would see countless thousands going from and in the afternoon see them returning to their roost. k. D. Goss, New Sharon, Ia. Notes on The Birds of Iowa. OrpDER PASSERES. Perching Birds. SuBporDER CLAMATORKES. Songless Perching Birdsg Famity HIRUNDINIDAE. Swallows. BARN SWALLOW. (Continued from last issue. ) ‘Many of them prefer to nest under bridges and a team passing over a bridge so tenanted will often be followed for several miles by the swallows which eagerly pursue the small insects about the horses. On June 19. 1890, I took a set of eggs each of which had two or three large blotches of reddish-brown covering nearly the whole surface of the egg” (C. R: Ball: Lyon, Co.) ‘Rather rare. Nests inside barns and other buildings. Usually attaches nest to side of rafter. Seems to be getting scarcer each yearin this section. Season of 1894, first seen April’ 22, and last. Sept. 11.7)(ai: J. Giddings, Jackson Co. ) ‘‘Abun- dant summer resident. Builds under bridges, sometimes on the top of horizontal beams and some- tinies plastering the nest to the perpendicular side of beam so tightly as almost to defy a knife in its removal. 6-1-1794, 4% Incuba- tion advanced” (J. Kugene Law, Dallas Co.) ‘‘Appears at the first of May, and begins at once to build. Is often confused with the fonmer species. (W:. AS Binyenn Mahaska Co.) ‘Abundant in Sioux Co. Common summer res- idet in Story Co. ‘The nest of this bird is built of a few straws or grass-stems and small lumps of mud, gathered around wells and sloughs. The nest is placed upon barn rafters, partitions, or other buildings. A pair in nest- ing will frequently start three or more nests close to each other, take turns working at each fora few days, and then selecting one in particular they will finish it, lining it with soft feathers and rear their young. The Barn Swallow often builds upon the rafters beneath bridges that are constantly travelled over the nest frequently being directly overthe water. After the second 80 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. brood is hatched, small white lice sometimes appearin large num- bers and attack the young Swal- lows. These attacks are some- times so severe that the young birds in their misery get out of the nest long before they are able to fly. A person may, in a spirit of kindness, pick up the birds and return them to their nest, but in so doing he will probably transfer a number of the lice to his own person, and then his perdicament is better imagined than described for the lice industriously go to eating wherever they find themselves. Those parasites rarely appear upon the first brood, and never in great numbers. Many of the farmers destroy the nest as soon as the young birds have flown, thus compel the parent birds to build anew nest for each brood. Another parasite belonging to the Order Hemiptera, Family Acanthidae and being closely related to our own darling bed- bug, is sometimes found in old nests but it is of little moment compared to the lice. Barn Swal- lows have a habit of following nearly every team that leaves the barnyard, darting hither and thither with a speed and grace that is simply marvelous. They sometimes follow teams in this way for considerable distance, probably for no other reason than to capture the many mosquitoes and gnats whick gather around the horses.” (Wilmon Newell, Hull, Iowa.) 614. Tachycineta bicolor. (Vieill.) TREE SWALLOW. White bellied Swallow. *‘Have never noted this species except during the spring mi- gration, and then rare. The most were noted in the spring of 1890.” (W. A. Bryan, Mahaska Co.) ‘‘Not uncommon migrant” (J. Eugene Law, Dallas Co:}. = ‘Arrived at Burlington March’ 20, 1894. Arrived at Iowa City, April 7, 1894.” (Paul Bartsch.) ‘‘Common. First swallows to arrive in spring. Nests in holes in trees and stubs. Have never found nest except near water. Breeds plentifully along the sloughs gnd lakes bordering the Mississippi River. First seen in 1894, April 14. Last seen Sept. 20.” (H. J.Giddings. Jackson Co. ) 616. — Clivicola riparia. - (Linn.) BANK SWALLOW. Sand Martin. ‘Fairly common summer res- ident coming to us about May 1 st., and soon after enters upon its nidification. The holes are located in the soft clayey banks of streams, above high water mark and vary in length from 8in. to 2 feet. They are often constricted a short distance from the further end, and then enlarg- Se THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 81 ed into a spherical cavity at the end. In this is placed the soft dry grass and few feathers that serve aS a receptacle for the 4 or 5 and rarely 6 white eggs. The birds sleep in the burrows and may be caught in the early morn- ing or during the period of incuba- tion if sufficient care is used in approaching the bank,” (Carleton -R. Ball, Lyon, Co.) ‘‘Common resident in Sioux Co. wherever a bank is found in which it can build. Does not only stay along the river and large creeks but also builds in any suitable bank or in the side of a sand-pit even though the latter may be several miles ‘from any river or large stream.”’ (Wilmon Newell.) ‘‘Common. Nests from May 25 th. to June 25th. Holes generally about 3% feet deep. 3, 4 or 6eggs laid on weeds, grass, straws and hair. ” (W. W. Loomis.) ‘‘Arrived at lowa City May 3, 1894” (Paul Bartsch.) ‘‘Have never tak_n sets of this species though am con- fident that thespecies nests in the county. Occasional stragglers are woted ~each year.” (W. A. Bryan Mahaska, Co.) ‘‘Abundant summer resident; breeding in col- onies along the river bank. May ey oaeoce 1-6 tresh. May 30, Set 1-6 fresh.” (J. Eugene Law, Dallas, Co.) ‘‘Abundant. May to September. Nests in holes in banks. Most of them in this sec- tion nest in banks of creeks, some- times the holes are buta foot or two above the water and get swamped in freshets. Present from April 26, to Sept. 19, 1894” (H. J. Gidding, Jackson, Co.) 617. Steigidopteryx serripennis, (Aud.) ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. “This species and the Bank Swallow are often confused. The Rough-winged is larger however, hasa more labored flight, lacks the pure white of the under parts and the pectoral collar is incom- plete and obscured. The hooklets of the wings of the present species are only fully developed in adult TidStee. Nie Wego s) (Are. Otte sevetl in number, pure white, and closely resemble those of the Bank Swallow, but the shells are more tender, and they average a trifle Maren: 95/5 x 253. ead. Nests and Eges of N. A. Birds.) ‘Arrived at Iowa City April 28, 1894. ‘This bird nests quite com- monly in the crevices of the Bur- lington Bluffs, and is not at all rare in that locality, although it is often very hard to obtain the nest. (Paul Bartsch. )*‘Have never noted thisspecies.” (W. A. Bryan, Mahaska, Co.) ‘‘May occur though Lam unacquainted with 10272 ior Hye selects iis “eS eral eae Rough Winged Swallow’ more common than I had formerly sup- posed it to be. Here is a ‘‘stun- ner’ butatfact. On June 14.793, I found a nest ofa R. W. Swallow about 4 feet ina bank and dug in “S 82 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. to it. I found 12 eggs altogether. One had a hole in it. Four were dried down so that I could not blow them and the remaining seven were fresh. ‘There was no other hole near so am sure there was only one pair of birds at the nest. I havenever been able to ac- count for this.” (W. W. Loomis. ) ‘‘Last July while spending a few weeks camping on the batiks of a beautiful creek bordered on either side by a band of timber, traversing the prairie of Ill. 1! had an elegant opportunity to ob- serve a few habits of these birds. Although early in the season thousands of Barn, Eave, Bank, Rough Winged, and White bel- lied Swallows had gathered here prior to their’ exit. : The marshy ground on theone sideand the broad expansive prairie on the other furnished plenty of food since they were swarming with insect life. Here one could com- pare their flight, grace and beau- ty. I believe the Barn Swallow as it easily and gracefully skims over the ground excites profound ‘admiration, although the White bellied deserves equal rank. One scene Shall always be remembered it was on the evening of the 19 th. of July, 1894. I was following a little rivulet through the swampy portion in search of Rails, when suddenly I came to aspring which proved its source. small lake some 20 feet in diam- eter; clear, cool and sparkling free low, Here was a from all aquatic vegetation which covered the adjoining lakes, bounded all around by the high prairies. This was the swallow’s “Tong Branch” dozens at a time pitch into its limpid waters, shake themselves and glide on returning again and again to renew the imanuever. The air was full of them and most strikingly beauti- ful appeared the White bellied as” it would dip its white breast and pass on. ‘These, although not in so great numbers as the othess, make themselves conspic- uous by their conirastiag colors and beautiful flight. At dark vei they perch on the Iroa Weed, 1m) the prairie bounding the swamp. Five ‘te ten on a singieemeegs ” almost bending it to the ground. Here they were re-enforced daily, until August 10, 794. when. they ali vanished, that night as if by magic.” (Paul Bartsch. ) Famity AMPELIDA. 613 Ampelis girrulus. (Linn, ) BOHEMIAN WAXWING. ‘The Bohemian Waxwing is a wanderer and rare in Boone Co.,. leading as its name implies a Bo- hemian life, wandering like the Gypsies from place to place at- tracting the attention of the people who ordinarily do not notice our useful and more plain- ly colored birds. Perhaps the Creator has given these lovely THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 83 birds their roving disposition for a purpose to awaken in man a desire to know. who these hand- some strangers are (with crested head and curious flattened ap- pendages the color of bright red sealing wax, on wings and tail) finding the life and-~ habits of these birds interesting, it will cre- ate a desire to know more of our birds; tell me fellow Students, what is there that can make your heart more glad than a rainble through the woods, and o’er the fields studying the birds you love so wellin their favorite haunts. Coues, truly says of nature, “That Fairer mistress never swayed the heart of man.” (C. F. Henning.) ‘This species has never been taken by me, though Ihave accounts of it being taken in Mahaska Co. A specimen is in the College Museum: at Aines, from Story Co.”(W. A. Bryan.) “Very rare winter visitant in Jackson Co. Have seen none for several years. lormerly used to see a few nearly every winter,” (Hi. J. Giddings.) ‘‘A specimen, the only one seen in thirty years observation, andthe first I know of being taken in Van Buren Co., was taken by me March 16, 1892, It was feeding on some cedars with a flock of Cedar birds.” (Wm. Savage.) ~“these birds have been taken at Iowa City at diff- erent times, but have failed to put in an appearance the past. two winters. JI have never heard of their capture at Burlington.” (Paul Bartsch.) ‘* lhave never met itin Dallas Co.”(J. EK. L.) 619, Ampelis cedrorum. (Vieill.) CEDAR WAXWING. ‘T have at times found these birds quite common at Burlington and have also collected their eggs. On May 26, 1888 I found a nest with one egg. Not recognizing this and not seeing the owner I decided to wait for her appear- ance. This was not very long, fora flock of Waxwings soon made their appearance. Onesep- erating from the flock flew to the nest and deposited ege INony 2.0) then? ancyonmed the flock and left with them. ‘his nest and the second that I found were located in a crotch of an apple tree. All the rest were taken in willows bordering the Mississippi. The nest, in every case, avas quite bulky, composed of twigs, and lined with wool and cotton from cotton-wood trees. The eggs were always four. The food of these birds during the winter consists of apples, and the berries of the black gum, mountain ash and cedar. While caged they prefer chopped apples to anything else. They are a very sociable bird, and not of a quarrelsome disposition, as I have seefl aS many as Seven perched side by side on one little limb.” 84 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. (Paul Bartsch.) ‘Common throughout the year in Jackson county, and.a few breed here. Found a nest, ina small oak 8 ft. up, in first week in August 1891, containing two young birds. This bird isvery irregular in its movements, sometimes appearing in considerable numbers and at other times not one can _ be found. And this at any time of the year. Last fall they were very abundant until winter set in, since Which time very few have been seen’ ip) -toxthe “present.” (H. J. Giddings. ) ‘‘Common summer resident in VanBuren Co. In winter can be seen nearly every day, in the neighborhood of cedars. The first to find the ripe fruits of all kinds. Have never found its nest but have seen young.” (Wm. Savage.) “Tt is a fine morning in June; the Brown Thrashers ever charm- ing and joyous notes come from among the willows and the hedge; from the maple groves, cool and shady retreat, comes the clear notes of the Baltimore Oriole, the tiny Wrens are at their best this morning. Look! ‘There ahead of us among the cherry trees is a flock of the Cedar birds; watch them as they fly to the next tree with a regularity of movement that reminds one of our boys in blue. How graceful they are going from one fine cluster of cherries to another, why not letthem eat a few delicious cherries, they certainly taste better than canker worms. ‘The Cedar bird is common in this lo- cality, visiting Boone Co. nearly every year, and sometimes re- main to breed, but their migra- ting movements cannot be traced with accuracy; hundreds, yes thousands migrating to the south and at the same time many re- main with us intheir northern home, wandering from place to place in search of food. During the spring migration they usually arrive in Boone Co. the latter part of February. On Feb. 11, 94,4 flock of 50 Waxwings appeared at Ames Iowa, they were again seen March 4th. at my friend Weidman’s home at Ames, One specimen collected, out of a flock of 25, the secondaries had red sealing wax appendages seven on each wing. March 11th. they were next seen at the same place. Mr. Weidman says he did not observe them at Ames on any other occasion than the date above piven. On . March ‘Sthieehey were at Boone, then left and re- turned on the 22nd. In 791 Podiad not observe the Cedar bird until the Liver Wort and Wake Robin flowers had made their appearance April 5, and 14, were the dates on which Isawthem. I collected one of the twenty odd wanderers on the latter dute; no appendages on secondaries; the crested beau- ties were feeding on Cedar berries. Although arriving later than — oe = THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 85 usual this year, they remained all summer and on the fifteenth day of Jung one of my friends found a nest with three eggs and do- nated it to my collection; this is I believe the only record of its nesting in Boone Co. ‘This same year while camping at Lake Min- netonka Minnesota, I found a Cedar bird’s nest builtin a small sappling on the banks of the Minnesota River: the nest only contained one egg July 17, (two days later than the set taken by Myeiiend at my, home) not having the time to again return tothe nesting paradise along the banks of the Minnesota River, I left the nest aud egg for a more fortunate Oologist. The only record I can find for ’92 is Feb.20._ In 1889 two Cedar birds were sentto me for my collection from Carroll, lowa.” (Carl Fitz Hen- ning. ) This is a very beautiful bird appearing about the 15th. of February in our county, in flocks, ranging from a dozen to thirty. They feed on the red Cedar berries. and are quite friendly. Have no authentic account of it nesting in Mahaska Co. (W. A. _ Bryan.) +> ——— BLUEBIRDS. It has been stated that the number of Bluebirds returning from the south this year is unusu- ally small, In order to ascertain the cause of this great loss, a letter was sent to Mr. R. Ridg- way, curator in the Department of Birds, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, asking what had become of the Bluebirds. Mr. Ridgway is not only scientifically interested, but he has a wari humane regard for all bird-life. He has sent us the following let- ter, with a pathetic description of the sufferings and death of our beautiful songsters:— It affords me pleasure to answer the questions concerning the des- truction of Bluebirds for. the market in Washington and by the so called ‘*blizzard” of February last. Regarding tke killing of Bluebirds for the market I have no reason to believe the practice has been discontinued. As many as two or three hundred have been seen at one time in the game- stalls, though not publizly expos- ed. | In fact, being carefully plucked, the species could not be identified except by a person very familiar with birds. The past winter was one of wide-spread disaster to bird-life, particularly to those kinds whose food consisted in large part of insects and small fruits or berries. The insect-eating species were, of course, deprived of their food supply by the direct destruction of the latter. The berry-eaters, on the other hand, were deprived of their food by the heavy snow-fall 86 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. which covered it. Such at least was the case with the Bluebirds in this vicinity. The Bluebird winteréed about Washington in larger numbers than I ever knew it to before, no less than twenty- one individuals making their headquarters on my little half-acre in the suburbs, doubtless because of the shelter afforded by an eight- roomed bird-house; also, on ac- count of a supply of berries produced by the hedge of Japan honeysuckle which partly enclosed the place. Just before the bliz- gard of February 7 to 9 (inclu- sive) the supply of these berries was exhausted. February 10, I picked up from the snow in my yard seven dead Bluebirds, which had evidently died of starvation their stomachs being completely empty and their bodies greatly eniaciated, Not a living Bluebird has been either seen or heard by me in that section of the dis- trict since that time, though I have been told of a very few being seen by persons living farther from the City. During the latter part of February or the early part of March, while I was absent in Florida, the English sparrows took possesion of my bird-house, and, in order to make room for their nests. were obliged to re- move the dead Bluebirds which were inside. They actually drag- ged out nine, dropping them to the ground beneath. On April 2, observing that the sparrows were building in the box, and being sure there were no Bluebirds about, I cut down the pole. Examining the box I found two of the compartments occupied by Sparrows’ nests, and from three of the remaining extracted five more dead Bluebirds, one hole containing three. Thus, in all, twenty-one Bluebirds died from starvation on my place alone; and I have no doubt that the des- truction of this species has been very great throughout the region affected by the great storm, or, at least, where the snowfall was so greatas to cover the greater part of their food supply. Farther South, where there was less snow and a greater abundan- ce of berries the Bluebird escaped. I found them very abundant in Florida, although swallows and other essentially insectivorous birds had died of starvation in numbers. I am_ satisfied however that the Bluebirds there observed are residents (they were evidently nesting, or about to do so); and, consequently we cannot have our Northern stock replen- ished’ from that source. There are, however, a few left through- out the Middle States; and there- fore unless these few survivors perish before they have a chance to breed, we may reasonably expect an increase which will in due time restore the species to its normal numbers, —C%ristain Reg- aster. great are Bi ee rvs) wo es a ae ee Ornithologist. ' very commendable. THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 87 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. President, Chas. R. Keyes, Mt. Vernon. Vice-Pres., R. M. Anderson, Forest City. / Secretary, J. Eugene Law, Perry. Editor-Treas. David L. Savage, Salem. Report of the Secretary of the Iowa Ornithological Association for the year ending June 15, 1895. The growth of our Association has been steady, though not rapid. With the close of the year our roll shows a membership of 36 Active, 8 Associate. and 2 Hon- orary members. The revised constitution (as @pblished in April ¥i. O.) has been accepted tor the J.. O. A. Each quarter we have taken up certain families for special study, and the notes the members sent in were published in the Iowa I think that the work done in this line has been Now, as we enter the second year, that our success may be assured ‘Let us then be up and doing With a heart for any fate; - Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.” Wioucs it the work. Davin L. SAVAGE. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. JUNE, 1895. Of the 36 members entitled to vote only 16sent in their ballots, For PRESIDENT. @laswalx. = Keyes; 9 Ernest Irons. 6 VicE PRESIDENT. Rudolph M. Anderson. 9 Carl Fritz Henning, 6 SECRETARY. J. Eugene Law. 9 W. W. Loomis, 6 EDITOR-TREASURER. . B. Webster. 1 David L. Savage. 1S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. Carleton R. Ball. 9 Wm. A. Bryan. y) Wilmon Newell. 5 John V. Crone. 10 H. J. Giddings. 3 8 F.. H. Shoemaker, 7 Mr. David L. Savage. who had the electionin charge, forwarded to me each original cast. I find his figures correct. Signed:— Cuas. R. Keyes. 88 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. THE [OWA ORNITHOLOGIST A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Ornithology and Oology- DAVID L. SAVAGE. EDITOR AND PUBLISHER. SUBSCRIPTION RATES. One: Yeateroa) so 3. .” =) 40 cts: single Copy, -- - -) 10 cts: ADVERTISING RATES. ACSER Ve Nites 5 E1) oS ARR ope: ETCH ES ty ame eh s. cee Oe PeRCOl Mimi is leh ne CC A aD PV COVMTAE (rept rE ee. ss Oo OOD RPARC 0: See eee cy ee. SOU Entered as second-class mail matter at the Post Office at Salem, Iowa. all communications to Davin L. SAVAGE. Salem, Iowa. ee IN CHURCH. Address Just in front of my pew sits a maiden— A little brown wing on her hat, With its touches of tropical azure, And sheen of the sun upon that. Through the bloom-colored pane shines a glory By which the vast shadows are stirred. But I pine for the spirit of splendor That painted the wing of the bird. The organ rolls down its grand anthem; With the soul of a song it is blent; But for me, I am sick forthe singing Of one little song that is spent. The voice of the curate is gentle; ‘‘No sparrow shall fall to the ground;” But the poor broken wing on the bonnet Is mocking the merciful sound. —Selected. The notes on Jlzreontdae and Lantidae were not published. in this issue, as not enough of the members sent in their notes on those families to warrant their publication. Let us make a special study of these two families the present year, as the various species are very easily confused; and at the end of the year we will call for a report of each members observations, and shall expect a very complete report. Mr. R. Ridgway of, Smithson- ian Institute, Washington, D. C. writes that ‘‘The Bluebird is not regularly migratory south of about the 40th. parallel and frequently remain during the winter—severe ones not except- ed—both kere and in localities of corresponding latitude in the Mississippi Valley. I have never known it to be so numerous here at any season as during last winter prior to the great storm.” THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTY. 89 We will be glad to meet any of the fraternity at the First Annual Congress of the I. O. A. to be held at Iowa City, Iowa. August 22, 23 95. TheCongress willbe held in the Zoological Lecture Room of the State University. Come and you will be made welcome. I will state here that it is very important that every member of I. O. A. should attend the First Amnual Congress of the associa- tion, which will be held at Iowa City, Aves: 22,-23. 1895. in the Zoological Lecture Room of the State University; as it will be of the greatest of value for us to be personally acquainted with our >o-workers; also there is Some important business to attend to, hence we need a full attendance Let each one of us strive to be present. NOTES AND NEWS. The seventeen year Cicadas afe etljoying the resurrection of life, this summer. Have you Heard ’em? EK. B. Webster has some of the finest photos of birds, we have ever seen. We recommend them to anyone desiring anything in this line. First annual congress of I. O. A. will be held at lowa City, lowa on August 22—23. Be sure and make arrangments to be present. Fred W. Stack, of Poughkeep- sie, N. Y, keeps on hands a large collection of instruments and sup- plies for the Naturalist; birds- eggs, etc. It would pay you to send for his catalogue. See ad. on first inside cover page. Walter G. Savage, of Hillsboro, Ia., feels proud over securing a female specimen of Gray Star Buzzard, on May 25, 1895, in Van Buren Co. Ia., near his home. The Naturalist and Collector of which No. 1 appeared in June, is the latest aspirant for success. This number is very interesting and contains much valuable in- formation. It is published at Abington, Illinois, by Shoop Pub- lishing Co. Mr. and Mrs. Fred R. Stearns, of Sac City, Iowa, are rejoicing over the advent of a young nat- uralist in their home on June 6 th. 1895. A late and highly prized ad- dition to my private Collection— is a tanned Rattle Snake skin; 6 feet in length, with thirteen rat- tles and a button. Captured at Enterprise, Florida, in a cabbage patch. Donated to the C. F. H. by Mrs. Fred L. Paine of this city. —Carl Fritz Henning. The IowA ORNITHOLOGIST is pleased to note the marriage of Mr. Russell E. Bartlett of Rock- ford, Ill. to Miss Lucile Peck; which happy event was consu- mated in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the evening of May 23. Mr. Bartlett is well known to the col- 90 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. lecting world, having been an enthusiastic collector of and dealer in Natural History specimens for the past 15 years. Mr. Bartlett is editor and publisher of the Farmers Monthly a successful agri- cultural journal, of large circula- tion and influence. W. W. Searles, Lime Springs, Iowa, writes; While fishing the other day I saw a fine specimen of the Swallow-tail Kite but he did not come in range of my shot gun but just far enough away to be healthy for him. It is the first I have seen in this locality for four years. Five years ago I shot a fine specimen and mountedit. In May the spring of ’88 for three days they were very abundant, but this was the first time I observed them, since then; however they have been very rare only seen 3 specimens since that date. Two years ago an Albino Robin built its nest just about four rods from my gallery door and within 10 ft. from passers on the side walk, thought I would not disturb him and see if the young would be the same but I moved my gallery and was not able.to watch them; he was notall white but marked like the Belted King-fisher. He left us as misteriously as he came. I looked for him back the next spring, but he did’nt come back. i BIRD MIGRATION. 1894—’95 COMPARED. In studying bird migration this spring in this County (Jackson), as compared with last season, tworemarkable features present themselves; first the lateness of the arrival of the early migrants, except Ducks; and second the scarcity of some of our common species. I find that migration commenced about twenty days later in 1895 than in 1894. but afterward gradually caught up and the latter part of the season was in advance. The arrival of species the lust few days of April were about the same both years. I give the dates of the arrival, of a few of our common species, for each year, this will show the com- parison at a glance. 1894 1895 Flicker, March 2, March 29 Blue bird. eas. ae am Robin, ea a ss 21 Meadow Lark, ‘‘ 5 at ee ar Red- winged Blackbird, ‘‘ 6 bay I). Chewink, °S. . 8. Aggies Song Sparrow, ‘* 9 March 31 Fox Spatrow, °° 13: fae Pewee, 2 nr EF ere 2 Chipping Sparrow‘‘ 18 April 5 Vesper Sparrow, *‘ 22 “4 1 FieldSparrow, ‘‘ 23 ¥ 3 Purple Martin. April 7 3 4 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, ‘‘ 13 bead | THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 91 Cowbird, sia UE 8 White-throated Sparrow, (> Sh7 Ha 128 White-bellied Swallow, ‘‘ 14 Sere 0) Brown Thrush, Seem lee Pre nel Whip-poor-will, ‘23 ‘* 24 Bank Swallow, peo. eS Oven bird. ee Sa BDO) Chimney Swallow, “28. ‘* °30 King bird, eS 429 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Bee ie en OS Wood Thrush, 0) May, ) 3s Olive-backed Thrush, May 3 Tee a: Cat bird, April 30 Sala: Indigo bird, May 3 eA Baltimore Oriole, ‘' 4 Melt Orchard Oriole. Bo), 5) a 4 imedeemedyireo, °° 6. * S Scarlet Tanger Sob. (Shae 1 Redstart, ume“ S 4 G2 ‘Tennessee Warbler, lu ‘ Chestnut-sided Wiemrplers- *Susb@:. —** 3 Yellow-breasted Chat,i2 ‘ 8 Night Hawk, Seg * 3 Wood Pewee, Gh. Gos (eae eeeairaa La Wieolimo Vireo 4 9 8 1) Of the common species that are scarce this spring the Blue birds are the most noticable, asin fact they may be classed as one of our tate birds: Wp.to the 19 th. of May, I had only seen four spec- imens, but on that date I found a nest with four eggs. Some- thing destroyed this set, however, the pair stayed about and now have a set of five eggs in the same nest. It istobe hoped they will not be molested this time, that they may help bring back this species to its former abundance. Next in scarcity was the Yellow- rumped Warbler; the first one was seen this season May 5th. nineteen days later than last sea- son, and I only noted ten speci- mens throughout the Spring migration. The Wood Pewee is very scarze this season, though notas scarce as the two former species. They are usually quite abundant. H. J. GIpDINGS. >_< <> > A Favorite Place. Inthe southern part of Van Buren County. Iowa, is alittle patch of about three acres of hazel brush and other under- erowth,on three sides of this brush is considerable timber and on the side is an open field. Nearby isa small creek; thus making a _ para- dise for birds that like such sit- uations. On May 18, 1895, two of my friends and myself had oc- casion to pass through this thick- et. Itis perhaps 60 rods long, and in going this distance, through the heart of this paradise, we found;— : Six nests of Yellow-breasted Chat. Two nests of the Field Sparrow. One nest of the Brown Thrush, White-eyed Vireo, and Chestnut- sided Warbler. How was this for a short walk? Dias: 92 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. THEEFiks = Annual Congress OF THe IOWA ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, TO" BEHELD aam IOWA GITY IOWA. PROGRAMME, AUGUST 22—23, 1895. Thursday, August 22, Afternoon. TWO O'CLOCK BUSINESS SESSION. President’s Address. Reports, Planning of next years work, etc. Thursday Evening. 8 O'CLOCK. PUBLIC SESSION. Invocation. Address of Welcome. Prof. Schaeffer. Pres. S. U. I. Response, Chas. R. Keyes. Paper, A True Naturalist. C. R. Ball, Little Rock. _ Paper. American Duck Hawk. Geo. H. Burge. Mt. Vernon. Paper, The Goatsucker family in Iowa. R. M. Anderson. Forest City. Friday, August 23, Morning. 8.30 O CLOE€K, Birds Extinct in Iowa, and Those Becoming So. Paul Bartsch, Burlington. Paper, Bird Laws of Iowa, and Laws That are Needed. J. H. Brown, Davenport. Paper, The Cowbird. F. M. Roberts, Postville. Papers, The Relation of Birds to Econoniics. (1). The Ducks: H. J. Giddings, Sabula. (2) American Crow. Hiram Heaton, Glendale. (3) The Thrushes. kK. B. Webster, Cresco. Protection of Our Birds. W. W. Loomis, Clermont. Paper, Paper, Friday Afternoon, TWO O'CLOCK. Paper. Warblers of Iowa. Morton E. Peck. Mt. Vernon. Paper, The Prairie Hen. A. I. Johnson, Des Moines. Paper. The Ruffed Grouse. David L. Savage, Salem. Paper. Sea Birds That Visit Iowa. F’. H. Shoemaker, Hampton. There will be time for Discus- sion after each paper. The papers. should not be more than 20 min- utes long. THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 93 My Life History. The 12 th. of July, 1895, being tather stormy and I had just had anice young chicken for lunch, after eating a good breakfast of rabbit and ground squirrel; thus having satisfied my appetite, I thought I would try my literary talent and write an article for this magazine on Accipiter cooperi, (as the scientific men have termed it) of which I am one of the num- ber. My birth-place was in a white oak tree, 25 ft. above terra firma, the nest of sticks and twigs was not any to large to hold the four young inmates. his home was in southern Iowa, in the County of Henry, 1 think. Time rolled on; I became a full fledged bird, and had successfully taised two broods, however just as my mate and I had built our third nest and it contained four blue eggs, ayoung fellow came along; he had with him what he called a collecting can, he saw the nest and atonce began climbing the tree (making one almost believe in Darwin’s theory, ‘‘That men are monkeys with their tails rub- bed off,” ) soon. he was up to the nest and packing our pretty eggs in his collecting can. ‘This oc- curred the 13th. of May, 1893. After inquiring who the Egeg- hog (as we called him) was, we found that he went by the name of Savage. Little did I (leaving off we, as I have not consulted my wife’s opinion) think that he would ever be an Editor of a bird magazine. The last twoseasons he did not 93 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. find my nest until it contained young birds, and he was not heartless enough to molest them, so we are'on better terms now, than we once were. I have a picture of my humble personage. that was drawn by the hand of one of the genus Homo; it does not resemble me much, as Iseldom get into such a dig- nified position; nevertheless, I will enclose it with this article and if the Editor thinks best he may place it in the magazine. Next a few words about my an- cestors, orrather, what has been written about the species of which I am a specimen. That noted Ornithologist, Alexander Wilson, confused me with my near kinthe Sharp-shinned Hawk—the idea I am any amount larger than Accipiter velox, if we are dressed nearly alike-—but then of course we must not condemn Alexander because he made a little error like that. It was early in the nine- teenth century, through the care- ful observations of William Cooper of New York, that we were found to be a_ seperate species from Accipiter velox, for this reason we are destined to carry the name, Cooper’s Hawk, to the grave. The accusation is sometimes brought against me, that I visit the poultry yard and disturb the fowls, the farmers have given me the name Hen Hawk. Ido occasionally catch a young chicken, but they are only little fellows that would eat their heads off before they would be large enough for the pot; hence I plead not guilty of any criminal offence. May the readers of this magazine always speak a kind word for me. ACCIPITER COOPERI. THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST, FOR THE STUDENT OF BIRDS. “Tf thou art pained with the world’s noisy stir, Or crazed with its mad tumults, and weighed down With any of the ills of human life; If thou art sick and weak, or mournest at the loss Of brethren gone to that far distant land To which we all do pass—gentle and poor, The gayest and the gravest, all alike— Then turn into the peaceful woods, and hear The thrilling music of the forest birds.” —J. McLellan. VOLUME It. SALEM, IOWA. DAVID L. SAVAGE, PUBLISHER. 1896. ‘ ‘ HH.) BURGE. Paper read before the First Congress of LOW 2A. O doubt there are but few here who have not read at some time, in some of the numerous books on ornithology, a state- ment which reads like this: ‘‘The Peregrine Falcon, or Duck Hawk, is distributed throughout North America at large, though it can hardly be called a common resi-— dent anywhere.’’ The eggs of this — hawk are found in but few of the — private collections in this country — and consequently the average col- — lector is not very familiar with these birds and their habits. It 4 has been my pleasure to collect three sets of eggs of this hawk | and to aid in the taking of an- By the request of Pres. — Keyes, I will endeavor to give a . brief account of this hawk’s habits, as I have observed them. a and will also give a few of the distinguishing marks, so the bird — can be readily identified. cat other. = Sets Sean The: Falco can be easily dis- tinguished from the rest of the — family Falconide by the toothed beak, and the Duck Hawk from. a any other bird in North America — by the slaty-plumbeous or ipathes of the upper parts, the Oh ~ " in, one from the corners of the mouth downward, and its large” feet, the middle toe being very large. It is eee Leas al pa iy ae color black black angle “mustache,” “4 pabela feathers extending a medium sized hawk; Coues gives the average | of a female as length 19 inches, taili7 inches;! extentaaton wing | v8 14.50 inches; the male being | smaller. : i IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. The breeding hawk includes Canada, Alaska, Greenland and all of the United States with the possible excep- tion of the southern part of our dominion. It is a migrant, being found only during the breeding season in the northern part of its range. In its journey northward it generally follows the river courses or rather the course taken by the ducks in their migration; for range of this they enter largely into its bill of fare. With the possible exception of the American Gos Hawk, it is the most audacious of our birds of prey. It is regarded with dis- favor by hunters and they never lose an opportunity of shooting at it. Isay shooting at it; for they don’t always kill it when they seem to have an opportunity. There are some reasons for this, which may be briefly stated. It is a compact bird, its flesh being very tough, more so than the proverbial boiled owl. Its flight is so rapid the hunter is apt to Shoot behind it, and its tenacity of life being wonderful, unless a wing be broken it will fly as long as life remains in the body, and it has been known to sit ona limb after it was shot through till life was extinct. This hawk is quite a persistent 15 hunter and moves over a con- siderable territory ina short space It seldom soars, in fact, It seems of time. I never saw it sailing. to see everything near it when it alights upon atree, which tree is usually a dead one that com- mands a view of quite a bit of territory and if it happens to be hungry, woe betide any snipe or bird that comes within its range of vision. I never saw this hawk capture anything larger than a snipe or flicker, though a nephew -of mine who has hunted and col- lected with me since I have been engaged in the pastime (I don’t call it a business) has seen this hawk capture a teal duck. I never saw the hawk when it was devouring its victim, though I have tried to get in sight of it several times. Audubon says it flies with its victim to some con- venient spot and alights, turns its prey on its back, and with its beak, plucks the feathers from its breast, then tears out the meat swallows it, leaving the refuse, but if it is a small bird and the hawk is hungry, it will eat that also. Fish eyes and scales have been found its stomach which show that these enter into its bill of fare. It is not a fisher and the conclusion was that they were parts of fish and in 16 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. that had died and lodged on the bank. The spot on the Cedar river, selected by this hawk for a nest- ing place, is an ideal one, and I will go into detail to describe it. About fifteen miles below Cedar Rapids the Cedar river flows for about two miles between bluffs of lime stone, these bluffs vary- ing in height from twenty to one hundred feet. Just before the bluffs begin there is a broad bot- tom land along the river, dotted with numerous small ponds, and Big creek and Indian creek enter the river through this bottom. In times gone by, or within the last ten or twelve years, this bot- tom land was a great feeding ground for ducks during spring and fall migration, and a con- siderable number nested there. If this hawk selected this nesting place a number of years ago, which I am told was the case, it was an ideal one. I have been told by lived along the river for about an old hunter who has twenty-five years that there has been a pair of these there ever since he has been there. There is seldom more than one pair of these hawks found in one locality. For a few years before I collected my first set of eggs of this hawk, they had nested and reared their young, and flown away but in the spring but one pair of hawks returned. I never heard these hawks make any noise while they were hunting, but when it returned from hunt- ing, after nesting had begun, it usually lit in a dead tree across the river from the nest and set up a great cackle when it would be joined by its mate. Then they would both get in the tree and utter their peculiar cry for a while, then one would return to the nest and the other would fly off up the river. I sometimes thought it was a different one that . returned to the nest, but. was not positive. Col. Goss says that as far as noticed the male sits upon the eggs in the fore part of the day and the female in the latter part of the day. The onegem duty sometimes feeds the other, but usually sits perched in a tree : as aguard. I have noticed that in the greater share of its time a con- siderable distance from the nest: have watched for two hours at the one off duty puts a time before seeing the other than the one on the nest. Then I would see the other one com- ing from a distance—always from. the direction of the bottom lands before mentioned. It would alight and sit’ awhile, then fly IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 17 i away again. It was quite hard to flush the one sitting, if the other one off the nest was not around, but if it did fly off, it screamed and flew around high in the air and it would not be long till the other one could be seen approaching. » Hither they have quick ears or keen sight as there would be no bird in sight when it was flushed. After the young were hatched they were both usually found ‘near the nest when not hunting and if any one approached they set up a great noise and contin- Ueda we tll the disturbers had passed their nest a considerable distance. They are at this time quite bold and could be shot without much difficulty. These hawks usually arrive here about the middle or last of March and begin nesting about three or four weeks later—there Seaman to, be no iixed time. I took my first set of eggs of this hawk the 28th day of April, 1892. It was a set of four and incu- bation ienenest was in a hole in the face of the bluff about eighty feet from the water and twenty feet from the top of the bluff. the nest by means of a rope. had begun. I went down to There was a very little sand and eravel in the hole and the eggs were laid on it, there being no The second set was of three eggs and was taken on the 27th of May, 1892. hawks and in the same place as When this set was taken the bird did not leave resemblance to a nest. It was the same pair of set number 1. the nest till I was almost down to it, although the other one was screaming around and darting down close to me. In the year 1893 they made their appearance quite early and their eggs were hatched before | They nested in the same place that they did in 1892 and reared four had time to collect any. young, two of which were shot” before they left the nest—the other two flew away some time later and I saw no more of them that year. During the year 1894 I took a set of four eggs on the 20th day of April, or rather it was taken by my nephew, J. Russell Moore, who was with me. In this instance we could not flush the bird by halloing, whistling or throwing stones at the cliff and it did not leave the nest till Mr. Moore had dropped down directly in front of the nest, then he could have caught in his hand but he had had some experience in handling a live hawk handed, so he did not attempt bare - 18 its capture. These there for a couple of weeks, then it became evident that they were nesting again. We have a friend in Cedar Rapids by the name of Bert Bailey who was hawks flew’ around very desirous of securing a set of the eggs of this hawk so we in- vited him down when we thought the set was complete, and he took a set of three which he now has in his collection. This was the second set taken from those birds that season and these eggs were taken from a new nesting site, which was in the same cliff, but about forty feet below the first nest. The hole was about three feet deep, sandy clay, in which the birds had scratched a slight depression and deposited their eggs. A pair of hawks, presumably the same, nested at the palisades again this year, but in a new place. I located them in the early part of April in the same cliff they had nested in a year before. and contained some There is a lime-kiln in course of construction near the old nesting site and I think the continuous noise there caused them to leave the immediate neighborhood. I did not go to ‘look for them again till about time for them to have a full set IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. of eggs. I went down to the old nest, but it was deserted, and I did not locate them in their new quarter, till the young had just kicked out of the shell—the youngest chick being not quite dry. They had nested about a half mile below the old nesting place on a ledge about fifteen: inches square and hid by a bush. The ledge was about twenty feet from the top of the bluff and thirty feet from the water. The young were all killed before they could fly very much, but the old birds escaped and -I hope to re- cord at least one set of this hawk’s eggs in the year 1896. . Yon can see how persistent they are in returning to a favorite nesting place after they are con- tinually robbed. We can not but admire the ~— swift flight of this hawk. The valiant courage with which he drives away any interloper from his favorite hunting ground; the fortitude he displays in returning to a favor- ite nesting place though contn- ually robbed and harrassed, and beautiful eggs which add beauty to any col- and persistence particularly the lection, but we have no grounds to defend him when judged from | an economic standpoint as he is - not known to destroy any ro- \ IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 19 dent or bird or snake or lizard, insects or worms, that will make him a benefit to man and I fear he will not be considered a bird that should be protected by law. Dick. E. B. WEBSTER. ICK wasa plover, a pet plover, sprightly as a fairy andtame asa kitten: Twas the last of July, some ten years ago, that some sharp-eyed boys spied him as he was running about in the meadow searching for his even- ing meal of fat, juicy worms and dainty bugs. nature’s gift of concealment than Trusting more in in his strong was easily captured and ere long I made his acquaintance. I have had—we nature-loving people have all had—many pets, herons, wings, he eagles, » hawks, owls, crows, and numerous smaller birds, as well as a fair variety of mammals, but never had I heard of a tame plover. That a bird so timid, ‘so extremely wary as the plover we hunt in the fall, could become the tamest of pets, seems incredible. And yet in a week he would come at call and eat from my hand. I took him home, and spread- ing some paper in a dark corner under -a_ bed, introduced him to his new quarters. Here he spent most of his time, usually stand- ing in a shallow dish of water. But when all was quiet, out he cautiously came, running a few steps at a time, then stopping: to listen, when at the slightest sound or movement he would scurry back under the bed. If all con- tinued still, he explored the walls and corners, catching many a fly and) stray. spider.) ailis, esr moved so swiftly, he seemed to glide rather than to run, and al- most quicker than the eye could follow he would be at the other side of the room where he had de- tected a fly on or near the floor. We fed him some insects, but mostly earth worms, nice long fat ones, a handful at a time. Step in at the front door, call “Dick Dick! yand in. aque he had run through the inter- vening rooms and was right at hand. Always hungry, he would eat until his crop was a wriggling round ball and, likely as not, the ‘last worm would only go half way down, even'as, with extended neck, he put forth his utmost efforts to swallow it. In fifteen minutes at the most he would be ready for another meal. The most peculiar thing I ob- served about his habits was that 20 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. when perched on one’s hand, he always maintained his head on the same level if possible.» Lower the hand, and the neck and legs would gradually lengthen until he stood ten or twelve inches high; raise the hand and they short- ened until he was almost a little ball of feathers. chicks, have occasionally picked up in Dakota, His musical whistle, Little plover a few days old, which I would not do this. never too loud, was given very frequently at times, and certainly was as sweet a note as is ever uttered by any bird. - November approached, and as he would eat no meat, no matter how juicy, or how finely shredded or chopped, and could not be obtained in as ‘‘anglers” the winter, we finally took him out on the prairie and gave him his liberty, hoping that in a warmer clime he might live on the fat of the land, and knowing that he had ample reason to be thankful for having so ‘‘wormed” himself into the affections of the amateur’ taxidermist. The accompanying illustration was taken in a photograph gal- lery where the large sky-light and and strange faces and surround- ings made him more than usually timid and, though his head and we were fortunate in doing ‘so well. The picture speaks_ vol-_ umes for his extreme tameness; — the dark corners of the room or — the bright sky-light above would. have been too much for its suc-— cess had he been evena shade | less confiding. God’s Wisdom in Concealing. HE idea that God displays His wisdom in revealing is a_ familiar one, but we are less ac- | customed to think of His wisdom — as manifested in what he con-— ceals. Yet, if we reflect upon it, /! we must see that there is great — truth in the proverb, ‘It is the glory of God to conceal a thing. - We may apply this principle to. q the method of God in nature. — Suppose the secrets of nature had ~ all been revealed to man at the — Who can doubt that pa would bea great misfortune? One — : of the greatest powers for the — outset. progress of the human race iS, found in the skill and acumen which the study of nature’s se-_ crets has developed. In making — enough of nature plain to ane investigation, and in concealing enough to challenge and train — the intellect of man in the search, | and to impress the imagination, yar: im re te ¥ Cd 4) Be u \Oxy , 7 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 271i the Creator has supplied the strongest incentive to progress, and the most impressive proof of His wisdom. The discovery of what was concealed has a stimu- lating and elevating effect upon the mind. It isno extravagance, therefore, to say that it would have been a great misfortune to the race had the secrets of na- ture which science has thus far disclosed, been make plain to men at first. It was better that the world should do without the knowledge of study, by research and experi- ment, it should discover them, than that it should have had the benefit of them without the stim- ulus and discipline to be gained them until by only in the search, just as it is better that people should have to work for their bread than that they should get it without work. In like manner it is better that we get our scientific knowledge by toil and search than to be put in easy possession of it. Hence we can see that in this respect Goc’s glory is most manifest in this method of partial conceal- ment, because God is glorified by every means which promotes the true well-being and growth of mankind. Moreover, the conceal- ment which stimulates study and discovery makes nature appear far more impressive to us than it otherwise would. We have only learned enough of nature’s secrets to see how wonderful God’s work in nature is. That which has been revealed serves to inspire us with greater awe in the presence of what is still veiled in mystery. As when we stand on the sea shore, the expanse of water that the eye can see, makes more im- pressive the thought of miles and miles of ocean that stretch far beyond our sight, as the little of nature which we have found out makes us feel that we have be- gun to read the divine thoughts, and how wonderful beyond our present conception must they be? If ‘by analogy we apply the same principle to the providence of God, we cannot doubt that He is intending yet to show us sur- prising evidences of His wisdom in the present concealment of His ways and purposes. Since the mystery of nature has not proved to be our misfortune, we may well believe that there lies in the concealments of providence a range of blessings as much higher than the benefits of study and discovery in science as the realm of science is higher than that of matler. Is it not accord- ing to analogy, is it not accord- ing to experience, to hold that we rise by discipline, by effort, by gradually pressing our way into higher ranges of truth; and by the training of capacity for fuller revelation? If so, then we shall yet see all God’s wisdom in the concealments of His prov- idence. —Selected. i) ty Sie ere Jowa (@rnitholodgist. A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Ornithology and Oology. DAVID Lk. SAVAGE, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER. — SUBSCRIPTION RATES. One year 40 cts. Single copy, e- 10 cts. ADVERTISING RATES. 1 inch . $ .50 2 inches .9go ¥% column 1.70 1 column 3.00 I page 5.00 Entered as second class mail matter at the Post Office, Salem, lowa. Address ail communications to David L. Savage, Salem, itowa. In commencing with this num- ber, the second volume of a mag- azine tor Ornithologists and Oologists, a few words from the editor may be in order. I desire to extend thanks to the fraternity of the Association for the honor they have bestowed upon me, in electing me as editor for the second year; also to the many readers of this magazine for their kind support, and I trust it will be continued, for they may feel assured that the second volume will be superior to the first. As the [owA ORNITHOLOGIST IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. reveals the wonders of nature, may its readers ‘*Go forth under the open sky, And list to nature’s teachings.” May they, while searching the secrets of nature, be impressed with ‘‘the wisdom of God in con- cealing.” For as man searches and discovers the secrets of na- ture, it strengthens and elevates the mind, it draws him nearer to nature’s God, hence in this way the strongest incentive to progress. Creator has supplied the What You [lissed By not attending the Congress at Iowa City. Hearing Heaton tell the good and bad qualities of the Crow. Seeing Keyes, Burge and Peck smile as Mt. Vernon was chosen for 1896. Hearing Shoemaker’s_ interest- ing paper on ‘‘Sea Birds that Visit Iowa.” | Getting the pamphlet, ‘‘Game_ Laws of Iowa” which Brown had for distribution; however, if you will address J. H. Brown, Iowa City, Ia., he will mail you a copy. : Seeing Laws’ excitement when he beheld the innumerable birds’ skins, of the Talbot collection, in the fourth story of the Science building. ~ Paint 3 6. IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Hearing Loomis’ excellent paper on ‘‘The Protection of Our Birds.” Seeing the painting of the Ruff- ed Grouse which Savage had to illustrate his paper. We have taken the family Vire- onidze for special study this quar- ter. The notes on the species of this family should be sent to Jno. V. Crone, Ames, Iowa, by Dec- ember ist. Let every one ofthe forty-three active members send in their notes. The Downy Woodpecker. _ ED. S. CURRIER. HAVE been surprised, that in none of the publications de- voted to our interests, has any _ writer remarked upon the almost total disappearance of the Downy Woodpecker, (dryolates pubes- cous) from his usual haunts. Every paper has contained matter about the Blue Bird and how Scarce they are all over the country, but in my territory I have seen more Blue Birds since the 1st of March than I have Downys, and it must be the same throughout the wooded country. Up to this year the Downy has been our most abundant wood- 23 pecker the year around but this spring I did not find a single nest, and have nol heard or seen more than ten or twelve of the birds during the spring, sum- mer and so far this fall. I think that the same cause that is responsible for the loss of the Blue Bird: viz., the steady and long continued coid and deep snow that we had during the last two weeks of January and first two of February—played havoc with the Downys. The Hairy Woodpeckon, has not been so numerous as usual, either, but their absence is not so noticeable and I do not believe so many perished. During April and May while tearing out holes in search for nests of chickadee, nuthatch and titmice, I found the dead bodies of six Downy ‘and one Hairy Woodpecker, showiaz no evi- dence that they had died from any other cause than cold or starvation. The First Annual Congress of the lowa Ornithological As-= sociation. HE First Congress of the lowa Ornithological Association was held at Iowa City, Aug. 22- 23, 1895, in the Zoological Lec- 24 IOWA .ORNITHOLOGIST. ee SS es ee ture Room of the Science Build- ing. BUSINESS MEETING, 2225. P.M. The meeting was called to or- der by the President, Chas. R. Nine Active Members were present. AUG. 22, PEEVES. After an interesting address by the President, letters from non- present members, Paul Bartsch, Ae ohnson and’ C;. FP... Hen= ning were read. The two former enclosed papers. Treasurer's report from organ- ation to) Aug. 22;. 1895, read. Secretary's report having been published in the Iowa Ornithol- ogist, was omitted. Was A discussion on interpretation of the Constitution followed, as to the duties of officers, manner of admitting new members, etc. Agreed that applicant’s names shall be voted ud0n by the Execu- tive Council and if admitted, the Council shall inform the Secre- tary, who shall inform the ap- plicant_of his admittance. Any person wishing to join the society and not knowing any member, may write to the Ed- itor-Treasurer or Chairman of the Executive Council. The Council shall have power to expel any member who has proven himself unworthy of mem- bership in so august a body as the Iowa Ornithological Association. Resolved that the yearly dues be raised to one dollar, ($1.00) for active members. A warm discussion on the man-— ner of continuing the society and supporting the Iowa Ornithol- ogist. Resolved that a committee of five (5) be appointed to compile a complete and annotated list of Iowa birds. After a long discussion on the manner of compiling the list of Iowa birds, the following com- mittee was appointed at the sug- gestion of the society: Chas. R. Keyes, Chairman, M. E. Peck, Paul Bartsch, J. V. Crone, H. J. Giddings. This meeting of the I. O. A., consisting of only nine members, found itself entirely helpless as far as performing any business was concerned, because there was not a majority of members which the present Constitution requires to enact business. Hence the following resolution. Resolved that a committe of two (2) be appointed who, with the President, shall draft a new constitution. An invitation was received and — accepted, from the Curator of IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 25 the State Historical Society, ask- ing the members of the I. O. A. to view the collection of that so- ciety. ADJOURNED BUSINESS SESSION. HAUG. .23, LIA. M. Consideration of the new draft of the Constitution as suggested by the committee. ) Resolved that we accept the revision of the Constitution as suggested by the committee. , The society then proceeded on MOUONe tO the election of a finance committee of three (3). Elected as_ follows: Ge mewn, Charman, B. 4H. > Bailey, J. H. Brown. Resolved that the Secretary be instructed to inform parties apply- ing for reports of the meetings, that a copy of the Iowa Ornithol- ogist containing such report will be sent them. Resolved that the next annual congress shall be held at Mount Vernon, Ia. Resolved that the meeting be left to the Executive Council, and that they select the time best .suited to the majority of members. PUBLIC SESSION, AUG. 22, 8:15 P.M. time of Address of : Welcome, Prof. Schaeffer, Pres. S. U. I. Iesponse, Pres. Chas. R. Keyes. Paper—Protection of our Birds, W. W. Loomis. Paper — Warblers Morton E. Peck. Mr. Peck mentioned thirty-six Warblers found in Iowa. This paper was followed by a discuss- ion of the Warblers, which closed the evening program. SECOND SESSION, AUG. 23, 9 A. M. Paper—American Duck Hawk, Geow He Burge: Paper—Birds Extinct in lowa, and Those Becoming So, Paul Bartsch. (In the absence of the author it was read by j.c ie of lowa, Brown. ) Paper—Relation of the Amer- ican Crow to Economics, Hiram Heaton. Paper—Bird Laws of Iowa and Iwas), that sane vNeededtya\ramde Brown. THIRD SESSION, AUG. 23, 2 P. M. Paper—Praine Hen, Adj ohue son., (In the “absence ‘oi tle author it was read by Pres. Keyes. ) Paper—Sea Birds that Visit Iowa, F. H. Shoemaker. Paper—Ruffed Grouse, D. L. Savage. Mr. Savage also exhibited a fine life size and color portrait of his subject. It was drawn by William Savage. Resolved that a vole of thanks be extended to the authorities of 26 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. the-S: US team Prof. Schaeffer their kindness rooms to our use. Thus ended the First Annual Congress of the Iowa Ornitho- logical Association. The Associ- ation to meet at Mt. Vernon, Ia., in 1896. J. EuGENE Law, Sec’y. general, and to in particular, for in opening their The active members should regarding the acceptance or rejection, of the revised constitution and other proceedings of the First Con- gress, to the Secretary before the ist day of December. J. EuGENE Law; Sec’y, Madison, Wis. send their votes Constitution and By-Laws of the lowa Ornithological Ass’n. Revised August 23, 1895. Article 1—Name and Object. Sec. 1—This organization shall be known as the Iowa Ornitho- olgical Association. Sec. 2—Its object shall be to promote a more thorough study of the birds of our state, thus awakening a truer love for them, and enabling the members to ‘‘Look through Nature up to Na- ture’s God.” Article II—Members. Sec. 1 — Members’ shall of three Honorary, Active, and Associate. . Sec. 2— Honorary Members: Honorary members shall be elect- in Orni- classes: ed for their eminence thology. Sec. 3—Active Mersbene Any e/a person, residing in the state of © Iowa, may become an _ active member after having been elect- ed. have the power to vote.: Sec. Any person, thology, may ciate member after having been 4 — Associate members: interested in Orni- a become an asso- elected. Article II[I—Officers and Com- mittees. Sec. i—The officers and com- mittees of the Association shall be President, Secretary, Editor- Treasurer, and an _ Executive Council of three (3) members, and a Finance Committee of three (3) members. Sec. 2—No member shall hold more than one office at any one time. Article I[V—Duties of Officers. Sec. 1—-Duties of the Presi- dent: The President shall be the official head of the Associa- tion and it shall be his duty to preside at any of the meetings; be | 4 . ; a a ee. J a ee so oe Active members only shall y IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 27 to enforce a due observance of the Constitution and By-laws; and to perform such other duties as may pertain to this office. Sec. 2—Duties of Vice-Presi- dent: It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to the duties of the President in case of his being absent or otherwise en- gaged. . Sec. 3— Duties of the Secre- It shall be the duty of the Secretary to conduct the corres- pondence of the Association; to keep a history of the Association; perform tary: to keep a record of its members and officers; and to notify per- sons of their election to member- ship, and members of their elec- tion to office. Sec. 4— Duties of the Editor- Treasurer: This officer shall be the Editor-in-chief of the official organ and shall have power with the consent of the Finance Com- mittee to purchase such supplies as may be needed in its publica- tion. ide Shall receive and have charge of all moneys belonging to the Association, and shall pay such bills as are approved and endorsed by the Finance Com- He shall publish send with each issue of the offi- mittee. and cial organ, a report of all receipts and expenditures made by him during the preceding quarter. Sec. 5--Duties of the) 2 xecu- tive Council: They shall ballot upon the names of all candidates for membership and a _ two-thirds vote of the Council shall be re- quired to elect a candidate. The chairman of the Council shall notify the Secretary of all persons elected to membership. They shall furnish for publication in each issue of the official organ a report of their proceedings. In all cases not otherwise provided for, the Executive Council shall have supreme power, provided, that when their vote is not unan- imous, the vote of the President of the Association shall decide. Article V—Election of Officers. Sec. 1—The election of officers and committees shall be held an- nually, at the annual meeting. Sec. 2—The officers of the As- sociation shall be nominated and elected by a majority ballot of the active members voting, and shall be chosen from among the active members. Article VI—Salaries of Officers. Sec. 1— The of thie Iowa Ornithological Association officers shall receive no salary, but each ‘officer shall be allowed the actual amount expended by him for the purchase of stationery, postage, 28 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. etc., used by him for the Associ- ation. Article VII—The Official Organ. Sec. 1—The official organ of the Association shall be a quar- terly journal, known as_ the ‘Towa Ornithologist.” Sec. 2—It shall contain the report of the officers together with such notes and special arti- cles as the Editor-in-chief and his assistants may decide upon. Article VI1I—Meetings. Sec. 1. An annual * meeting shall be held at such time and place as a majority of the active members voting may desire. Article [X—Motions. Sec. 1 —An active member shall have the right to submit any motion to a vote of the As- sociation. The motion must be seconded by an active member. Article X—Voting by Proxy. Sec. 1— All active members not present at the annual meeting may be represented by proxy. Article XI— Amendments. Sec. 1—An amendment to this Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the active members voting. Sec. 2—-All proposed amend- ments, except those presented at the regular annual meeting, shall be published in the official organ, and balloting upon such amend- \ ment shall not take place for at. ; least thirty (30) days after pub- — lic ation. BY-LAWS. Sec. 1—Each active member shall be required to send to the Editor, or to such person as he may direct, any notes he may have upon the families which are under special consideration in the succeeding issue of the offi- cial organ. Sec 2— Associate members may furnish notes on the families if they so desire and both active — and associate members are re- quested to furnish from time to time such special articles of in- terest as their work and observa- tion may provide them with. Sec. 3—Names of candidates for membership may be proposed by active or associate members — and such proposal should be ac- companied by such recommend- - ations of the proposed candidate as the proposer may have in his possession, and shall be forward- ed to the chairman of the execu- tive Council. Sec. 4—The President shall have the power to appoint a com- mitte of three (3) active members to assist the Editor-in-chief. Sec. 5—The candidate for Ex- ecutive Councilmen, who shall. IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 29 receive the largest number of electing ballots shall be the Chairman of the Executive Coun- cil. Sec. 6—In case two candidates for the same office shall receive each an equal number of electing ballots, that one who received the highest number of nomina- ting ballots shall be declared elected. Sec. 7—The membership fee of active members shall be 50c; this shall cover all dues to the ist of January after initiation. Sec. 8—The annual dues of active members shall be one dol- lar ($1.00), payable January Ist of each year. The annual dues of the associate members shall be forty cents (40c). Sec. 9—The Iowa ORNITHOLO- Gist shall be sent free to all members of the Iowa Ornitholog- ical Association. Sec. 10—The Constitutions of this Association shall be kept by the Secretary. Each member of the Association shall be entitled to copies free of charge. Sec. 11—All papers presented al the annual meetings shall be- come the property of the Associ- ation and shall be filed with the Editor-Treasurer. Sec. 12—The By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the active members voting. Members of the lowa Ornithological Association, October, 1895. ACTIVE MEMBERS. Omission of the date indicates a Founder. ~ Anderson, Rudolph M., Forest City Arildson, Peter, Rock Rapids, 1895 Ball, Carleton R., Ames, - —— Bailey, Bert. H., Cedar Rapids, 1895 Bartsch, Pau!, Burlington, - —-- Brown, J. H., Davenport, 1895 Bryan, William A., New Sharon, —— Burge, George H., Mt. Vernon, 1895 Carter, Charles, Fairfield, 1895 Coleman, W. G., Boone, - 1895 Conrad, Prof. A. H., Fairfield, 1895 Crone, John V., Marathon, —— Fitzpatrick, T. J., lowa City, 1895 Gaymore, MissMary L.,lowa City, 1895 Giddings, H. J., Sabula, Godley, A. P., Le Grand, Heaton, Hiram, Glendale, 1895 Henuing, Carl Fritz., Boone, 1895 Irons. Ernest, Council Bluffs, ——— _ Johnson, Albert J., bes Moines 1895 Keyes, Charles R., Mt. Vernon, —— Law, J. Eugene, Perry, —— Looinis, W. W., Clerment, —— Newell, Wilmon, Hull, Onley, R. H., Marathon, 1895 Owens, Frank L., Brooklyn, 1895 Peck, Morion E., LaPorte City, 1895 Pierce, Robt. F., Salem, 1895 Richardson, F. G., Mason City, —-— Ross, Thos. C., Fairfield, 1895 Savage, Walter G., Hillsboro, —— Savage, David L., Salem, —— Searles, W. W., Lime Springs, —— Shoemaker, Frank H., Hampton, 1895 Smith, C. C., Decorah, 1895 Stearps, Fred R., Sac City, os Statler, Earl C., Brighton, 1895 Tomiinson, Robt. A., Alden, 1895 Tiiem, Mrs. M. A., Manchester, 1895 30 Tryon, Charles C., Avoca, Walters, Mrs. Gus., Cedar Falls, 1895 Webster, E. B., Cresco, - - Wood, PaulC., Spencer, : HONORARY MEMBERS. Goss, Rk. D., Few Sharon, Savage, William, Wilsonville, ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. Baylis, A. W., Cedar Rapids, Ia., 1894 1894 1894 Flint, H. W,, New Haven, Conn.,1894 Maycock, W. H., Salem, Iowa, 1894 McGinty, Paul P:, Athens, Ga., 1894 McLaugblir,H.M.,Mason Citv,Ia.1894 Moore, J. Russell, Milwaukee. 1895 Shearer, ArnonR., Wallisviile, Tex. 1895 Wirt, W. J. Gaines, New York 1894 EXCHANGE COLUMN. Brief special announcements, ‘‘Wants,” ‘‘Exchanges,”’ ‘‘For Sales,” inserted in this department free to all members of the I. O. A., and to all subscribers of the Iowa ORNITHOLO- GIST. umns at regular advertising rates only. as ‘*Dealers can use these col- WaNTED—A complete file of the Ornithologist and Oologist which was published by Frank B. Webster; also Jordan's ‘‘Manual of Vertebrates.” Persons having same to sell or ex- change, please write at once to David L. Savage, Salem, Ia. ._ Wilson’s Ornithology, old edition, containing 1200 pages, goo birds, 4c0 illustrations, weight 6 Ibs., for sale or exchange to the highest bidder. I will exchange for bird’s eggs in sets, Indian relics, or geological specimens. I also have old U. S. postage stamps to exchange for Confederate stamps. Address Paul C. Woods, Spencer, Ia. - IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Rar sh s Photographs of living birds, nests — and eggs, and of Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota scenery to exchange tor photos of similar subjects. E. B. Webster, Cresco, Iowa. ‘Courier’ cushion tire bicycle, ’92 pattern, fair condition, 30 in. wheels, for sale at $18, or exchange to the value of $20. Address Paul C, Woods, | ow Spencer, Iowa. - AER RRennneananennnnannnnuancannucennnenunnaennEREEnuREEEEEEBEREnEEnEe The <. Eclipse Curtesity € abinet 25 Curies 25¢. : Chinese — Chips, Napkin, Chinese Lottery Ticket, Star Fish, — Contains Chinese Poker Giant Tree Bark, Cal. Red Sea Bean, Alli- gator Tooth, 3 Yellow Wax Sheils, Marine ~ Algae, Gypsum Crystals, Bloody Tooth Shetls, Chinese Cash Coin, 3 Boat Shells, Egg of Periwinkle, Drab Sea Bean Sunflow- — ; er Coral, 3 Money Cowries and Fossil Crin- oid. All labeled, name and locality, and in partitioned box exactly like cut. post paid 25c. Reliable stamp and coin guide, 64 pages, __ giving pricos paid for all foreign and U.S. coins and-stamps, 15c. Chinese chop sticks. ebony, ten in. long, lo cts. a pair. Chinese cash coins 4 for loc. Indian arrowheads 4 for 25c. Cabinet of l5 varieties minerals 25c. silver. : R. E. Bartlett, 100 State St., Rockford, Ill. SANRERR REE EnEnnnenenunnnnannnnnnnenunnnununununeunnnnnanenununuunnnEBE THIS MAGAZINE IS FROM THE PRESS OF ee. E. B. & M. A. WEBSTER, PUBLISHERS OF THE CRESCO REPUBLICAN AND COMMERCIAL PRINTERS, CRESCO, - = 2 IOWA. Sent ; Send stamps or PINTAIL. Dajila acuta. re en eg ‘edie # [otwa + (rnithologist Nols 2: Salem, [a., January, 1896. NOR. Sea Birds That Visit lowa. FRANK H. SHOEMAKER, HAMPTON, IA, Paper read before the First Congress of lls ©. AL NDER this heading I have considered the species. of four orders— Pygopodes, Longi- pennes, Steganopodes and Anse- Ges.) his is indeed an classification of ‘‘sea birds,” but will meet the requirements of the The order Anseres is probably as a whole the least entitled to a position under the general heading, but inexact subject in this case. owing to the maritime habits of many of the species the entire order is included. The following list is essential- ly a compilation, since my resi- dence within the state has been too far removed from _ water- courses or lakes to furnish op- portunity for personal observa- tion. My chief authority through- out is the Report on Bird Migra- tion in the Mississippi Valley during the years 1884 and 1885. Frequent reference is made also toa list of the birds of Iowa, compiled by J. A. Allen, consti- {uting Appendix B in Vol. II of the State Geological Survey of 1870. mention of species can be made at this time. The order Pygopodes has five rephesemtatives) im fhiseystate—s three grebes and two loons. Hol- beell’s Grebe is a species of north- ern regions, coming south in win- ter occasionally to the upper por- tions of the Mississippi Valley. The Horned. Grebe is an allied species, more common than the former, though not abundant; it is occasional in Iowa as a mi- grant, but it is doubtful if it ever winters in any part of the state. The Pied-billed Grebe, popularly known by a more forcible as well as a more fittingly descriptive name, occurs in al) parts of the No more than a_ passing state as a summer resident, nest- ing quite commonly, though its eggs seldom appear in the cabi- nets of those who do not know the peculiar nesting habits. The family Urinatoride is rep- resented by two _ species: the Loon proper, Urinator imber, and its ally, the Red-throated Loon. The former is the more common variety, inasmuch as it nests in the north and appears regularly during migrations, while the latter variety, the Red-throat- On is) ed Loon, is a distinctively north- ern species, and appears only during the winter, very irregular- ly. Three years ago I saw a flock of Red-throated Loons on a small lake in Franklin county. and af- ter a long detour and much care- ful crawling in a layer of snow and mud, succeeded in approach- ing near enough to secure two of the birds at one shot. This is ‘the only time I have found loons the gregarious and I of either variety in a flock; class is not would not be convinced of the identity until I had the birds where I could compare with des- cription. The order Longipennes has ten _ representatives in| Iowa, four of the species being gulls and six The Great Black-backed Gull is mentioned by Allen asa terns. rare migrant occurring within our borders. It is probable that none have been seen within recent The Herring Gull mi- of the Franklin’s years. nearly all Mississippi Valley. Gull breeds from southern Minne- grates over sota northward, passing through Iowa during migration, but is not a common variety. Gull is strictly northern in its the gulf coast and traversing Iowa The Gull- Bonaparte’s nidification, wintering on during migrations. IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. billed Tern is chiefly a coast bird breeding on the Gulf of Mexico, but is occasionally reported from the various portions of the Missis- sipp! Valley. The Caspian Tern was taken by J. W. Preston in central Iowa, but should proba- bly be considered as a straggler. It is an irregularly distributed species and is found chiefly along the gulf coast. Forster’s Tern is a common variety in northern Iowa, and is generally distribut- ed over the state as a summer resident, wintering on the coast. The Common Tern, according to Mr. Preston before quoted, has been taken in Central Iowa. The Least Tern, while chiefly coast- wise in its habitat, is occasional- ly found in various parts of the Valley. » I do Miia know at what place nor at what Mississippi season specimens have been tak- en in Iowa, but Mr. Allen names it in his list. The Black Tern is the most common of the class with us as a summer resident. Of the Steganopodes there are two species. The Double-crest- ed Cormorant winters south and is common during migrations. I have taken several specimens in The American White Pelican winters in the gulf states and passes through Iowa to its breeding place in the north. Franklin county. eae quently in Iowa, owing to 33 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. The order Anseres has thirty species which have been taken in Iowa. ihe have three representatives, the American, Red-breasted, and Hooded Mergansers, all of which I have seen in Franklin county. fish-eating ducks The American Merganser winters south and nests north, passing through Iowa. as a migrant, one of the earliest. The Red-breast- ed Merganser is said to be an oc- casional winter resident in favor- ed portions of the state, but is more common as a migrant. The Hooded Merganser is a hardier species than the former, winter- ing further north, though not fre- the freezing of almost all the water courses. The Mallard is an early and abundant migrant. The Black Duck is chiefly an eastern species, seldom found west of the Missis- sippi River, but according to the Report on Bird Migration it has been known to breed in Iowa. The Gadwall migrates in great numbers to congregate on the gulf coast, but 1S said to winter in some parts of Illinois and pos- sibly in Iowa. The Baldpate ranges all over North America, wintering far south. The Green- winged Teal breeds chiefly above the United States border, but is a common migrant. The Blue- winged Teal nests further south, sometimes in this state. The Shoveller breeds from Minneso- ta northward, migrating com- monly through Iowa. The Pintail, the subject of our frontispiece, is an early migrant, but unlike the greater number of the ducks which migrate first it does not nest exclusively in the far northwest. It is a common breeder at Heron Lake, Minn., and at Spirit Lake, Iowa, and has been known to nest in por- tions of Illinois. The Wood Duck is a summer resident throughout the Mississippi Valley. The Red- head is a common migrant, its range being almost identical with that) Yor (the Pinta) tine s@ane vass-back is known to breed at Heron Kake, but I have seen no Iowa record. The Blue-bill and Lesser Blue-bill, or Scaup, ducks migrants, but are summer residents in the northern part of Ilowa,-there be- occur chiefly as ing several records of nesting at Clean ateakew mi Cerrom Gouda county. The Ring-neck also has been found breeding there, this being the most southern record It is, of course, chiefly a migrant. The Golden- eye breeds north of [owa, our only notes on the species classing of its nesting. 34 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. it a migrant anGwerare. ] age done by vermin, and it is plain to be seen that if the birds were allowed to multiply it would not be long before they would save to the United States this four hundred million dollars. Would not this be a benefit? Concerning the usefulness of birds many persons, especially culturists, seem to have errone- ous ideas. Every farmer keeps one or more cats to rid his build- ings of rats and mice, and he, willingly compensates them for their services by giving them a liberal supply of food; but many of these estimable men fairly get beside themselves if a hawk robs them of a chicken. Now I claim that the hawks kill enough nox- ious animals to more than rec- ompense them for the loss of their chickens. To sustain this statement let me refer you to the time when the legislature of Pennsylvania passed the ‘‘Scalp Act) Vhis act placed) a jbounmey, of fifty cents on every hawk and owl that was killed. What was the result. Well, in eighteen months the state paid out no less than ninety thousand dollars in cash and saved to the farmers one thousand, eight hundred and seventy-one dollars in chickens. This made eighteen dollars apiece for every chicken that was saved. Rather expensive poul- But this was not the worst, for as fast as the hawks and owls decreased, the rodents and other pernicious animals increased, and that year the loss of crops which the department of agriculture at- tributed to the excessive try. number of injurious animals was estimat- 36 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. ed to be about two million dollars. Does this not prove that the rap- tores as a class are beneficial ? The robin is a bird that has in- curred the enmity of gardeners. The horticulturists sent a petition to the legislature requesting that the robin be taken from the list of protected birds. An investigating committee was appointed who found by examin- ing robins’ stomachs that nine- tenths of its food consists of an injurious larvee, proving beyond all doubt that the bird was a great benefactor. pear Boston from himself A gentleman who Michigan signs ‘‘Amicus Avium” has given special atten- tion to the phcebe and has esti- mated the amount that this bird annually saves the state. One pair of birds from March 15th to October Ist, rears two broods or ten birds. Each bird eats thirty insects an hour eight hoursa day. ' The gentleman then finds the en- tire number of insects destroyed and estimates that if they were permitted to live, each one would do one-thousandth of a cent dam- age to fruit, grain or lumber. Allowing one and a half pair of birds for every square mile in the state, would make a saving of over three and one-fourth million dollars. I have dealt with only a few species, but have tried to select those that deal with the entire feathered tribe. Now if we grant that birds are useful, let us turn to the second head of our subject. No one wishes to leave the for- ests and prairies in their primi- tive condition for the sake of the birds, even when he knows the progress of civilization has caused and will continue to cause a de- crease in American bird popula- tion. the same avicular cannibals be- fore the advent of the white man, as there are to-day, but it will take a long time before the hawks or blue jays or cow birds can ex- It is of greater evil-workers that I wish to speak. First is the English Sparrow. These disreputable Britons were brought here to destroy the span- worm, and they must be credited with having done their work well. A limited number might be a good thing, but surely their intro- duction has proved a case where ‘‘remedy is worse than disease.” A few years ago these birds were sold for four dollars a pair, and terminate a single species. now I do not know but what one could be supplied with them at four cents a pair, so rapidly have We know that there were | IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 37 they increased. These foreigners are of such a quarrelsome and pugnacious nature that the na- tive songsters have had to retreat from place to place before them. And now our feathered friends are far from their favorite haunts, and greatly reduced in numbers; unless a helping hand is given they will be compelled to follow in the footsteps of the Great Auk. Of course we have no statistics to show the number of birds that the sparrow destroys, but it is evident to the observer that un- less war is declared against him, we must say good-bye to many of our native songsters. Many birds are used every year to supply the demand of fashion. Mr. A. J. Allen claims that there are ten million Amer- ican women of a ‘bird wearing age and proclivity,” and that it takes five million perfect birds to supply them. The greater num- ber of these are killed during the breeding season and someone, I do not know who, will have to answer for the hundreds of little birds that are left in the nest and allowed to starve to death. Let us count one little bird for each pair of old ones, this will make two and a half million. (Now some will say that this is too many. Certainly! Not near all that are, have from one to six to a dozen offspring.) This seven million, five hundred thou- are breeding, but all makes in all sand birds that are annually used to decorate hats and _ bonnets. Wholesale dealers count one hun- dred birds to the bushel. This would make seventy-five thou- sand bushels, or more than enough to fill ninety-three box cars. It is difficult for the ceive of such vast numbers of birds, and to think that they are used for what seems to us, a But what arouses the greatest indigna- mind to con- worse than useless purpose. tion in the lover of birds, is to see these feather-bedecked women go to Sunday School, get Same up before a class of boys or girls andsay, ‘‘You mustn't rob birds’ nests, because it 1s wicked and only, “bade boys) doy thal liters foo be hoped) that sthe > New Woman” will bring with her new and better ideas for decorating her head-gear. Other destroyers of birds are the Great American Egg Hogs —the imitation naturalists who cover up their crimes with a veil they call science. These might be divided into two classes; those who collect for mercenary pur- poses and those who collect sim- ply to amass a great variety of 38 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. birds and eggs. Then we find a sub-class, those who are always collecting and have not time to study just then, but expect to do that after awhile. Why it is that these persons collect so many birds and eggs of the same spe- cies isamystery. Onecomplains about his hard luck, got only one hundred eggs all saying he day, one brags about taking one hundred and seventy-five eggs of a rare bird; another boasts about “scooping” as he called it, one hundred and twenty dozen in one day. What is the object of this wholesale destruction ? If it were permissible for me to criticize so eminent a natural - ist as Dr. Coues, I would say I do not agree with him. He says SOISeNE ¢How many birds of the same kind do you Allyoucan get. At least from fifty to one hundred, and more of the commoner varieties.” ima ‘his want ? That is all right for colleges and museums, where there are many persons to examine the specimens, but not for the private collector. I am afraid that the worthy gen- tleman himself would soon ob- ject if each of the several thou- sand the United States would follow his advice. It is difficult to see how he ex- pects to advance science so much collectors in more by his one hundred stuffed — birds than by the student who goes out and takes notes from life. JI will quote from Emerson, ‘‘The bird is not in its ounces and — relation to nature, and the skin or skeleton inches, but in its you show me is no more a heron, than a heap of ashes or a bottle of gases into which his body has been reduced, is Dante or Wash- ington.” Wecannot tell about the character or habits of a per- son by examining his body after he is dead and embalmed, yet it. is by preserved specimens of birds that the worthy gentleman at- tempts to work. What is needed 1s more students and less collectors. We all the great damage done by the pot hunters and the smal] boy who robs nests and kills birds ‘‘just for fun,” but this can be remedied by proper laws. know of It is the question of how to protect the birds against other ~ enemies, that we are to discuss. What is to be done with the English Sparrow? One man suggests that if every collector would in an air-rifle and it on them it would reduce their numbers. This might help, but I am afraid that it would take more air and patience than could be found. Out of the many ways which have been suggested, the invest use IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 39 only feasible one—at least in my mind—it now employed by a few of the states, paying a bounty on the pests. To prevent or rather change the fashion for wearing birds, some advocate legislative action against hats trimmed with feath- ers. It is a question in my mind whether such a course would prove feasible, for the ladies:have as much right to use the birds that way as some of our collect- ors have to hoard them away in their cabinets. It is quite gen- erally agreed that the only way is to appeal to the better nature of the ladies and trust them to put away the fashion and take up something more in keeping with the close of the nineteenth century. Many ways are sug- gested for bringing the subject before the public. One is by placing placards in street cars, another is by distributing slips in churches, on which are printed a a few statistics showing the num- ber of birds that it takes to sup- ply the demand, etc. Whe next and difficult question to solve is how to con- most vince the farmer that he is injur- ing himself every time he kills an owl or robin or the other birds that he probably believes to be his enemies, Now we all know that there are some ‘‘black sheep” among the birds. It seems to me that one of the objects of our association is to point out to the farmer just which these ‘black sheep’ are. It is perfectly nat- ural and right for a man to pro. tect his property, and even if he knows that many of the raptores are beneficial, he does not like to have them take his poultry. I do not know how to prevent the hawks from taking toll for their but build respectable chicken-coops, work, if the farmers would they would not be troubled with owls, for they being nocturnal are not out until the chickehs have gone to roost and it is only the farmer who allows his poultry to sleep in trees that suffers, and we might say in the words of the small boy, ‘It’s just good enough for him.” Finally, I would say that the only way to preserve our birds is to present facts to the people showing them the true character bind’ +) They cane them distinguish the = bawdrs should be treated, protecting their friends and destroying their of each how enemies. Thus by awakening the farmer to his own interests, securing needful laws, and with a never- ceasing warfare against the 40 and English Sparrow, we may in time hope to pseudo-naturalists recall to their own homes, our favorite friends, the pursued and persecuted birds. As they return to our door yards and take up life as in the days of yore, we will become better acquainted and realize more fully their great mis- sion in this world. This return will serve as a death warrant to the avaricious collector and as an impetus to the student who devotes his life to the exploration of the characters and habits of these, the favor- ites of nature. Notes on the Birds of lowa. JOHN V. CRONE, MARATHON, IOWA, COMPILER. HE Vireonide, our family for special study this quarter, is quite well represented in Iowa, the reports embracing definite notes from sixteen counties, and upon seven different species. No doubt the notes would have been more profuse were it not for the fact that ornithologists are some- what tardy in becoming acquaint- ed with the different varieties of our smaller birds. IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Vireo oltvaceus. (Linn.) RED-EYED, VIREO: 624. The Red-eyed Greenlet is of | wide distribution, not being con- fined,to the. U.S. In Iowa it appears to be quite generally found. However, the notes show a dearth of either the birds gists in the west and northwest or enthusiastic ornitholo- portions of the state, since it is reported from only one county, — Pottawattamie—in that region, while there are profuse notes on the species from fifteen in the eastern and central parts. It arrives in the state in late April and early May, breeds dur- ing late May and all of June and leaves during the latter part of August or September. It is a more numerous migrant than summer resident; but is not rare by any means during the breeding season, being reported as ‘‘common” or ‘‘abundant” by nearly all who mention the num- bers found through the period of nidification. who reported on the species to be equally versed in our favorite science, the numbers vary con- siderably with locality. Most likely this is due to the topog- raphy of the country in question. The nest is pensile—a trite statement to most lovers of birds, Assuming all those | —ee 4 he a ‘ i Bovlous,”- It IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Al yet new to some of our readers perhaps—and is a beautiful and interesting structure. The site varies considerably in elevation as will be seen from the follow- “ing quotations: ‘‘under thirty feet tein and ash trees;” ‘‘swung from the low branch of some bush or tree, between five and ten feet from the ground;” ‘‘low branches of large trees or near Eke, tops of ‘near ground between five and twenty feet up;” ‘‘lowest limb of maple saplings;” tree, seven feet up; ‘‘suspended from the fork of a slender limb, usually a few feet up; sometimes quite high;” ‘‘almost any height from the ground,” Mines little basket” is ‘‘deeper and narrower than that of V. lS Somalis Oh woven vegetable materials, hemp- en fibers -and the soft inner bark @utiees, a preference being no- ticed by Mr. Shoemaker for the inner bark of the dead elm and Mr. Giddings reports a nest ‘‘composed of grass, pieces of hornet’s nests and spider webs. The hornet’s nest had furnished fully one-half of all the nest. It was lined with hair and fine grass.” Another nest described by Mr. D. L. Savage, was ‘‘composed of fibers from the milkweed. and cobwebs were profusely used inter- ash. Grass on) the outside.” “It was ““pen= sile and cup-shaped and lined with reddish fibers.” The worst that can be gleaned from the reports’ on our little Greenletis, that it, innocently and unwittingly no doubt, helps to sustain that despicable pest, the Cowbird. : Mr Dies ySavage. andeavirs Law each report sets of } V. ol- ivaceous and 1-1 Molothrus ater. In the nest before mentioned Mr. Giddings wine 12, 1895, two eggs of the Vireo, and one, of the Cowbird, he next day there were three eggs of the Vireo, and two of the Cowbird. He finds the Vireo much imposed upon: iby. ithe Cow birds a Vins: Gy Smith asays.. 3°) VWVithieahiemex ception of the Chipping Sparrow, perhaps no bird is so much im- found on posed upon as this Vireo. I think that the Vireo will desert the nest if the egg of the Cowbird is deposited first because one will often find one or two eggs of the Cowbird in a deserted nest of the Vireo. Two or three eggs of the Vireo with from one, two or three of the Cowbird is the usual num- ber. I have seen the following combinations, 624 1-4 and 495 I-1; 624 1-3 and 495 1-1; 624 1-3 and 495 I-2; 624 1-3 and 495 1-3. Evidently the Red-eye is not 42 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. much in fear of man, since Mr. Heaton finds it a regular resident in his door yard where it is under observation at all times; and Mr. Barstch has found it nesting in the cities of Burling- ton, Decorah and Iowa City. The species has a ‘‘loud, clear heard in any is ‘‘one of our song that can be woodland.” It best and most persistent song- sters continuing during its entire stay.” It‘‘may,” says Mr. Smith, ‘‘be heard at all hours of the day. Its song is rather monotinous is. uttered! asthe bird’ fits It has also a characteristic alarm note and about among the foliage. which is uttered when the person gets too near its home; and the note is nearly always a sign of the near proximity of the nest.” 626. V. philadelphicus. (Cass.) PHILADELPHIA VIREO. This species is reported from only two counties—Scott and Jackson. Mr. Giddings thinks it may breed in Jackson county, since he has noted it there dur- ing the breeding season. He finds it very rare, having seen the bird only a few times. He first saw the species for the season of 1895, on June Ist. Mr. J. H. Brown finds it not uncommon in Scott county. In some seasons he finds it a quite common He agrees with Mr. Davie that it is very like V. gilvus, but finds it much migrations, migrant. more quiet during ‘‘seeming to prefer tree-tops and He finds it rath- being common _ one rural districts.” er erratic, year and perhaps rare the next. Mr. Davie says, in his Nests and Eggs of N. A. Birds, that the species is ‘tnot common where- ever found;” but that ‘‘in portions of the Mississippi valley it is more common than in the eastern states occurring regularly and in considerable numbers during the spring and fall migrations.” The I. O. A. needs to take this spe- cies especially in hand and de- velop information concerning it. 627. V. Gitvus. (Vieill.) WARBLING VIREO. This species does not seem to be so widely and generally dis- tributed as the Red-eye, or else it is not so well known. It is re- ported from twelve of the six- teen counties heard from. ‘‘Com- mon is the word most often used in connection with its numbers. The compiler judges that next to the Red-eye, it is the most num- erous species in Iowa, The dates of its occurrence are from April to ti IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 43 September. almost June seems to be exclusively its nesting Davie reports it as nest- ing in May and June, but it must nest in May farther south, since none of the notes report it ear- lier than June 12th. The com- piler finds its commonest date of nidification to be about June 20th. The nesting site is higher than that of the Red-eye, or any other reported. season. “Frequently nests in tops of maples in door yards as high as forty feet;”’ ‘‘usually » thirty or forty feet;’ ‘‘generally higher than that of the Red-eyed Vireo;” ‘‘usually placed at a con- siderable height;” ‘“‘high among tees; “usually in: horizontal crotch at greatest possible dis- tance from crotch of tree.” All that can be gleaned from the reports about the nest itself, is that it is pensile, cup-shaped and lined with fine grass. The nest in the prairie groves of Buena Vista county is generally com- posed of coarse grass and bark strips, very neat though rather rough on outside, and is lined with down from the seed of the cottonwood tree. Mr. Brown finds that the spe- cies seems to prefer the vicinity of towns in migrations, but of groves and open woods _ for Pe) Mr. Peck notes that it ‘‘nests about houses and along the edges of woods.” With Mr. Smith it ‘inhabits the shade trees along ether street. Mise): inle. Savage finds it nesting ‘‘near the abode of man.” Those who are _ acquainted with the Bronzed Grackle call to mind how, these is aroused, breeding. will when one of it will utter its loud and excited cries, soon call- ing around it others who join in throwing imprecations upon the intruder, and follow him mee CO), USS, from The compiler has often found the nest of gilous by thus disturbing the Grackles, who in turn are scolded by the Vireos, if the domain of the latter is in- The Vireo in such cases when it fears truded upon. note of the the safety of its nest, some-_ what resembles the cry of a cat. Mr. R. M. Anderson found a nest in much the same way, by climbing to a Robin’s nest which chanced to be near that of the Greenlet. Reports upon the habits of the species are somewhat meager. Mr. Bartsch refers us to the beau- tiful lines appended to the des- cription of the species by Coues. but I fear that these same beau- tiful lines are not accessible un-, less one is near a college library, 44 or so fortunate as to own a copy of Mr. Coues’ valuable work. _ The following from the pen of our honorary member, Mr. William Savage, will be inter- esting to all. ‘‘He seems to be always cheerful if we may judge by his song; but he is not safe from marauders. Snakes, cats, weasels and minks often lay waste his possessions. June 15, 1895, I found a nest containing three epess,/. In three little scrawny young birds were wriggling in the nest fruitless to’ raise » their heads I approached. The next day one was gone and the day following, the other two had shared the fate of the first. I cut the sprig of hazel off that held the nest and made it a point to pass that way frequently. Soon I discovered the murderer, a beautiful snake, about sixteen inches long—what we term the house snake—suspended in the hazel bush, with his head and neck protruding over the very place where the nest had been. (It is needless to say I slew him. )” The nest which Mr. Savage men- tions was four feet up. Mr. Anderson found a nest five feet up. The bird was a close sitter and allowed herself to be caught in his hand. a few days making efforts as one-half feet IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. It is reported asa livelyand — pleasant singer almost as much so as the Red-eye but with a sweet- ~ er song. Mr. Smith writes that it sings during May and June, © then is silent to August 15, when it again sings till its departure. Mr. Bryan notes it as a beautiful singer and interesting species. 628. V. flavifrons. (Vieill.) YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. Flavifrons is reported as_ being not so common as the Warbling and Red-eyed species. Probably there would be a contest between it and belli for third rank in num- bers. It is perhaps more evenly distributed than the latter and not quite so plentiful found. Like most others of its tribe it reaches the state in late April and early May, but the reports indi- cate that it is somewhat early in its arrival. Its stay seems to be briefer also, since it is reported where “= as being last seen as early as August Io. The nesting site is chosen at a considerable elevation, usually, though Mr. Law reports one from Dallas county in a hazel bush one foot up. Others mentioned are ‘‘in hickory tree fourteen and up; « “‘anwioaee twenty-five feet up;” ‘‘near the IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 45 top of a high tree;” ‘‘in burr-oak tree twenty feet from the ground;” meimrouiiteen feet up. ‘*lrhe nest,” says Mr. Peck, ‘‘is a beau- titul structure. It is covered with slichens much like a Blue- gray Gmnatcatcher’s, and is very hard to find. Mr. Anderson mentions a nest composed of dry grass, cottony substances, thin pieces of bark and moss, and almost covered with bits of newspaper in two languages; which latter item leads the analytical mind of our correspondent to inquire whether the bird may not possibly be a linguist. lined with reddish strips of grape-vine bark. This nest was located in the same tree as those of a Robin and Mourning Dove, andcontain- ed four eggs of the Vireo and one of the Cowbird. Reames neported by Mr-D. L. Savage was outwardly composed of spiders’ webs and fibers ~ of of wild grape-vine bark, then a The nest was coating of newspaper and a lining of fine grass. The Yellow-throated is ‘‘a large, stout species,” robust built, and ‘‘the brightest colored of our Vireos.” While the song is described as being ‘‘slow, almost slovenly,” and ‘‘with a peculiar languid drawl,” and lacking the animated delivery of olivaceus and gilvus, yet itis much admired by Mr. Heaton, and the bird is consider- ed a fine songster by Mr. Gid- dings. The female leaving the nest reluctantly and is a close sitter, and even in some cases requiring to be displaced by the hand. It is not averse to making its home ) Mr. Savage reports one pair, near the abode of man, Wm. who, when robbed of their treas- ures, presumably by the Blue Jays, tore the old nest to pieces and rebuilt in a tree only six feet from the door of his office and He finds pair every year breeding in a fitteen feet ul. one grove of about two acres near the He notes, though, that even so close a proximity to the house. dwelling of man does not free the species from the ‘‘piratical tyr- rany of the Kingbird.” Mr. Woods finds eggs” to be the “four rosy usual comple- ment, and that they average larger than those of the Red-eye and Warbling. Mr. Smith re-: ports a set which average 80x59, 82x60, 80x60 and 82x59. One case is reported where the bird left the nest which was found before the eggs were laid, al- though it was not in any way 46 disturbed. Mr. Anderson says that ‘‘the birds scold with great vehemence when a person comes near the nest and continue as long as he remains in the vicin- ity even though some distance away.’ solitarius. G20.) 3V5 (Wils.) BLUE-HEADED VIREO. Mr. as a not uncommon migrant in Scott county. Brown reports solitarius He says that it is retiring and hurried, there seldom being more than a few days be- tween the first arrival and the de- parture of the bulk. _ He finds it usually in large woods. In Black Hawk Co., Mr. Peck finds abundant, but usually not very common migrant. it a sometimes It appears early in spring, in company with the har- diest of the warblers while on way to its breeding grounds, chiefly north of the U. S. _ Mr. Bartsch has never observed the bird at Burlington but took two specimens at Iowa City on the Oth of May, 1895. In actions he found them quite similar to the Yellow-throated. Mr. Anderson has taken two females of this migrant species in Winnebago Co.; one May 14, 1892, and one Sept. 18, 1894. its IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 631. V. noveboracensis. (Gmel.) WHITE-EYED VIREO. Mr. Bryan has seen this variety _ of the Greenlets quite common in the edge of the woods along Squaw Creek in Story Co. He taken in also has specimens Mahaska Co. Mr. Wm. Savage reports it as a resident in VanBuren Co., but not very common. Mr. Brown says that while not much seen in summer it is a not uncommon summer resident and fairly plentiful in spring. Mr. Bartsch writes as follows: “Only two of these birds have come under my observation; one at Burlington some years ago, — and one at Iowa City last spring. This bird prefers the low, dense willows and especially small trees overgrown by a dense mass of Had it not been for the lively and pleasing man- ner with which they delivered their clear, ringing song, I should erape-vines. have overlooked them in a tangle of green.” Mr. D. L. Savage sendsiine following valuable notes in this connection: “Not common. Have never found a nest, al- though I have noted the birds in migrations, and also quite late in eee See eee ee ~ 7. the spring. Mr. Walter G. Sav- © IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. AGE age, VanBuren Co., found a nest with two eggs, July 18, 1894. Nest was placed in hazel bush eighteen inches up and composed of pieces of rotten chips—such as the Chickadee pecks out of its hole—moss, small pieces of cobwebs and lined with very fine grass and inner bark fibers of wild grape-vine. 633. V. bellii. (Aud, BELL'S VIREO. The notes on this Vireo are not voluminous enough for the compiler to derive them als) WO leaves, from any general conclusions numbers, dates and nesting site. Mr. Law finds it abundant in Dallas Co., but less so’ in Winne- bago. He has found the species breeding in the former, and Mr. Fred Hamlin took a set of three cubated eggs on June 23, 1894. One of these was situated ina hazel bush one foot up. Mr. Woods finds it of common Seetnence in Payette Co., but not abundant. ‘‘The eggs aver- age a trifle smaller than the other species.” Mr. Peck, Hawk Co., reports it abundant writing from Black everywhere among thickets and underbrush in summer. The nest, which is small, he finds sit- uated two to six feet from the ground. Noted asa late migrant, breeding far into August. It ‘‘is almost as quarrelsome,” he says, “as the Yellow-throated. Its” song is lively and shrill and dis- tinguishable at a great distance.” Mim. Ilo Savage says Nok uncommon, favorable locations in}-bramble bushes and It has a rollicsome little song which al- being thickets of undergrowth. ways brings gladness with it. I have never had the good fortune to find a nest, although I have searched repeatedly for it, while the old birds were making quite an ado. It must be well con- cealed.” Mr. Bryan writes that he has seen it quite numerous in Mahaska Co., along wood-roads; and has secured one nest in a hazel bush in a river pasture. Mr. Irons says that the well known voice of this little bird is a familiar sound in the wood- lands of Pottawattamie Co. Mr. Brown finds it a quite common resident in Scott Co., nesting in late May Summer and early June, usually at the low elevation of from two and one- half to ten, feet. ‘A; quiet, mes tiring species and much more common in the small brush patches in prairie districts than in the vicinity of water courses or heavy woods.” 48 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Mr. Giddings’ notes from his recent personal experience with the species are im full as_ follows: ‘‘A common summer resident in this (Jackson) Co. Not known except to the ornitholo- gist and collector. The home of this species is in the thickets of brush and_ bramble, builds its nest unknown to those who pass close by. The nest is suspended from the fork of some small bush much where it within a few feet of composed of dead leaves, grass and strips of grape- vine bark. Generally somewhat ragged on the outside. Four eggs seem to be the usual num- the ground, ber and I never found any other in complete sets. Nests mostly well concealed and hard to find. I have found the best is to get down and creep on the ground, and by looking up, the nest can often be found quite easily. ‘This species is, to me, the most interesting of the Vireos, and I hardly ever tire of listen- ing to its lively song, or watch it flit from bush to bush. Near my place is a thicket of hazel, black-berry, sumach, and a few small oak trees interspersed; just the place for Bell’s Vireo, and I can hear it singing at most any time during the summer from my doorstep, way June 9, 1895, I started outto — find some nests and soon suc- ceeded in finding two. The first was hung from a small hazel bush, four feet above the ground and contained two eggs. Nest measured 3 in. deep; diameter outside; cavity I1}xIq. June 11, 4 eggs; they averaged’ .68x.50, pure white, quite well spotted with red. The second nest was in a place where the bushes were quite low; was hung from fork of hazel bush three— The nest was composed of leaves, grass, bark feet from ground. of grape-vine and plant down, lined with fine grass and hair. Measured four inches deep; 2} in. in diameter on the outside; 1} in. deep by 14 in. inside. Con- tained four eggs above the aver- age size and pure white with a very few small red spots. Eggs measured .74x.52 average, with scarcely any difference in them. “T have not found this bird imposed upon by the Cowbird.” Our readers will realize that to cultivate the acquaintance of the little Greenlets is to gain health, pleasure and profit—health from walks in the leafy woodlands and — exercise in the fragrant air; pleas- ure from the music of their voices and study of their ways; and profit from health, pleasure and the priceless teachings of Nature. | 3in. in © r 1 ee he IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 49 s @ilie .5 Jowa (rnitholodist. A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Ornithology and Oology. DAVID l.- SAVAGE, . EDITOR AND PUBLISHER. SUBSCRIPTION RATES. One year 40 cts. Single copy, 10 cts. ADVERTISING RATES. 1 inch - $ .50 2 inches - 2 : . ey) ¥% column 1.70 I column 3.00 I page 5.00 Entered as second class mail matter at the Post Office, Salem,lowa. Address ail communications to David L. Savage, Salem, Iowa. Notes and News. We have received a very com- plete list of Iowa birds from J. 2 DeVine of Chicago, Ill., form- erly from Iowa. regret, Much to our we cannot publish the list in the I. O. for lack of space. Mr. D. S. Ebersold of Oceanus, Florida, collector of natural his- tory specimens—his ad is on an- other page of this magazine— Was once an lowa boy. He fol- lowed the plow, hoed corn and did other rural work in Butler Co., and has many relatives there now, The Naturalist and Collector of Abington, Ill., edited by P. Wilber Shoup, has been discon- tinued as it did not receive suf- ficient patronage to warrant its continuance. Mr. Paul Bartsch of Burling- ton, Iowa, reports the taking ofa Barn Owl at that place on Nov. 22 eae ONS The American Ornithologists’ Union held their Thirteenth Congress at Washington, D. C., on” Noy. 12-15, 1895, with) an average attendance of fifty orni- thologists. The officers elected by the Union for the year, were as follows: President, William Brewster; Vice Presidents, Rob- ert Ridgway and C. Hart Mer- John H. Sage; Treasurer, William Dutcher. Di Ae ah OOlC wn EnemaGiicn tinguished scientist of Philadel- pia, died sOce ii, y1 805-7 tan lanta, Ga., to which place he had rlam; Secretary, gone to take charge of the Pen- sylvania mineral exhibit. Dr. Foote was born in Hamil- ton, N. Y., Feb: 6, 1346. Soom at thes staus University of Michigan in 1867,, after graduating he was appointed assistant pro- fessor of chemistry and mineral- ogy in the lowa State College, which place he held for five years, 50 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. being very successful as a teacher. In 1875 he moved to Philadel- phia, and began the building up of his ‘now world wide business in minerals and scientific books. He was married in 1872, to Miss Augusta Matthews of Iowa, who, with two sons and a daughter, survives him. His business will be continued by Warren G. Foote, a son of the deceased, as manager. Mr. J. H. Brown, Iowa City, ‘“‘T shot three Great- er Redpolls on Jan. 11, and one the .13th inst. doubtedly of the variety Acanthis _la., writes: They were un- linaria rostrata (Coues). I have never seen mention of this variety occurring in the state before. Mr. John V. Crone has a live Snowy Owl which was. wing- tipped and captured near Mara- thon, Iowa, about Dec, 20. He is thriving on a diet of meat of different kinds, including sparrow, turkey, grouse and pork; diversi- fied by occasional bites from his captor’s fingers. Prof. Gus. Walters, Falls, Iowa, writes: taking Cedar ‘We. are interest in birds here. Have captured the Pur- ple Finch and Rusty Grackle. Secured a fine Meadow Lark, Dec. 27—rather late for him. some The Northwestern Ornitho- logical Association held its second annual meeting at Portland, Ore., Dec. 27, 1895. The forenoon devoted to business; the afternoon to reading of papers Was and election of officers. officers chosen were; Wm. L. Finly, Pres.; “Ellis F Sigaaiiem Ist Vice: Pres:; Guy Strkereeg Vice Pres.; Arthur 1, Popegsees D.C; ‘Bord; Treas: The N. O. A. is a live associ- ation, as is shown by the fact that the past year it has compiled a list of Oregon birds embracing over twice as many as were ever before contained in a list of birds This list is being the Association’s official organ, the Oregon Natur- alist and will number 254 species and sub-species. Hereafter the Association will from of Oregon. published in admit associate members any part of America, and its mem- bers expect to have a phenom- enal growth during the next few, months.. For particulars address the secretary at McMinnville, Ore. A. I. Johnson, DesMoines, Ia., while out collecting Nov. 25, saw two Robins and Dec. 3, secured two Red-winged Blackbirds from a flock of 8. There | ee IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. ? 51 i New Books and other publications will be reviewed in this department. LE7AAA Z—“CAES- Authors wishing publications reviewed should send them to the Editor, who will examine them personally and give them due consideration. “A. O. U. Check-list of Amer- ican Birds.” This book was pre- pared by a committee appointed DyetemUnion, namely, Elliott Coues, J. A. Allen, Robert Ridg- way, William Brewster, and H. W. Henshaw. This is the sec- ond and_ revised the original edition was published in 1885. The new edition includes numerous additions and nomen- clatural changes made since the publication of the first, together with a revision of the ‘‘habitats” of the species and sub-species, but omitting the Code of Nomen- clature, which was published sep- manele tsQ2, - It. is’ expected that the new Check-hst will re- main without another edition for It should be in the hands of every ornitholo- gist. “The Popular Science News” edition, at least ten years. for January is much improved This fills a special field; it seems that it is intended more for the gene- and enlarged. magazine ral reader than the specialist, yet neither can afford to be without it. Probably there is no paper in America that is doing more to popularize science and to interest the general public in scientific than this journal. We do not hesitate to recom- mend it to any one who desires to keep abreast with the discov- eries and news world. knowledge, in the scientific The December, 1895, issue of the ‘‘Nidologist” shows a marked improvement by way of illustra- tions. Among the features above par, the elegant cover presents itself. of Heligoland, ‘‘the magnetic pole of the bird world,” is of con- Last.” butnot of the least value, is the half- tone of the bretheren at the A. O. U. Congress at Washington; this illustration alone is design on the The view summate interest. worth a year’s subscription. “The American Zoologist and Journal of Science” made its ap- 52 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. pearance with the new year. The Hest ussie|-Of Vol. «i, thirty-six pages of very interest- ing and instructive reading mat- ber, Jit ds iedited. by, J-- Hobart Egbert of Holyoke, Mass. contains Publications Received. Barrows, Walter B., and E. A: Schwarz. ‘‘The Common Crow of the United States,” Bull. No. 6, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1895, pp. 1-98, 1 pl. 2 figs. Beal, Tae a> * hhe: Crow Blackbirds and Their Food.” Re- printed from the Year book of the Wives: Dept: of Agriculture. for 1894. Pp. 233-248, figs. I. Beal, F. E. L. ». «Preliminary Report on the Food of Wood- Beekers: os eoull: » No.7, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1895, pp. I-33, I pl., 3 figs. Burns, Frank L. ‘‘The Amer- ican Crow, (corvus americanus) with special reference to its nest and, eggs.” Bull: No: 5, Wil- sons, Orn, ‘Chap. of Agassiz Assn., 1895, pp. 1-41. Fisher,A. K. ‘‘Hawks and Owls from the Standpoint of the Farm- er.” Reprinted from the Year- book of the U. S. Dept. of Agri- culture for 1894. Pp. 215-232, Bive- dies. S. and revised edition. Jones, Lynds. Bull. No. 4, Wilson Orni. Chap. of Agassiz Assn., 1895, pp. I-22. Lucas, F: A. “‘The=Wonemes of Woodpeckers.” Bull. No. 7, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1895. Pp. 35-41, pl. 3. “The A. O. U. Check-list of North American Birds.” Second Issued by Ornithologists’ Pp. 1-372, I-XII, the American Union, 1895. 8vo, cloth. ‘‘The Nidologist.” 4. “Dec 1sey: Vol. 3,-No. ‘‘Popular Science News.” Vol. 30, No. 1. January, 1896. “The Oologist,” - Vol ig ahe: 12. December, 1895. “Oregon Naturalist.” Vol. 3, No. 1. January, 1896. ‘‘Gameland.” . Vol. 8, Novem December, 1895. “The American Zoologist and Home Journal of Science.” Vol. TINOw Ts “Game and Shooting.” TINGS gE: Vol. ‘“‘The Linnean Fern Bulletin.” Vol. 4, No. 1, January 1896. For the lack of space, we can- not give further mention of pub- lications received. In our next issue we shall give more space to this department. ‘‘Minotiltidae.”” [owa ()rnithologist SUPPLEMENT No.1. Salem, la., January, 1896. We do not desire to expose the private affairs of the I. O. A. to puUlicaWence sthe necessity of the I. O. Supplement. Copies are sent only to the mem- pers onthe J. ©. A. the general Among Ourselves. I desire to extend thanks to those members who have sent in new subscribers. Continue the good work. The Chairman of the Finance Committee says: ‘‘Wake up the boys, in your next issue, to secure subscribers and mem- bers—we must have them to suc- ceed.” Always when you write enclose some note on the birds. iaenomcer, of the I. O. A., and chairman of each committee, is requested at the close of every quarter to send a report of their work. SE. Some time ago I forwarded Miewuames of Guy C. Rich, Sioux City, and M. Earl Halvor- sen, Forest City, for active mem- bership and W. E. Mulligan, Grand Rapids, Mich., for asso- Remember this on April ciate, to the executive council; have not heard from them yet. Please be more prompt. yeAccording to Sec, 8 of the By- / Laws, the annual dues of active _ members are $1.00, payable Jan- uary Ist of each year. If you? have not paid your dues for 1896, this paragraph is marked with a blue pencil. Please do not delay (remitting. : men g OLR AT , a Mr. E. B. Webster, “Cresco, Ia., is doing the printing of Vol. II for $80.00, same to be made in two payments: first, when sec- ond issue is completed, and_sec- ond, when the fourth printed. We have 500 printed of each issue. issue is copies Financial Report of the I. O. A. From Oct. 1st to Dec. 31st, 1895. RECEIPTS. Mir@ien MaSwMoe rs EWES oo oaccodsoosonace $9.50 SMOSOMPO MOMS TOs Oy so becsoscnvaodcccc 6.85 Total ev aieegae $16.35 EXPENDITURES. Rostagie: tonvll| Oks iner esc ae tea tes $ .28 Postage on manuscript and electros 10) (HHESEO cadoacece gn gabootooodtons .80 Breizhtionul. ©Omtrom™CresScomss sees 78 Postage for Editor-Treasurer.......... 2.24 hotalinysanatsee $4.10 AMT OnihanG: ton Gilantenuyss2) serves $12.25 DEficiencyOctrtstn sane cccrisnecter $12.25 Acc’ts balance Dee. 31st. 1895. DAVID L. SAVAGE, Treas. Notice. The compilation committee ap- pointed at the First Annual Con- gress of the I. O. A. has begun work and expects, by the time of the Second Congress, to be held next summer, to. make a good showing on a report which is to be, if possible, a complete ‘‘An- notated List of the Birds of Iowa.” In order to make this list as comprehensive as possible, it is earnestly requested that every member send to the chairman of the compilation committee a marked check list showing every species on which he can furnish original, authentic Iowa _ notes. These lists will be examined and whenever a species is noted on which the report of the committee is lacking, incomplete or unsatis- factory, the notes on that species will be sent for. The marked check lists should all be in the hands of the undersigned before May 31, 1896. This early notice is given in order that members may observe, with especial cau-— tion, during the spring of ’96, for fresh and valuable notes. notes should bear particularly on the food, breeding habits, abun- dance of individuals, economic value, and migrations. Fraternally, Cuas. R. KEYEs, Chairman Com. Address until May 31st, Blairs- town, Iowa. i a These ; FOUND d Friend:— Undoubtedly you have been looking for the January Iowa ITHOLOGIST ever since the first of January. That issue was v urinted that month by E. B. Webster, Cresco, Iowa, and he doxed up and took same to the depot and started it for Salem yy freight. The box miscarried in some way, for it has not eached Salem yet. We expect that it will be found, if it is not y July, we will print the issue again. The subscribers need have no fear that they will not receive four numbers for their “year subscription. We very much regret the delay. ‘ Yours faithfully, Davip L. SAVAGE. American Sparrow Hawk. Falco sparverius. (SD) {hie 2 [owa (rnithologist Wiol. 2. Salem, [a., April, 1896. No. 3. Pottawattamie Co. BY E. E. IRONS, COUNCIL BLUFFS. wilat pleasanter sight can there be to the student- lover of Nature, than the alter- nate patches of woodland and meadow dotting the landscape, -enlivened by Nature’s voices and made yet more joyous myriad _ by the sunshine of a day in early June? How happy the hours we spend in contemplation of the wonders of creation, as we wan- _ der in the grassy fields or rest in _ the shaded grove. Yet, while we fain would lin- ger on and in this paradise, we are brought to realize that all spots are seemingly not as favor- ed as this one which we recall. If we would meet Nature in all her garbs, we must not remain in one locality but go where dif- With let us leave rivers and wooded valleys and travel some miles over the prairie. ferent conditions exist. this aim, out Picture in your mind, corn- fields, dotted over with blades, with here and there a stretch of pasture land. The sun green beats down with steady heat, the forerunner of August days to We seek some spot where we may escape the sun’s rays. come. Down a valley, or draw, we see a clump of willows, their shad- ows offering an inviting refuge. They follow the windings of a lit- tle spring, which, owing to the slight fall in elevation, has made the damp. close together, ground quite spongy and The trees grow very in many places being not more than three or four feet apart, their tops form- ing a perfect screen to the ground beneath. circumstances in which I renew- Such the place and ed my acquaintance with that interesting little bird, Traill’s Flycatcher. It is not my intention to leave, with any reader of this article, the impression that to meet this little bird, one must make a_ pil- erimage across the the prairies; on the contrary, I was much sur- prised to meet with it at all in the locality. I had supposed there to be very little of interest to me in my study of this _partic- ular clump of willows, as I had passed so many times without 54 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. noting anything in particular. June 15th, 1894, found sitting resting in this little grove, after a hot and unsuccessful tramp over the fields. the shade, my eyes wandering from tree to tree, suddenly there seemed to develop the form of a nest, which proved to be that of a Traill’s Flycatcher, situated in which I had berores il rose and approached and as I did so the proprietor appeared, as if me As I reclined in a sapling under passed many times to enquire into the intrusion. [| recognized the little fellow and he The nest was in architecture a typi- may have recognized me. cal specimen, placed ten feet from the ground in the crotch of and contained three ihe bird was unusually tame and hop- a_ willow, partially incubated eggs. ped about without showing much fear. . This was, in my -exper- ience, not generally the case with this flycatcher, although I have sometimes approached quite near to the birds without seeming to alarm them. My next meeting with this spe- cies occurred June 18, for I had ‘determined on a closer acquain- A little further down the valley I found my next tance. nest. This was six feet from the ground in the fork of a willow, com- posed of willow dun and fibers of bark and contained four fresh eges, Another nest was noted about this time, in process’ of con= struction, and was watched un- til nearly completed. A day or so after, on going to inspect the nest, there was nothing to be seen, Closer examimationwenes vealed a trail of material lead- On following the track marked by bits of fibers sticking to twigs and branches, a ing off through the willows. cotton ‘and rather large, slovenly nest ap- peared, and from it flewa Yellow- billed Cuckoo. On the nest was found to be lined with the from the flycatcher’s nest. inspeclion material That rain and throughout same night a_ heavy came on, and next beneath nest, lay one of her eggs, broken wind storm morning, the cuckoo’s —swift retribution—if it may be With this closed my. experience for 1894. so regarded. incident Recalling my experience and surprise of last year, I one day set out for the scene of my former investigations. My first nest was found on June 20, 1895. It was situated in a red willow crotch, 6% feet from the ground, compos- ed, like others, of bark fibers and willow down. It was quite bulky 55 IOWA OKNITHOLOGIST. for the species and rather rough in construction. It contained three nearly fresh eggs. Altogether, some ten nests with sets were examined and in all, a marked similarity existed, both in situation and construction. Sizes of nests varied to some ex- tent, but were mainly as follows: inches; Depth out- 7 5 2 1 inside 1}-27 Diameter outside, 23-3 inside, 2-24 inches. Side 2-2, inches, inches. It has not been my aim to bur- den the reader with individual description of size and markings of sets, but a short generalization There are two types of coloration to be may not be out of place. observed in the eggs of this spe- In the first, the color varies from nearly white to cies. ground a rich cream with a pinkish tinge, The spots are light chestnut brown, bold in fading when blown. marking and sometimes increas- ing to blotches, but in general are sparsely scattered over the larger end, In the second type, the ground is darker the approaching black, of much smaller size and and spots dark brown more numerous. I have observed sets having eggs of each type in . the same set, but usually eggs of the same set are similar. In one set before me, the ground color is almost white with very few markings. ° have been taken from my field-books, cover - ing observations of two years. Severaljouien) mess aside These few notes with eges, from those mentioned, were found and also allowed to hatch, but unfortunately I was un- able to watch the rearing of the young on account of limited time. Nothing could have pleased me better than to have remained with my bird friends the summer long, but business cares demanded my return and I regretfully left tor my city home with an increased love for my little itriernds of the summer. The American Crow. BY H. HEATON, GLENDALE. Paper read before the First Congress of I. O. A, The relation of the American Crow to Economics: The considerable size of the Crow and the great numbers in which it is found make it worth consideration in its relation to the welfare of mankind. Not much time need be given to it as a food product, notwith- standing that Prince Murat, while pursuing his studies in Natural History in Florida and receiving 56 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. nothing on testimony, but follow- ing the,injunction of ‘‘proving all things’, declared ‘‘zat ze crow will do, but ze buzzard is not fit toleat ) )Still: recurring of the annual political with the annual conventions, there are numbers of workers who eat crow and de- clare that it is good. If the crow: is not destined to become a food product, its agency in making hfe for man more tolerable than it would be Without. A. 1s! not to be .so briefly dismissed. It seems to have been the belief of primitive man, that the crow was more immediately under the care of the gods than any other bird; hence the Roman augur’s regard for it, which should give his name to the city, was by Romulus and Remus determined by the num- ber of crows either might observe. A land where many crows were found was a land blessed of the gods, that is, it was a land where the conditions'were favorable to But the time of this belief has gone by, and man’s existence. man wants proof of his state- ments rather than sentimental superstitions. Is the crow help- fyl to human existence ? In the New England states, many of their largest fields of corn, containing as high as two or three acres, are at times almost ruined by the depredations of the digging out the newly planted seed and eating it and pulling up the- new blades and devouring the kernel at the root. Some men indeed believe that this latter plan 1s tie crow; crow’s means of getting at worms that — are preying on the corn, and as a proof of their position they tell us they find the grain of corn still intact with the stalk, Of course, reduce “the which would otherwise be inflict- scare-Crows losses ed; at the same time furnishing nesting places for smaller birds. A still better method of guarding against the ravages of the crow, is to stretch a number of twine strings both ways across the corn- field, which the pect to be a large trap or snare crow will sus- and avoid, but will furnish mater- lal out of which orioles and many other birds may construct nests, as the device is not intended to frighten any bird but the crow. Within half a mile of my house there is a rookery or resort of the crows, where at certain seasons several hundreds congregate at nightfall and return to their sev- eral fields of labor the next morn- ing, making such a cawing at sep-. arating as to often disturb my in all the morning sleep, yet IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. | 7 years I can remember but once they have taken corn to any ser- ious extent. Some fifteen years ago they attacked a twenty acre field of corn and not only took the first planting but several re- plantings. The farmer, with two young men—his nephews—spent day after day replanting the corn the crows would take and with guns at hand would try to destroy his persecutors, but I believe their shotguns in no instance had range enough to reach the crows —which were always in a distant part of the field. Often in spring time the farm- startled by shrill cries of distress proceeding the watchful house-wife frightening crows from the poul- ing community is from try yard. But as the season ad- vances the crow grows ashamed of these outcries, and proceeds with more caution to visit the poultry yard and avoids disturbing the housekeepers already overtaxed A little care on his part enables him to with numerous cares. secure aS many eggs from the barn-yard, and at the same time leave the weary house-wife in peace. Some crows capture mice, grass- hoppers, crickets, white grubs, etc,, for the Ornithologist of the Agricultural Department has dis- sected hundreds of crows and found the above named food in their stomachs, but the crow also feeds on the berries of the poison Ivy, voiding the seeds broadcast over the land and thus filling it with this, and also other noxious plants. The crow also destroys the eggs and young of many birds, such as the quail, prairie hen, meadow-lark, oriole, and in fact of almost all birds, and by such destruction prevents the hundreds of birds thus destroyed, from do- ing far more good at clearing up the insects and other pests that prey on the farmer’s crops, than the crows themselves do. After all, is it not easy to answer the question, jury or a help to man ?” Many small birds have nests Can ‘“‘Is the crow an in- and rear their young in the same copse of brushland where the Metal have seen a crow rifle the nest of crows by hundreds resort. a meadow-lark that had been ex- posed by the mowing machines, and the pitiful notes of the mother lark did .not save one of her help- less brood from the monster. Sometimes a crow seems to be- come a rogue to a much greater extent than is common. One such visited my door yard every day, several years since. It evidently had been shot at, for 58 _ IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. one wing had _ hagdly enough feathers with which to fly—indeed the appearance of this crow was disreputable in the extreme. A hen had secreted her nest in the door yard and although we had sought it a number of times, we could not find it. However, the crow came down into the yard one day and found it at once and when I followed to see what he was at, his beak and all his breast were dripping with the eggs he had broken. Neither did he care for the insults heaped upon him by king-birds, and other birds, but would pro- ceed deliberately to their nests and rob them. One day I saw him approach the nest ofa blue-jay hidden in a cedar tree. erackles, orioles, In vain was the attacks of a score of grackles and other birds, and when the blue-jay realized that all onposition was in vain, with a heart-broken cry, it abandoned the nest to the marauder. Every observer of birds has, no doubt, witnessed such scenes, and has been led to entertain a_pre- judice against the crows, yet Na- ture is all the time no doubt con- serving her forces, what needs driving some from natural to artificial en- vironments, restricting restricting, and man will more often prove his wisdom by letting Nature’s work alone, than by try- ing to rectify her ways with his rough hand. Warblers of lowa. BY MORTON E. PECK, LA PORTE CITY, IOWA. Paper read before the First Congress of EO: Ay ITH comparatively tew ex- ceptions, the Warbler fam- ily embraces our most highly col- In size this group is second only to the Sparrow and Finch tribes and its limits are much better de- fined, though the Terrestrial and Fly-catching Warblers verge closely on the Thrushes, Vireos, and Fly-catchers. The American Warblers are a distinct family of birds though closely allied to the Old World typical Warblers. But will not permit a discussion of the affinities of the group. In spite of the brilliant color- ation of the birds and their unique position the feathered tribe, but few species are popu- This is owing to ored species of birds. among larly known. their shy and retiring habits and partially, perhaps, to the fact that during migration, while the great body of them is with us, they are almost entirely silent. Thirty six species of Warblers space, IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 59 have been known to occur within the limits of the state, though several ot these may be consid- ered as stragglers. In these brief notes I shall at- tempt little more than merely to touch upon the habits and range of the various species. I shall say little of their breeding as most of them pass the summer beyond our borders. Mniotilta varia(Black and White Creeper. This is one of the com- mon though far from the most abundant species during the mi- eration season. It breeds through- out the Mississippi valley, though rarely with us. I have never met with its nest though the young, not full-fledged, have been ob- served repeatedly. It is solitary in habit and may always be ob- served the branches of large trees like a Brown Creep- er. The number of species ob- servable in any locality varies little from season to season. Protonotaria citera (Prothono- tary Warbler). This the rare species, extremely so in niemonnern half of the state. “1 have observed it at LaPorte City, which is, I believe, the highest latitude from which it has yet been reported this side of the It is found al- most exclusively in low thickets scouring is one of Mississippi River. and swamps. It is said to breed most rarely in the extreme south- eastern part of the state. Helmitherus vermivorus (Worm eating Warbler.) I have never met with this species, though Mr. Lynde Jones informs me in a let- ter of recent date, that it ‘‘is not uncommon during the migrating season”. It is a southern species —central lowa being the north- enn mt oi tts sramec: an Oiemits habits I can say nothing. Helminthophila pinus (Blue- winged Warbler.) This is a com- mon species, breeding through- Cut tes wWinikedy States erange amet is a beautiful little bird but with a somewhat harsh and rasping voice) Ih is vusually, tom bermect with in open glades and along the borders of woods. The nest is a dainty little structure placed in a low bush or on the ground. Helminthophila chrysoptera (Blue Golden-winged Warbler). This handsome species is com- mon, though not often observed, on account of its habit of keeping in the tops of the tall trees, where its weak and wheezy song may be heard almost constantly during migration. Dr. Coues says it breeds throughout its United States! mange sons ll ehavermewes heard of a nest occurring in the state. If a breeder at all it is very 60 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. rare. Helminthophila ruficapilla Nashville Warbler). Though properly an eastern species, this bird is not uncommon with us during migration. It is a small and obscure species, usually as- sociated with the Orange-crowned. The two may often be observed in large loose flocks, searching for insects amongst the fallen leaves in low open woods. Helminthophila aestiva (Yellow Warbler). In habits this bird closely resembles the preceding, though in color it is still more dull and obscure and is less com- mon. It is seldom seen among tall trees—living almost entirely on the ground and among _brush- wood. Helminthophila peregrina (Ten- nesse Warbler). one of the most irregular in its This species is migratory habits, sometimes ap- pearing in a locality in countless numbers, then vanishing for sev- eral successive seasons, It is the noisiest of all the Warblers dur- ing migration. The ring with its shrill, monotonous song from morning, till night, though the bird itself is seldom seen, for it does not usually ap- pear in great numbers till the leaves are out, when its uniform olive green color effectually con- tree-tops ceals it. It is a small species and active, getting its food by ~ darting about amongst the denser foliage near the tops of the trees. It passes far. north to “breem Compsothlypis americana (Blue Yellow-backed Warbler: Parula Warbler). This is the smallest and daintiest of all our Warblers. though seldom seen in great numbers, It has a curious habit of hovering like a humming-bird about the tips of long branches and seizing small It is: -commion; insects. It is the least suspicious of the Warbler family and may often be approached to within a The peculiar coloring and habits of this species makes few feet. it a favorite with ornithologists, In migration it is almost as_pre- carious as the Tennessee. Dendroica tigrina (Cape May Warbler). ing to the ornithologist on ac- count of some remarkable fea- Fifteen years ago the Cape May Warblers tures that it presents. were confined almost exclusively to the east side of the Mississip2i, and their occurrence on the west side was considered accidental. Now the great body of the species on the west side and still continues a steady ad- vance toward the plains. migrate Of aJl our Warblers ~ ‘this species is the most interest- The IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 61 cause of this change is an un- solved problem though probably connected with some variation of food supply. It is one of the largest and most beautiful of the Warblers, richly though not bril- hantly colored. Usually found on the ground in swampy places or near stagnant pools. Dendroica aestiva (Yellow War- bler.) This is the most familiar of the whole group. It breeds abundantly farm-houses in towns, and in fact in every lo- cality where bushes and small trees are to be found. Its bril- liant coloring and lively and quar- about relsome disposition makes it very conspicuous. No description of the habits of a species so well known is necessary. Dendroica czrulescens (Black- throated Blue Warbler.) This can not be considered as one of our common Warblers though in many localities it is far from rare during migration. In ap- pearance it is very striking, differ- ing from all the other members of the family in being all in solid colors, sharply defined. Though dressed in somber tints, it Is, with two or three exceptions, our most beauliful Warbler. No- thing can surpass the exquisite effect of the jet black of the throat, verging sharply on the snow white of the under parts and clear deep blue of the upper, together with the bandediimcanle: sit slow in its movements and _ is the lower beautifully is somewhat commonly to be seen on ground or among _ the branches of trees. Dendroia coronata (Yellow- Warbler.) Our abundant species, coming every spring often before the snow is entirely rumped most in countless thousands, gone; indeed it has been known to endure a temperature of 20° below zero without apparent in- convenience. It is not strictly insectivorous, but often subsists for a long period upon berries. The habits of the Yellow-rump are too familiar to need discussion, It is an interesting fact that in mi- gration the females usually ap- pear several days before the males. They pass far north to breed. Dendroica Maculosa. lia ‘Warbler: Black Warbler.) This and graceful bird is one oi the dheyeane (Magno- and Yellow elegant and showiest of his kind. seldom seen in great numbers, but are very conspicuous on account of their bright movements and habit of keeping coloring, lively among the low branches of trees in orchards and near houses. The range of this bird does not extend 62 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. any farther west than Iowa, being considered rare Nebraska. It is a rapid migrant, the whole bulk of the species ap- in Kansas and pearing aud disappearing within two weeks. Its summer home is north of the United States border. Dendroica czrulea (Cerulean Warbler.) Of all the North American Warblers the Cerulean is unquestionably the most beau- tiful. mon species during migrations, It is in reality quite acom- and by no means a rare summer resident, but its extreme shyness and habit of keeping exclusively in the tops of the tallest trees prevent it from being often ob- served, but its sharp, monoto nous song be heard almost con- stantly during the whole summer, may The nest is a very small structure placed among the slender upper branches of some tall tree in the open woods, and is rarely to be founds, > Though, as Drs Coues says, the Cerulean Warbler has no warm colors, none of the gaudier species can compare -:with this in the exquisite azure blue of the back, bordering the snowy white of the under parts, the nar- row collar of deep, blue-black spots and the very long and beau- tifully banded tail, It is a small species and extremely active and restless. The spots on the breast cause it to be frequently mistaken for-the female of the Black- polled Warbler. Dendroica pensylvanica (Chest- nut-sided Warbler). A common and well species, dainty and debonnaire. known very The pre- vailing color is unusually light, — which makes it quite conspicuous. It is most frequently observed among small trees and bushes, along the borders of woods and about houses. Breedsquite com- monly in many localities in the state, though the main body of the species passes northward. It is much more abundant in east- ern than in western Iowa, and is quite rare west of our borders. Dendroica (Bay- breasted Warbler). This curiously marked Warbler is one of the less common species, castanea It is fre- quently seen in company with the Cape May and closely resembles the latter in its habits as well as in general color. Its western range is about the same as the Chestnut-sided, though it does not breed within our borders. Dendroica striata (Black-poll Warbler). mon birds of this family. One of the very com- It is the last to migrate, often linger- ing in our woods till the last days of May or even far into June. No other Warbler has so extreme a | IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 63 range of migration: its limits are the equator and the Arctic ocean. Economically the Black-poll is the most important of the family. It arrives just when the trees are swarming with destructive larve, and its usefulness in destroying these can scarcely be overesti- mapreda It is very active species, and extremely a large and not plain in dress. Dendroica blackburniz (Black- burnian Warbler). The most richly colored of our birds of this family. The brilliant orange of the breast resembles a flame of fire darting among the trees. A very active bird, choosing the up- per branches of tall trees and seldom seen outside of the woods. Common with us, though not abundant, growing scarcer west- ward and hardly found at all in Kansas and Nebraska. A general favorite with ornithologists on ac- count of its high coloring. Dendroica virens (Black-throat- ed Green Warbler). This is a most curiously marked species. The throat and upper breast is jet black, with a black entire stripe running down each side; belly, pure white; cheeks, bright yellow; back, bright, rich. green, with black stripes. abundant during though rather shy, and its some- It is usually migration, what harsh, shrill song may be heard incessantly. Dendroica vigorsii (Pine Creep- ing Warbler. One. of our less common Warblers. It is a hardy species, coming early in the spring and wintering chiefly in the U.S. It is said to breed throughout its range, but no nests from Iowa have been yet reported. A large, stout Warbler, and usually seen creeping about the: bodies of large trees: Dendroica (Red- poll Warbler). This plainly clad bird is very abundant with us and very characteristic in its habits. slow of motion, palmarum It is easily recognized by a pecu- liar up-and-down movement of the tail resembling that of the Water Thrushes. gration large numbers of Red- During mi- polls are frequently seen on the mud about water- drift- wood or hovering over the water after ponds and courses, creeping among insects. They migrate early and pass to the far north to breed. Dendroica Warbler. of this species has been known to discolor (Prairie But a single specimen occur: this was taken at West iberbys ot eastern bird and must be consider- I have never seen a specimen and can is a southern and ed accidental with us. 64 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. give no description of its habits. Seiurus aurocapillus (Golden- crowned Thrush: Oven Bird). The terrestrial Warblers differ widely in appearance and habits from the rest of the family. The Oven Bird is the most familiar species of the genus. It is abundant with us during the migration, and a common summer resident in many localities. Breeds in dense hilly woods. The appearance of the nest, from which the bird takes its name, and the bird’s habit of feigning a broken wing when startled from the eggs, are well known to every ornithologist. Seiurus noveboracensis (Grin- nell’s Water Thrush). dant migrant and quite common An abun- during the breeding season. Near- ly always found in dense woods near water-courses and ravines. The peculiar see-saw movement of the tail gives it a very odd ap- pearance. The nest is placed under a small, projecting trunk, On “amass of roots or drift. A shy, solitary bird, preferring the lonliest localities, which it en- livens with its loud, rapid song. Seiurus motacilla (Louisiana Water Thrush). Closely resem- bles the latter in appearance and habits. A southern bird, not common with us, seldom passing beyond the southern half of the state. are so nearly alike as to be often confused. Geothlypis formosa (Kentucky Warbler). This is a southern bird, coming but rarely over our border. Ina recent letter to me Mr. Lynde Jones says: ‘‘The Kentucky Warbler was taken at Burlington, on May 11, 1884, by ‘Dr.- F. Knitham and Prot Ga Reed. Ican find no other au- thentic record for the state.” I have taken a specimen, however, at LaPorte City, and this is,I be- lieve, the most northerly point it has been known to occur this side of the Mississippi. It is a large, handsome Warbler, somewhat resembling the Maryland Yellow- throat in marking, though much larger and not so sprightly in its movements. It is usually found in swamps and among dense un- derbrush. ' Geothlypis agiler (Connecticut Warbler.) I have included this species in my list of Iowa Warblers, for, though I have no absolutely authentic record of its occurrence in the state, it un- doubtedly crosses our borders during migration, as We are on the direct line of its route. The ornithologist above quoted fur- nishes me with a doubtful record, and I myself once observed a The two Water Thrushes. — ————— ee IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 65 large, dull-colored Warbler which “probably belongs to this species, @ but which IJ failed to secure. It is considered one ‘of the rarest Warblers of the Mississippi val- levee “ymarked peculiarity of this species is the fact that it mi- erates through the Mississippi valley and southward by way of New England. In habits it resembles the last species. Geothlypis philadelphia(Mourn- ing Warbler). This is one of our less common birds of this family, though not usually considered fobemluns extremely shy and re- northward tiring and is generally to be look- ed for late in the season among underbrush and ravines. The remarkable coloring, along from which it derives its name, makes it easily recognizable. Its move- ments are aclive and restless and it may often be seen darting in and out among heaps of drift- wood, like a wren. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis (Western Maryland Yellow- throat). The habits and appear- ance of this bird are too famil- iar to all ornithologists to need description. It breeds abund- antly in our meadows and marshes and its dainty nest and curious- ly marked eggs are all well known to every collector. Its habits resemble those of the preceding, though it is usually found among tall grass and along the borders of woods. Ictera virens (Yellow-breasted Chat.) Our largest Warbler. A handsome bird, though rarely seen on account of its extreme shyness. Almost persistent song- ster, beginning his endlessly var- ied strain at about two in the morning and continuing without intermission till dark. The song consists of the most odd and whimsical jumble of chattering, whistling and gurgling noises ever produced by any bird, with many notes of rare sweetness. The reputation of the Chat asa ventriloquist is well established. The breeds plentifully throughout the state, wherever a suitable Nearly every gooseberry or hazel species place can be found. thicket or growth of young shoots where a piece of young timber has been cut off, affords a nest- ing place for one or two pairs. The nest is large and conspicu- ous and a great favorite with the Cow Birds. Sylvania Mitrata. (Hooded Warbler). This handsome War- bler is one of the rarest that en- ters the state. I have observed it once at LaPorte City, which is the most northerly record of its 66 occurrence which I can find west of the Mississippi. It can not be considered as an accidental vis- itor, however, as it has been re- ported from a number of locali- ties. The species may be recog- nized at a great distance by the opening and closing of the fan- like tail. Of its habits I can say nothing from observation. Sylvania Pusilla (Wilson’s War- bler: Black-capped Yellow War- bler). The most widely distrib- uted of all our Warblers. It is found throughout the whole of the U.S. A neat, shy, little bird common in the migrating season. Usually met with among thickets and along the edges of woods. Its diminutive size and retiring habits make it inconspicuous. Sylvania canadensis (Canada Warbler). This beautiful bird does not occur abundantly with us, though it is not uncommon. It is properly an eastern bird, Iowa being the western limit of its range. It prefers the deep woods and large trees, where its presence is made known by its shrill and rapid song, without which it would be seldom ob- served. Setophaga ruticilla (American Redstart). Little need.be said of a bird which, if not at present, was a few years ago the most abundant IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. summer resident of our forests. Not an acre of wood-land could, be found on which there were not two or three nests and often twice that number. The Red- start is of a very umnsuspicious nature, and the observer may study his graceful movements and beautiful plumage without incon- venience. The nest is a small and compact structure, usually placed on a limb of a small sap- ling or among the drooping branches of an elm. This closes the list of War- blers so far as known, Others may occasionally occur within the state, but I can find no record of them. Their peculiar habits, their gorgeous coloring, their great economic importance, and the rareness of many species make this family one of the most inter- esting to the ornithologist. Much remains to be learned, however, regarding them, and it is hoped that these brief notes may serve to incite some of our students of bird-life to a closer observation of so large and important a group. The Red-tailed Hawk (Butes borealis). BY CARL FRITZ HENNING, BOONE, IA. T IS the middle of March. The return of sunny days finds me on my way to my favorite collect- : IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 67 ing grounds, ‘‘The Ledges”. Our robins have been with us a month—the blue-birds nearly as long. The migratory birds have been moving continually since the latter part of February, the first robin being’ reported Feb. 18, 1894. Trees and shrubs are budding, the blue-birds, the harbingers of spring, are warbling everywhere, Going south from the city, we pass the home of the Hon. Chas. Aldrich. It seems that the birds krow that their friend and pro- tector lives here for we see many robins and blue birds by the house. The shrubbery along the ravine south of the Aldrich home is full of noisy tree sparrows, the welcome notes of the meadow and prairie horned larks come from yonder prairie and ploughed field. Look across yonder field—can you see the meadow-lark with his rich markings of golden-yellow and black—he is. fat and plump enjoying to be with us once more after his sojourn in the sunny south. As we near the woods his sweet and melodious notes come to us with the breeze. At mas) time of the year the larks are more shy than ing the summer months. _ By 10 o'clock my friend and I dur- reached the southeast edge of the timber. Here we concluded to eat our lunch before going into the heavy part of the woods. Luncheon over, we start down Peas pranch a pretty stream) or water which passes through the Ledges and empties into the Des Moines river. The scenery along this tiny stream is romantic. The huge rocks and bluffs of sand- stone are the ledges proper. Here is the favorite nesting place of the Red-tailed Hawk. Old trees contain the treasures of the Bubo. That the Red-tail Hawks have idle during the few weeks of good weather, is proved not been by the new nest in a basswood Nests of last year had been added to improved. tree across the ravine. and old my ‘‘There is the Three Red-tails circling in the vicinity looked mdecd.) Why friend had no more than stared to climb the tree until the hawks were upon the scene of action— Coming to an nest that looked promising, friend said to me, nest we are looking for.” favorable screaming and circling around the nest, which I have no doubt was theirs—the two most concerned being amale anda female. Reach- ing the nest, my friend reported it empty. We found several 68 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. other nests of this species, but all with the same result. Crossing Pea’s Branch which is still frozen overin places, we go in a southerly direction and the DesMoines ice has all dis- soon came to river—here the appeared. Large flocks of crows, several chickadees and downies were observed, finding no hawk’s nest here we retraced our steps until we came to a fork of Pea’s Branch. nest in the very top of a forest Seeing a large, bulky monarch, we decide to follow the fork. This fork of Pea’s Branch passes through a wilder and more romantic part than Pea’s Branch proper. Rocks of all descriptions and sizes are scattered along its banks ine heavy timber on either side—the sparkling in wild confusion. steep ravines — the springs flowing over solid rock, all add to the scene of beauty. Nests there were in plenty, but we had evidently come ahead of time, as none contained eggs. We decided to return the latter part of the month. After shoot- ing two fox squirrels, we wended our way homeward. The first of April I am again at the home of the Red-tail Buzzard. But what a change has taken place during this short time ! Only four days ago a second win- ter seemed to have come to stay. Snowing all afternoon, the next morning it had turned into a reg- ular blizzard, snowing all day. Ducks and geese returned south; black-birds south for several days. continued moving Swans become, bewildered and many were shot. Ponds and lakes were again frozen over. A hunt- ing party that had gone to Clear Lake the’ first of the weekjire= turned with over a _ hundred ducks: teal, shovellers, butter- ball, red-heads, mallards, pin- tail and scau> ducks. To-day it isclear and warm— an ideal day of returning spring. The sand-hill crane is circling ‘round and ’round—going higher each time—their bluish-gray bod- ies and wings glistening in the Soon the leader decides on the direction sunshine at each turn. and starts northward, the others following in wedge shape. Linger- ing snow drifts along the sides of the ravines give back the uncloud- The rays of the morning sun. chicadees are noisy, lively and busy—gleaning their food—what pretty little black-capped beau- — ties they are! In the brush, many fox sparrows are flitting — from branch to branch. A _ song sparrow startled at our approach glides swiftly through the brush IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 69 low along the ground. The cheerful notes of the phcebe are heard at intervals. At noon- time we arrive at the hawk’s nest that looked so two weeks ago. Sure enough, the hawk is on. The male Red- tail has been on lookout duty. At our approach he slowly sails across the ravine to the opposite side of the ledges, and there re- mains perched on the very top promising of a large tree, from which point of view he can keep his ever watchful eye on our party. I could not help but admire the pretty red of his tail as he slowly passed me. The female bird left her nest and flew in an op- posite direction from the one tak- en by her mate. Disappearing from view, she did not return until we had attempted to climb lipeeto the nest. The nest was placed in a large basswood about fifty feet from the ground—was bulky in stucture—about the size of a bushel basket and composed of sticks and twigs, mixed with The great circumference of the tree made it very difficult to reach the nest. Having the whole day before us Harry took it easy until he came to the Red-tail’s eyrie. When he held up one egg and shouted that there were two more, I went grasses and moss. wild with joy. No one but a true oologist can appreciate the sen- sations of a successtul find. taking of circled During the eggs, both hawks above the nest, at times coming very close, uttering harsh cries—those of the female were even pathetic. The eggs were brought down safely and admired by all of us. Having securely packed them in my collecting bag, we started for the river by way of the Ledges. Near the river, in a red oak, We took a set of crow’s eggs. From here we went to Crow’s Point— there obtaining a splendid view for miles around—the river curl- ing in and out—shining hke sil- ver in the sunlight. Crows, red-tail hawks and buz- zards congregate at this point in large numbers. The farmers living in the edge of the woods keep up a constant warfare against the Red-tail. Even the woodsman who has a few old hens does not spare this noble bird for fear that the ‘‘hen-hawk” will carry off his small flock of ~ poultry. His boys delight in climbing the forest giants to de- stroy the eggs. If the nest con- tains young they are thrown out of their lofty home, where only a few minutes before they were greedily devouring a field mouse 20 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. that the mother bird had caught, perhaps from the very farm yard of one of these boys. The Red-tailed Hawk renders valuable service to the farmer and should not in return for its good work be killed at every opportunity—yjust because it occasionally carries off a chicken from the poultry yard. They are merely taking part pay for valuable services rendered. In regard to the food and use- fulness of this Hawk, I can not do better than quote from _bulle- tin No. Agriculture: 2 Ue Ss, Department: ct ““Of 562 stomachs examined by the author, 54 contained poultry or game birds; 51, other birds; 273, mice; 131, other mammals; 37, batrachians and reptiles; 47, insects; 8, crawfish; 13, offal; and 89 wereempty. It has been dem- onstrated by careful stomach ex- amination that poultry and game birds do not constitute more than ten per cent of the food of this Hawk; and that all the other beneficial animals preyed upon, including snakes, will not in- crease the proportion to fifteen per cent. Thus the balance in favor of the Hawk is at least 85 - per cent,made up largely of vari- ous species of injurious rodents, that every tHoughtful farmer should remember. a. fact “It is not to be denied that a good deal of poultry is destroyed by this Hawk, but the damage done is usually among the less vigorous fowls in the late fall,and - in view of the great number of injurious rodents, as well as other noxious which _ this Hawk destroys, it should seem animals equivalent to a misdemeanor to— kill. one, .except. in. the “aciuyom The fact. that there are robbers among carrying: off poultry, Hawks, is no sound argument for exterminating any and every one. i —The Hawks and Owls of the United States in Their Relation to Agriculture, by A. Ki Pighvem MaDe ph 50: i The eggs of the Red-tailed) Buzzard are laid during the latter part of March and all of April. The handsome set of three col- lected on this day, are as follows in size and color: 2273n0eme Ground bluish white; heavily blotched and splashed © with different shades of red and brown; several dots of dark red- dish brown. 2.15x1.78. Hand-- some egg, marked nicely with cinnamon red splashes and blotch-_ 2.18x1.83. Very light, fine dots of red, but only few; also couple blotches and several greenish shell markings. | The other sets of this hawk in 43 color, ed all over. IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 71 my collection, were collected April 5th, 1891; two eggs in set. Nest large and bulky, 60 feet from ground. Another nest found this day, contained two young and the remains of a young rabbit. April 23d; three eggs in -set. 2.22x1.81. Bluish white; heavily spotted and blotched with brown and amber over the ertire egg— neaviesr on larger end. 2.25x 1.85. Few markings and dots of light brown on small end, heavily marked with brown and umber Onmlarcerend, i2.16x1.81. Very light. Blotched over entire egg with light shade of brown. Nest bulky, placed in basswood, forty- nine feet from ground. The Sparrow Hawk. BY ‘‘FALCO SPARVERIUS’. Slew to pose before the public, (see frontispiece) in this number of the Iowa Orni- thologist, a few words from my personage might be in order. You will note from the cut that age is is beginning to leave its marks upon me. The little rodent that I hold in ‘my talons is an over- grown White-footed Mouse. The weather, for a few days prior to the taking of my picture, had been extremely oppressive and hunger had begun to leave its pangs. It may be that accounts fon thestemn, Share) or muneveye and the great expansion of tail feathers. As I look back over my past life and think of the many annual ~ homes my mate and I have had, it behooves me to say that only once have my earthly posses- sions been molested by my larger bretheren—man: so it is with im- punity and without animosity that) pen these slimes) for the From the beginning until now I have spent good of humanity. the summer months in southern ° Iowa, here finding the habitation to rear my young. In the early part of June, 1890 or ’9I—on ac- count of the imperfection of my memory I can not give the exact date—when my mate was out after his breakfast, I was sitting on our four beautiful eggs, when suddenly I heard a rap on the tree. I listened, and heard it again. Although our home was 65 feet from the ground in a last years Golden-winged Wood- pecker’s nest, I trembled as my sect are wont to do on such oc- casions. Hearing the noise re- peated, I slipped out of the hole and took flight. Finding Mr. H., I told him the story and we re- turned only to find the enthusiast 72 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. striving to surmount the trunk of the oak, by, we watched proceedings. Mr. H. said it was impossible for us tostay the hand of this vertebrate. After several hours of arduous labor he reached our abode and mercilessly took all the eggs. When he regained terra firma, he said, ‘‘These are the first eggs of this speeies I have ever found, but I tell you I wouldn't take an- other climb like that for fifty like them”, so we felt pretty sure that he wouldn’t be back again that year; therefore after a Perching ourselves near few days of mourning, another set of eggs was laid in the same hole and in a fortnight four young birds were hatched, which are to-day mature specimens. It was not so bad after all, for the collector got a set of eggs and we raised a brood too. We can stand it for scientific men to take our eggs for scientific -pur- poses and even to take our lives, when our skins will be preserved in some collection as a monument to our memory for untold ages; but when the small boy and city marksman come along seeking whom they may devour, after they have had what they call the pleasure of killing us, we are left for the beasts of the field and bugs of the earth to prey upon our carcass: struction as that is what we con- demn. The Iowa ornithologists are trying to have a law enforced that will suppress those who shoot such wanton de- — only to bloody the bullet, hence ~ we esteem them as our best friends. Of Historical Interest. A. I. JOHNSON, DES MOINES, IOWA. ON. J. F. Duncombe emia Dodge, Iowa, had in his park on the evening of Dec. 4th, a herd of thirteen deer of the short tailed variety, (Cariacus leucurus). Missing two of the principal and — most lordly monarchs of the herd, the following morning, an inves- tigation took place; when lo! and behold, they were found with : antlers tightly locked and both dead. That a fierce and protracted fight had taken place, was plainly to be seen two days later, when ~ the writer of this arrived there to secure both of the bucks for the State Historical Department here in DesMoines, they having been presented to that department by Hon. J. F. Duncombe. It was commonly supposed that they had broken each other’s necks, but upon dissecting they were found perfectly sourid and no bones. broken, IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 73 except the nose of one. Both being of the same age and about the same weight, nei- ms ‘ther had any advantage over the other, and it was a battle often read ; about, but seldom has it happened that both participants could be procured to substantiate the facts of such an event having occurred. They were one mass of bruizes _—hardly a spot as large as a per- death was caused by son’s hand but what was_ bruized and several places badly gored and it was plainly to be seen that internal bleeding and exhaustion. That ‘the battle was fierce, is plainly substantiated by the results. That two perfectly healthy bucks should kill each other in one night is sufficient evidence to convince the most skeptical. The Historical Department is very lucky to secure so richa prize, and duly appreciates it. Urinator arcticus in Jackson Co. J. GIDDINGS, SABULA, IOWA. On November 15, 1895, a male Black-throated Loon was_ shot while swimming in the Mississippi river, a little way from the shore opposite the town of Sabula by Mr. W. Eldridge, who presented me with a specimen. Being doubtful of the identification of it, I sent the specimen to Dr. C. Hart Merriam, chief of division of ornithology at Washington and he identified it as above. I believe this to be a very rare species in our state, especially half way across it as thfs speci- men Was. [This is the first time this spe- , cies has been reported from Iowa. —Ed.] A Reverie. BY J. R. BONWELL, NEBRASKA CITY, NEB. I’m a dreamin’, just a dreamin’, Of the winter that is done; Of the old nests and the Owl’s eggs, And the other treasures won. I’m a thinkin’, just a thinkin’, Of the many months to come; Of the wet and soggy weather, And the new nests just begun. I’m a watchin’, just a watchin’. All the birds a flying past; The flocks of Geese and Blackbirds, And the Ducks that go so fast. I’m a waitin’, just a waitin’, For the flowery month o’ May, With its blossoms and its sweetness, And the birds who've come to stay. I’m a countin’, just a countin’, On the happy times in spring, When the birds are all a nestin’, And the woods with music ring. —From ‘‘The Nidologist.”’ 74 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. [owa (rnithologist A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Ornithology and Oology. DAVID Lk, SAVAGE, EBditor and Publisher. SUBSCRIPTION RATES. One year 40 cts. Single copy, 10 Cts. ADVERTISING RATES. I inch p .50 2 inches .go ¥% column 1.70 1 column 3.0C I page 5.00 Entered as second class mail matter at the Post Office, Salem, Iowa. Address all communications to David L. Savage, Salem, Iowa. SARAAARRA LULU Aanuennrasenannnenenenunnaeneranunennnneneunscnuneneuan> The Blue-bird, a Vision of Spring. BY LOTTO WILDWOOD, M. D., DUBUQUE, IA, He is perched on an elm near my window--- I hear his notes tender and clear— And he's singing the same song, verbatim, That he sung in that old tree last year. I admire his bright coat, for its color Is of the dear Union blue; And I know that he advocates freedom, And never a heart beat more true. Most gladly we welcome thy presence, O, thou of the dainty blue wing! For dost not thou herald the coming Of all that is lovely in spring? Because thou art here with thy carol We know the grim winter is past; And thou art one out of many That has stood the cold turbulent blast. Foreshadowed in vision of beauty Where rife the commingl'd perfume, I see the white stream through the meadow With borders of pink and blue bloom. And I sit ‘neath the shadowy maple, And list to its young, trembling leaves, While I mark the swift flight of the swallow And count their nests under the eaves. And I see the green slope by the orchard, All sprinkled with dandelion flowers; And the blcom of the apple and cherry Sweep down in pale, fairy-like showers. | And I roam all alone through the wildwood ~ Where waveth the emerald pine; ; And the red squirrel stops in its gambol To hide 'mid the dark ivy vine. Ke There are plats of bright moss in the border With tints of blue violets ’round— And I gather again for the rock-work, And mantle anew the steep mound. And I hear the sweet concert of black-birds - And the trill of the blythe little wren, And the silvery warbling of orioles Adown in the buttercup glen. Most gladly we welcome thy presence, O, thou of the dainty blue wing ! For dost thou not herald the coming Of all that is iovely in spring ? The Rambler Noticed The first Blue-bird for 1896, on the 23d of February and that they are now about as plentiful as they were in the days of long ago. That Carl Fritz Henning was out in the woods near Boone, | Ia., and collected a Great Horney ed Owl and two eggs. He says, ‘‘How is that for an early record?” That in the March ‘‘Oologist”, there was an article on ‘‘The Finding of Owls’ Nests”, from the pen of a Hawkeye collector. That the Ducks are very scarce: this spring along the small streams. Possibly they are mi-- IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 75 grating in greater abundance along the larger streams and lakes. How about it, boys ? That the Red-tailed Hawks are nesting early in VanBuren Co., Iowa, as Walter G. Savage found a nest on the 15th of March —and upon investigation found that it contained three eggs. That the Iowa Ornithologist has more subscribersin New York than in any other state in the union. hree cheers for the Empire bretheren ! That the committee to prepare a List of Iowa Birds, has com- menced work. Chas. R. Keyes at Blairstown, Ia., wants every one of the members of the I. O. A., whether rich or poor, high or low, Wise or other wise, to send to him by May 31st, a check-list of all the birds they have found in the state. Let us surprise Bro. Keyes and have the lists in before that time. Wonder what he’d think ? . That the ‘‘Rambler’” has writ- ten more than he anticipated when he took up his pencil; so he must subside, for fear he will not be allowed to come again. The Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes cafer) in Central Iowa. BY CARL FRITZ HENNING, BOONE, IA. On the last day in ’95, my friend Cal Brown brought ina fine specimen of the Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes cafer). It was a male in beautiful plumage. My friend saw only two of these rare birds. They were feeding on the ground in the edge of the woods south of his home, Dec. 29,1895, The specimen that. is now in my collection measures as follows: Penstha) U2) 30; extent) Woon WinewnOn2 co etal. 4.715 Dilley sOy The back, ramp and upper sur- face as in C. auratus (Golden- winged), but a different shade of color, a faintly reddish replacing the olivaceous tinge of the ground color. Wings and tail of the Same pattern, but the auration replaced by rubefaction. Top of head rufous (like the throat of auratus); no occipital; red cres- cent; throat and sides of head and neck clear ash, scarlet maxil- lary patches; a black pectoral semilune. Under parts, very pale lilac brown; fading to whitish on the body, marked with numer- ous round, black spots. Bill, blackish slate; feet, dark plumbe- ous. Iris, | brown. Western North America, mostly replacing the Yellow Flicker from the Rocky Mts. to the Pacific; Sitka into Mexico. In habits a perfect count- erpart of the common Flicker. — Coues, page 493. I have made a drawing of this specimen for my book, ‘‘Notes on the Birds of Boone County”. This isthe only record that I have of Colaptes cafer ever occurring in Iowa ex- cepting one specimen of the spe- cies which is at the Ames Agri- cultural College and bears the date, Ames, Iowa, Dec. 5, 1878. Does any member of the I. O. A. know of its being taken else- where in central Iowa ? Exposition by the author. CELYY iy CH (i res ZZ RSD New Books and other publications will Be reviewed in this department. wishing publications reviewed should send them to the Editor, who will examine them | personally and give them due consideration. mS Tt ae . Les Authors rf “Eggs of Native Pennsylvania Birds.” This pamphlet is based ona World’s Fair collection of birds eggs at the Great It briefly states the physical features of the state and outlines the various life-zones which affect the distribution of the birds of Following this we find a list of the collection, embraces the number of eggs in each set which were exhibited Pennsylvania. which 140 varie ties, also giving and the dates on whick they were taken. A portrait of the anthor forms a fitting frontispiece to the title voi- ume. Further along there are full page plates of groups of eggs in this coilection. two ‘‘Heads,” or ‘‘Olombia ir the W1ld- erness. Aside from the religious views—which of course we cannot give space to review in a magazine of this kind—this book is very It relates in a very fascinating man- ner the experience of a summer spent in the wilder sections of the Adrion- dsc Mountains. A party of tourists, accompanied by two guides, take ex- cursions through unbroken forests and over beautiful lakes. They have many thrilling adventures and exper- iences. The author hasa very charm- interesting. ing style of presenting details of camp life and travel, description of scenery and incidents. ; It is a work full of illustrative pur- pose, and al! lovers of nature will thoroughly enjoy its pages. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Jacobs, J. Warren, ‘‘Eggs of Native Pensylvania Birds.” Collection. Pp. 1-10; phe2 Schaeter, Theodore wile “Blec: tric Light Bug or Belostoma.” printed from the Medical Index. Pp. 1-3, plied 4 VonSwartwant, Janet, ‘Heads, or in the Wilderness”, Pp. 1-163. Illus trated. New York: Columbia Publish- ing Co. Field Sports, Vol. 10, weet 9-22, Jan. 4-Mar. 28, 1896. . Game and Shooting, Vol. 1, No. 12, Feby., 1896. : Gameland, Vol. 8, Nos. 2-4, rl Mar., 1896. “4 Le Naturaliste Canadien, Vol. 23, Nos. 1-3, Jan.-March, 1896. Nidologist, Vol. 3, Nos. 5-7, Jan.- March, 1896. o Oregon Naturalist, a 3; ‘Woaee I 6 Jan.-March, a a B, x 4 The Iowa Ornithologist. Vol. II. Sen: Iowa, October, 1896. No. 4. The Prairie Hen (Tympanu- chus americanus.) BY A. I. JOHNSON, DES MOINES. Paper read before the First Congress Olaglis OFAN T gives me great pleasure to be uy able to say, that there is in this fair state of Iowa an associ- ation of Ornithologists, an associ- ation who will be able individ- ually and collectively, to prepare data, and furnish facts relative to our birds which will be a last- ing monument of information to the coming generation; and whea you take into consideration the rapidity that our birds are be- coming extinct, the information that is furnished by so reliable a body as the Iowa association is composed of, you can readily see the importance and benefit aris- ing from such an association. That there is in the great state of lowa, a bird that was here when the first settler crossed the great Mississippi; and one I can safely say has had no rest from that to the present time; one that has furnished many a hungry man with a good meal, if not being actually the means of saving his life, the greatest bird that inhab- its this fair state; one that has no fear of our wintry blasts and has not as yet been conquered by any- thing except man, his cruelest foe, who persecute him summer and winter, day and night; with dog and gun in summer and all manner of traps in winter, when instead of foes they sadly need friends, our loyal legal Prairie Hen (Tympanuchus americanus). To enter into a scientific de- scription of this bird I hardly think it necessary, as you are all familiar with its general charac- teristics. I will simply state that it be- - longs to the order Gallinze and Genus Tympanuchus, and is found now principally west of the great Mississippi, to the Rocky Mountains. This grand bird was formerly found as far east as the lower New England states, and from there west in certain localities, in about every state. It has been claimed by some, that the Prairie Hen of the eas- tern states (or Heath Hen as it was then called) is a different bird than the Prairie Hen of the west, but I think that climate, food and a variety of other things is the main cause of all the chan- ges to be found in size and color. All the other characteristics are the same, the call of the male bird, or bumming noise it makes 77 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. is a feature that would -distin- guish it from all members of the Grouse family. The Prairie Hen is a bird that inhabits plains and open country, high and dry ground free from trees to a great extent, pitching only upon those tracts whose features and productions corres- pond with its modes of life. Their predilections for such situations will be best accounted for by considering the following circumstances. First: their mode of flight is generally direct and laborious, ill calculated for a thick forest or high trees, that require angular evolutions of the wing and sharp turning. Sec- ondly: their known dislike to marshes or places that are natu- rally wet, although at the pres- ent time in this state they are forced to some extent to inhabit low and marshy land, as that is about all that there is left for them to use as a breeding ground where suitable cover can be found. That they are of great value to the farmer as a destroyer of countless varieties of insects can- not be doubted for an instant. Going back to the time before this prairie country was under cultivation, and when the Prai- rie Hen was found here in great numbers, whose living must of necessity been insectivorous, and not granivorous at that time. That the Prairie Hen now lives © to a large extent on grain I will “3 not deny, for as his dominion has ~ been encroached upon by civilized an. people, he in order to live, has ~ had to take up with what he could find, or go west. could not be domesticated but I think I can safely say at the pres- ent time, that the Prairie Hen under certain conditions can be readily tamed. IT have myself on different occa- sions had in my possession live hens that became readily tame. Hundreds of instances can be readily cited of Prairie Hens mix- ing with domestic poultry in se- © vere weather, and approaching — the farm house or barn, seeling protection and food. One of the greatest drawbacks the Prairie Hen has to contend with at the present time, is a nesting place; since our state has become so — thickly settled, and al! available land has come into use, either for — cultivation or pasturage; also the — habit of farmers to burn off the © old grass from all the sloughs, ditches and swamps, about the — time the first clutch of eggs are — laid, has been, and is the means — of destroying more birds than all — the guns in the state. I claim the gun is not the most destructive foe the Prairie Hen — has to contend with, although it — is the one all the blame is laid to, — It has | been claimed that the Prairie Hen © IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 78 you hear from all sides that the hunters are the ones that are ex- terminating all the birds, ‘‘bird cranks,” taxidermists etc., they are the ones, when if the truth were known they are far in the minority. That we have a law protecting the Prairie Hen and our other birds, cannot be denied, but law in this case as in many others, is of very little account, as it will not, and does not enforce itself. Their value as an edible bird is -a factor that will cause them to be shot on sight as long as they exist. That the Prairie Hen will be driven from this fair state, as from our sister states, is a fact readily to be seen. Although they are to be found in consider- able numbers in various portions of the state, let us do all we can to protect and ward off the day of their final extermination. It is claimed by some that the Prairie Hen is not a migratory bird, inhabiting a certain locality at all times. I think I can safely say from in- formation gathered, and from per- sonal experience that they do mi- grate to a certain extent at least, loealities in which they are abun- dant one year, perhaps the next you will find scarcely a bird and vice versa, also in winter they leave, and go no man knows where. Many other points I might mention in regard to their breed- ing, nesting etc., but feeling I have already taken up too much of your valuable time I will leave those points open for discussion. Birds. BY H. HEATON, GLENDALE. Paper read before the Second Coneress OW Ils Os Ae NHE birds, are with most peo- ple associated with every- thing that is kindly, and pure, and tender, and good, and a sort of affection springs up even in the infant’s heart towards the four and twenty black birds that did not cease from singing though baked in a pie, and the feeling deepens in childhood, as it listens with a sense of solemn woe, to the tragic, tale of, ‘‘Babes in the Wood,” and ‘‘Gentle Redbreast,” increasing to something like rey- erence for the lessons they teach the observant man, as the prophet Moses likened the afflictions of life, to an eagle that ‘‘stirreth up her nest, fiuttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings,” so adverse cir- cumstances bring out what is highest and noblest in character, just as the young eagle must be pushed out of its nest before it will dare to essay the use of its wings. attaining the Paice of aie: mul- SOL us, there comes a time when we feel how empty is such a life, & how narrow its bounds; like Sol- : i omon,: we are tempted to say, ag “vanity of vanities, all is vanity. i What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun. One generation passeth away and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth forever. The thing that hath een, it is that which shall be; md that which is done is that which shall be done, and there is no new thing under the sun.” Such pessimism is best overcome _ by going to the birds for philos- -ophy. They are the true opti- mists. Each returning morning they hail the dawn with a song, os full of gladness as if it had the world is it is al- ways new. Their notes in early spring awaken memories of child- _ hood. In autumn their depart- ure tells of lands of perpetual sunshine. Of those which re- main with us through the win. ter’s storms we learn lessons of Human life is chiefly concerned r with material wants, food See ; titude; but to many, if not to most day of the entire year, ministry is felt in wider skies from falling upon é ‘making us more worthy to on this earth. + But we need eyes to see ears to hear. Notall o: half the beauty of the bird do we hear a tithe of the land harmonics, nor have le even the most rudimentar sons that birds have to teac linnets, cuckoos, and n gales that have graced th the fields and naaueeel Qe, o—_ esi \ IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 80 The Acadian Flycatcher in Pottawattamie Co. ‘BY E. E. TRONS COUNCIL BLUFFS. - Paper read before the Second Congress Oyler Oud: YHE Acadian or Small Green- crested Flycatcher was first brought to my notice in the ‘spring of 1891, at which time, two nests of three eggs each were found. Then, for three succes- sive years, although I searched | . . diligently, no sign of the species was to be discovered. I[n 1895, a number of nests were found and examined, most of which con- tained eggs. Again in the pres- ent year, (1896) I found this Fly- catcher to be fairly abundant. While not a common bird, it is probably of more frequent occur- rence than is generally known, and some few notes may prove of interest to members of the 1.0. A. The Acadian Flycatcher is rare in New England, and seems rather to be a bird of the middle portion a 6 of the United States, embracing | the territory drained by the Mis- Sissippi river system. The bird breeds throughout the northern portion of its range, and winters south to Mexico. The namealso, Acadian, is not geographically correct, as may be seen from the foregoing habitat. In form and general coloration it is similar to Traill’s Flycatcher but the wing bars are not so light in color, and the under parts contain more of a yellowish tinge. In size the Acadian is somewhat larger than the Traill’s but might be easily mistaken for the latter. Like the Traill’s Flycatcher, it is of retiring habits, and is even more seclusive, frequenting dark shady woods, and deep ravines. The thought of this bird, always brings to my mind, recollections of pleasant hours, spent in the moist refreshing coolness of the deep woods, where the dense shade is broken only here and there by a ray of sunshine which has penetrated the thick leafy canopy. Although generally regarded as .a shy bird, on several ocea- sions [ have found it to appar- ently lose its accustomed shyness and fiit about from branch to branch within fifteen feet of me, very much after the manner of the Wood Pewee. With one exception, all the nests I have examined were situ- ated in bushes or small trees on the side near the bottom of a ra- vine. The bird seems to give the preference to iron-wood sap- lings, for the reason, I suppose, that the tree affords specially fa- vorable branches for the con- struction of nests. Two nests however were found in hickory saplings. One of these was in a at “ ¥ bam al, asi? as -) Se eae pee a RR a he Oe Steere ok patie % xa o. a : ULES e,) re ree Fame “te bk) - ag sh aa eh Sh ee =e 4 tree which had been bent in some way so as to be nearly horizontal in its last ten feet. This nest was nearly 20 feet from the ground. This is the greatest height at which I have found nests of this bird, the usual height being from 4 to 10 feet. The nesting season begins about the first of June, or possi- bly a few days earlier, and fresh eggs are to be found from that -time until about June 25. In size and composition the nests are variable, but the gen- eral style of architecture remains the same. One of our prominent writers describes the nest as ‘‘a light hammock swung between two forks.” The body of the nest is formed principally of dry pendant grasses. larly beautiful nest was composed grace and elegance. grass stems and catkins, bound together with spider-webs, and adorned with the ever present One particu- almost entirely of catkins from the oak tree, and was a model of Generally, ss however, the neat appearance of the body of the nest is offset by a trimming of long grasses, giving it the appearance, as some one has said, not of a nest, but of the “remainder of a load of hay.” The number of eggs in a set is from 2 to 4, but I have always found 3 eggs to constitute a com- plete set. what larger than those of Traill’s In size, they are some- IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Flycatcher, averaging a pout -73x.53. The ground color bh case with the eggs of trailli. series of eggs of acadicus ¢ not exhibit a very great tion. : Although the Acadian catcher possesses many poi common 1 with other | membet careful seat : But it is only one among nas we redienbes that ih , form but a small part of the mate creation, and that the animate, we are led to ore O Nature! how deep is thy tery! The Northern Shrike (Li us borealis) in J ack son Co. aes * 4 ; ~y IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 82 winter it selects for a home a patch of brush, hedge row, or some waste corner where there is a few trees or bushes, where it will frequently spend the most of the winter, and from where its song can occasionally be heard, especially toward spring. The food of this species consists prin- - cipally of insects, mice and small birds. Of the birds I find the Tree Sparrow to suffer most, in this section, but near towns they destroy quite a number of that pest the English Sparrow, which certainly is to their credit. In my Opinion they do not destroy nearly so many birds as is gen- erally supposed. I am led to this belief by having at a great many different times seen them try to catch birds but with a sin- gle exception they always failed, and also by the few birds found hung on thorns compared with the number of mice found in the same situation. That they feed quite largely on insects I believe by having seen Shrikes fre- - quently on the ground evidently picking up insects, and once dur- ing an unusual warm spell of weather in February I saw one catching some large insects on the wing of which it took twenty- five in the short time that I watched it. These insects ap- peared to me to be the images of large borers that are found in oak timber, this being in a patch that had been grubbed down and the trees left and not worked up. This species arrives here in the last week of October or first week of November and remains until about the middle of March. I find by a comparison of my notes for the past seven years that the earliest it was seen was Oct. 23, 1890, and the latest was noted Nov. 9, 1895. The latest seen in spring for the seven years was April 3, 1891, which is about the time that the White-rumped Shrike arrives from the south. The two species are often con-: founded as one and go by the name of Butcher bird, both hav- ing the habit of hanging their prey on thorns. I will give two extracts from my note book as follows: December 11, 1892.—This morn- ing [ surprised two Northern Shrikes fighting over the body of a Tree Sparrow which: one of them had killed and hung on a thorn at the bottom of a hedge, six inches from the ground. They were making quite a row and seemed in dead earnest. The sparrow had its brains, and part of the entrails eaten. Having a gun I stopped the fight by killing one of the combatants. November 26, 1895.—Was driv- ing through a small piece of woods when my attention was at- tracted by a Tree Sparrow flying. close to my face followed by a \ + 4 hy), let it go again. 83 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Shrike. Wishing to see if the Shrike was successful, I stopped to watch. The sparrow tried to get away from its pursuer by dodging around in the brush but; (to make a long story short) it was of no use, and the Shrike fi- nally caught him behind a pile of wood, and carried it to an open space where he laid his victim down and hovering above it watched until the sparrow tried to escape when he would seize it and after giving it a few pecks This was kept up for some time, the Shrike play- ing with his victim much as a cat does with a mouse, but finally getting tired of this sport he killed it. Upon picking up the sparrow I found that it had been killed by being choked and not by having the brains pecked ont as generally supposed, there not being a mark upon its head. The Second Congress of the Iowa Ornithological Association. i NHE Second Congress of the Iowa Ornithological Associ- ation was held in Mt. Vernon, July 29-31, 1896. BUSINESS MEETING, JULY 29. 2:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by the President, Charles R. Keyes, with seven members in attendance. The matter of holding one public meeting was informally dis- cussed, finally Thursday evening, — July 30, was chosen. After some informal discussions on minor points, the meeting adjourned to meet at 9:00 a. m. July 30, for further business. 4 SECOND MEETING, JULY 30. } 9:00 a.m. The meeting called to order by the President, Chas. — R. Keyes. It was decided to postpone the business meeting until tomorrow morning, hoping — for the arrival of members who | were expected. The meeting then proceeded to the reading of — papers. The first paper of the morning was entitled ‘“The War- — blers of Jackson Co.,” by H. J. | Giddings. In the absence of the — author it was read by Morton EH. — Peck. The second paper was “The Acadian Flycatcher,” by Ernest Irons, in his absence was read by David L. Savage. The third title ‘‘Traill’s Flycatcher,” by Chas. R. Keyes. Discussions — followed each paper, in which all — members present took part. The — opening paper of the afternoon _ session was by Morton E. Peck, ~ entitled ‘‘Affinities of the War- — blers,” this was accompanied by — a chart drawn by Mr. Peck which ~ showed clearly the relations of | the mino tiilids. The next pa- per was ‘‘Observations on Moto- — thrus ater” by David L. Savage. — ‘The Picidee” by William Savage ~ was the third paper of the after- — Frank H. Shoemaker. tended discussion followed each IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 84 The fourth paper was en- noon. titled ‘‘Some Peculiar Nests” by also, a comparison of paper, notes on the species under con- ‘sideration. PUBLIC SESSION, JULY 30. 8:00 p.m. The meeting called _ to order by the President, Chas. R. Keyes. After a few explana- tory and well timed remarks, the - meeting proceeded to the consid- eration of scientific papers. The first paper entitled ‘‘Protection of Birds” by W. W. Loomis, in his absence was read by H. M. McLaughlin. Mr. Chas. R. Keyes gave as the second paper, ‘‘The tle - members were present. Iowan Raptores.” The third ti- “Birds” (from an esthetic standpoint) by Hiram Heaton, in the absence of the author was read by B. H. Bailey. BUSINESS MEETING, JULY 381. 9:00a.m. The meeting was called to order by the President, Chas. R. Keyes. Hight active The sec- retary s report gave the member- ship of the Association as 71, constituted as follows: Active, 50; Honorary, 3; Associate 18. Then reports were heard from the treasurer and the chairman of committee on compiling of the list of Iowa birds. Moved and seconded that David L. Savage be made chairman of committee on compiling the list of Iowa _ birds, and that the other members of the committee be continued. _ Motion carried. The officers elec- ted were J. H. Brown, president; An ex- W. W. Loomis, vice-president; B. H. Bailey, secretary; David L. Savage, editor-treasurer; Frank H. Shoemaker, Geo. H. Burge, Carleton R. Ball, members of the executive council; Charles’ R. Keyes, Carl F. Henning, H. J. Giddings. members of the finance committee. The association then adjourned to meet in Manchester, the third week in August, 1897. The afternoon was pleasantly spent in viewing the beautiful, life size, water colored paintings of over two hundred of our Iowa birds, made by Mr. William Sav- age, of Wilsonville, Iowa. BERT H. BAILEY, Secretary. Birds of Iowa. A complete list, with profuse notes on Iowa birds, is now being prepared under the supervision of the committee appointed by the Ornithological] Association. ‘A check-list of North Ameri- can birds is sent, with this maga- zine, to each member of the asso- ciation and the members are re- quested to check off the names of the birds they have found in the state, a cross to indicate summer resident and a dash not summer resident. It is important that the members make no delay in tilling out the check-lists and sending them to the chairman of the committee. ‘David L. SAVAGE, Commit- Chairman. tee | CHas. R. KEYES, on 4 Morton H. PECK, Compila- | PAUL BARTSCH, tion. | JOHN V. CRONE, | H. J. GIDDINGS. 85 sat IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. A Quarterly Magazine Devoted to the Study of Ornithology and Oology. DAVID L. SAVAGE, Editor and Publisher. SUBSCRIPTION RATES. One year, - - - - 40 ets. Single copy, - = > 10 ets. ADVERVISING RATES. 1 inch - - - - - $ .50 Z inches - - - - - 90 + column - - - - 1.70 1 column - - - - 3.00 1 page - - - = - 5.00 Entered as second class mail matter at the Post Office, Salem, Iowa. Address all communications to David L. Savage, Salem, Lowa. The notice of the taking of a Black-throated Loon near Sabula, Iowa, as given in the April Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST, read, by J. Gid- dings, but should read H. J. Gid- dings. One initial was omitted thus crediting the note to the wrong person, there being a J. Giddings at Sabpla. I must also modify my supple- mentary note on this species, as a specimen taken by Paul Bartsch at Burlington, Iowa, was repor- ted in the proceedings of the lowa Academy of Sciences, 1895. Notes and News. Sept. 12, I received a specimen that is of rare occurrence in Boone county. It is a Swallow- tailed Kite, and was shot by C. H. Elliott, 54 miles west of Boone, near the Des Moines river, two miles west of Cal Rose Bridge. About ten years ago the Swallow-tailed Kite was com-_ mon during the migrations, but of late years they have become rare. The bird when killed was in a bass wood tree pruning its feathers. Length, Extent, Wing, Tail. 14.50 Tarsus, 1.00 Stomach contained five frogs and one grasshopper. By the way I have some good news for you and you may tell the I. O. boys that they are wel- come to the best cigars in town if they call at my store. The glad tidings are that on Septem- ber 7, a baby girl with blue eyes, black hair, and cheeks as rosy as a peach was born at ‘‘Bird’s Home.” Of course she will be a lover of our birds.—Carl Fitz Henning, Boone, Iowa. On February 29, I took a fine specimen of the Pileated Wood- pecker near this place. On March 7, Mr. H. Thomas took two spec- imens of the Evening Grosbeak, and again on April 18, he pro- 24.00 49.00 16.75 : ed two more specimens of the me species. These birds were very large flocks. On March 8, I took one specimen of the Bo- 1emian Waxwing from a flock of fifteen or twenty.—C. C. Smith, Winneshiek Co. Read the open letter from the President of the I. O. A., found on the second page and go to work in earnest for the prem-. ums. ‘They are open to subscri- bers aS well as members. You will need to do some hustling, or Henning has ten members side-tracked now. Don’t let him ome out head, for with his sonny lassie and a premium, he would have more joys than his ee ] L collected a set of fifteen eggs a the Florida Gallinule at Heron Lake, Minn., this year.—Paul C. Woods, opaneee Ta. 4 Mr. Wilmon Newell and my- : self have taken three fine sets of 4 —- eggs each of the Red-tailed “Hawk from this vicinity this ‘spring.—John V. Crone, Ames, Towa. 3 I have taken sets of Great- horned Owl this year on the fol- lowing dates: February 22, 4 vith photo of eggs and nest in situ and also of nest from ground. eb. 29, . March 14, 4 with arent bird. March 23, 3, a sec- nd set, sol left it. On March A, I mounted a male Whistling IOWA ORNIT HOLOGIST. — 86 Swan which was shot at Lake Edwards, Hancock Co. Meas- urements, Extent, 83 inches, length 50, wing 204, tail 84, bill 4.—R. M. Anderson, Forest City, Towa. This is an early spring, I have recorded the taking of Meadow- lark’s eggs the 20th of April, and I took a set of seven May 4, and a set of Cooper’s Hawk, May 8. I noted a Bay-breasted Warbler, April *21, the only one I have seen this year.—Paul C. Woods, Spencer, Lowa. CLL” itzpeicraf rect! rANSsS {t r0e IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. FL ES OE Eos EVI | Sp, DI: i New books and other publications will be reviewed in this department. Authors wishing publications reviewed should send them to the Editor, who will examire them personally and give them due consideration. Shoemaker on Birds of Frank- lin County Iowa, (A partial list ot the). This is an annotated list of 150 species, the result of five years observations made at odd times. The annotations re- late to the manner of occurrence of the various species. Preced- ing the annotated list (pp 1-2) Mr. Shoemaker describes the general character and extent of the region treated. It is attrac- tively printed and we trust may prove an incentive to ornitholog- ical research in the county of which it treats, as well as a stim- ulant to other ornithologists in the state to prepare similar lists. ‘‘Warren’s Taxidermy.” A bul- letin published by the state de- partment of agriculture of Penn- sylvania and prepared by the zo- ologist. B. H. Warren. The work is divided into three chapters as follows: (1) ‘How to Collect, Skin, Preserve and Mount Birds;’ (2) Laws relating Song and Wild Birds;’ (8) ‘Game and Fish Laws;’ The first chapter conveys in a plain way the easiest method of preparing and preserving birds’ skins. Commencing with the ru- diments of the art, so that any boy with learn the process. and further school along giving instruction that is of value to the professional taxi- dermist. This is the second edi- tion of the bulletin. The author states that ‘‘the demand for the first edition so far exceeded our expectations that this reprint is necessary to avoid disappointing agreat many correspondents of thedepartment.” Should not this be an encourageinent for other states to publish bulletins of a similar nature? PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED Beal, F. EK. L., ‘‘The Meadow Lark and the Baltimore Oriole.” (Yearbook of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture for 1895, pp. 419 430, pl. 2.) Judd, D. Sylvester, ‘‘four Com- mou Birds of the Farm and Gar- den. (Yearbook of the U. S. its aid could — a ican Egg Catalogue.” for the exchange of birds nests IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. . 88 es Dept: of Agriculture for 1895, pp. a 405- 418, pl. 4.) _ Jones Lynds, ‘‘General Notes.” Bulletin, Nos. 6, 7,8, Wilson Orn. Chap. Agassiz Assoc., Jan.-Mar. - ' May 1896 ‘Birds Pp. Shoemaker, Frank H., of Franklin County, Lowa.” 1-16, 1896. Taylor, H. R.,‘‘Standard Amer- A basis and eges. Pp. 1-32: 1896. . aWarren. eo axidermy.” Bulletin No. 6, Pa., Dept. of Ag- riculture, 1896. Pp. 1-128, pl. 9. oA, 1896. Field Sports, Vol. 11, Nos. 1- Game and Shooting, Vol. 2, ‘Nos. 2 7, Apr.-Sept. 1896. Gameland, Vol. 9, Nos. 1-4, June-Sept. 1896. Le Naturaliste Canadien, Vol. 23, Nos. 4-9. Apr.-Sept. 1896. “Museum, Vol. 2, Nos. 6-11, Apr.-Sept. 1896. Nidologist, Vol. 3, Nos. 8-12, Apr.-August 1896. Oregon Naturalist, Vol. 3, Nos. 49, Apr. Sept. 1096. Osprey, Vol. 1, No. 1, Sept. “ONE OF THE NOTABLE BOOKS OF THE CENTURY,” is ‘‘Heads—-the City of the Gods,” by J. Von Swartwont,a veritable unveiling of the Temple, the deepest searchlight of the day, and an extremely clever book of surpassing interest. Free Ma- sons, Metaphysicians, Christians, Spir- itualists, Students of Hindoo Philoso- phy, everybody is interested in the pe- rusal of this thoroughly fertile produc- tion. W.H. Thompson, 916 Viceroy St., Pittsburg, Pa, says: ‘‘Being a Mason I can understand the most re- matkable book I ever read better than some others perhaps: to me itisarey- elation—a book without a peer.’ ‘A thoughtful book of far-reaching scope.”’ —N. Y. World. ‘:A narrative in ex- traordinary form ’”’—N. Y Sun. “A peculiar’ volume.’’—N. Y. Recorder. “A work full of illustrative purpose— the author has a very charming style.” —lowa Ornithologist. ‘Simply and ingeniously told. Occultism goes to the heart of things dealt with in a very unique and original manner.’’—-Banner’ of Light, ‘A very curious book intwo parts —each complete in itself; the first gives an enchanting account of a sum- mer in the Adirondacks, the second deals with the mysteries of life phys- ical aod spiritual and is well worthy of © perusal.’’—Bookseller. Newsdealer and i Sta. 510 pp. illustrated, Vol. I. paper, 50 cents, Vol. Il, paper $1.50; two vol- umes in one, cloth and gold, $2.50. Booksellers, ov postpaid by the Olom- bia Publishing Co., P: O. Box 248, ey York City, N. Y. COLLECTORS If you desire first-class Florida Specimens of MOUNTED BIRDS, SNAKES, ANIMALS, ALLIGATORS, ETC, OR SKINS, SKULLS, SKELE- TONS AND EGGS, Write to me before you purchase. You may have something to ex- change that I want. If not I can furnish you fine FLORIDA SPECIMENS CHEAPER THAN ANYONE. I collect myself and furnish first- class data with everything you get. Write me for list of what I carry in stock. 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P M Warmly com- 4 |u| mended by Stare % o) Ml Supennoan : a Schools, and other Educators ale & LA most without —— - i ern" ber. 6 THE BEST FOR EVERYBODY om BECAUSE y ) It is easy to find the word wanted. Wordsare given their correct alphabetical! Places, each one beginning a paragraph. it is easy to ascertain the pronunciation. The pronunciation is shown by the ordinary dia ¢ critically marked letters used in the schoolbooks. ) It is easy to trace the growth of a word. To Qg Qg 5 rou bie } ‘The etymologies are full, and the different niean=1 a ings are viven in the order of their development. y It is easy to learn what a word means. ¥ Tha definitions ave clear. explicit, and ee and cach is contained in in a separave paragraph. C. & C. MERRIAM Co., Publishers, Springfield, Mass., U. S.-Ase an Pe oO ) > O 4 me Specimen pages, etc., sent on application. vay O-O-0O-2)-O-0-O-0--O 0-0-0-00-0-0-00-0000005 R-I-P-Asies The modern stand- e ard Family Medi-} 4 Cures the Persia te) common every-day cine: ills of humanity. ONE GIVES RELIEF. ee a ee ee eS Lt, Ee ae ee SPR a ee eet dears a + x “* = THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. FOR THE STUDENT OF BIRDS. Jove ie, SALEM, IOWA. DAVID L. SAVAGE, PUBLISHER. 1897. a oe. s INDEX TO VOLUME HL #4. Resolutions of Condolence, Summer Birds of the Oneota Valley, Paul Bartsch, Wrens of Burlington, Iowa, The, Paul Bartsch, poe AS Complete.and Annotated List of lowa Birds, Committee, Page Affinities of the Mniotiltidz, The, Morton E. Peck, An Accidental Visitor, J. H. Brown, Bird Migration in lowa, Committee on Compilation, Bob White, Wilmon Newell, - Book Review, 14,°29, 45, ; Death of Mrs. Gus Walters, Effect of the Season on Migration, H. J. Giddings, Iowan Raptors, The, Charles R. Keyes, eel i Manchester, 1897, Members of the I. O. A. January, 1897, New Year’s Work, The, J. H. Brown, Nesting Habits of Krider’s Hawk, R. M. Anderson, New Members I. O. A. Notes and News, 3 24, ‘Notes on the Warblers of Jackson County, H. J. Giddings, Notes from Forest City Iowa, R. M. Anderson, “ Observations on the Cowbird, David L. Savage, One Small Piece of Ground, Burtis H. Wilson, Pied-billed Grebe, The, Carl Fritz Henning, _ Prairie Hen, The, Wilmon Newell, Publications Received, 14, 29, 46, 64 2 vis ae “i f te ’ 1 os; t ih . / ’ we or . Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura. f F “ de mae ae * r - i & i The # lowa # Ornithofogist. Vol. Il. JANUARY, 1897. No. I. THE IOWAN RAPTORES. By CHAS. R. KEYES, Prresipent Iowa ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. Paper read before the Second Congress of I. O. A. HERE seems to be a general opinion prevailing, especially among farmers Tk and sportsmen, that all birds of prey do more harm than good, and are, con- sequently, worthy of death wherever and whenever one may have an opportunity to inflict it. If this is not the case, then the actions of these classes of men are, in the great majority of cases, opposed to their beliefs. It is seldom indeed that a chance to kill a hawk or an owl is thrown away by the average sportsman or farmer’s boy. The experience of the writer, such as it has been, has, as yet, failed to find a farmer who was unwilling to have nests and eggs of these birds taken from his premises. On thecontrary, information is gladly given as to the whereabouts of the nests of these species in the hope that a new crop of the “‘pests’? may be avoided. It might be added here, by the way of parenthesis, that the farmer’s ‘‘benefactor’’ generally failed to give in return the informa- tion that the same pair of birds would, in a few days, have another nest under process of construction in the same or immediate vicinity. It will be the object of this discussion to try to prove or disprove the value to the farmer of raptorial birds, confining our study for the sake of narrowing down the subject, to the raptorial birds either resident, migratory, or casual to the state of Iowa. It is believed that the following list of thirty species is complete for this purpose, and it will be our object to consider briefly each of these species by itself and try to reach a conclusion as to whether, on the whole, it is a benefit or a detriment to agricultural interests. The influence of birds of prey on agriculture is in a large per cent of cases indirectly and only to be ascertained by the study of smaller birds, insects and smaller mammals destroyed by them for food purposes. It will, then, be nec- essary to assume that certain small animals are a benefit to agriculture and that others are obnoxious. This will be allowed without much difficulty. It will, in general, be conceded that our small field birds, as thrushes, sparrows, wrens, warblers, flycatchers, larks, etc., are of direct or indirect benefit to agriculture; and that many, probably most of our small field mammals, as field mice, rats, ground squirrels, gophers, rabbits, shrews, etc., are of direct detri- ment toit. In our discussion of the merits and demerits of the following species of birds of prey it will be necessary to keep in mind this general de- struction. (1)—Cathartes awra. TURKEY VULTURE. TuIs bird influences agriculture mainly through its office as a scavenger and in this capacity doubtless performs a kindly service in the removal of all sorts of carrion, which remaining, would produce disease both in man and in 2 IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. beast. This service is so important in some states that the bird has justly been protected by law. The argument has sometimes been brought against it that this bird will eat animals which have died of some disease, as hog cholera, and communicate it to pastures or pens containing healthy animals, and in this way sometimes spread the disease throughout a large community. This argument is not well substantiated, however, and indeed it is doubted whether the di- sease in question is really infectious. On account of its weak beak and talons this vulture can rarely secure live prey. Its food consists of any dead mam- mals or fish, eaten when fresh preferably, but when decomposed in cases where the animal’s skin is too thick to be torn open when fresh. In very rare in- stances this bird has been known to kill and eat small lambs. The Turkey Vulture may be classed as common in Iowa. (2)—Elanoides forficatus. SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. Tus kite can scarcely be said to be common in Iowa, but occasional pairs ascend the Mississippi each spring and nest in the state during the months of May and June. Itis doubtful whether this species ever kills a bird of any kind, but on the contrary it seems to be perfectly harmless and beneficial. Its food consists principally of various kinds of reptiles, beetles, grass bau crickets, small frogs, worms, lizards and tree toads. (3)—Iectinia mississippiensis. MISSISSIPPI KITE. Tue distribution of this bird is very irregular outside of the Southern Mis- sissippi region and the Gulf States. It may be accounted only as casual or ir- regular to lowa. Like the Swallow-tailed species, its food consists of insects, small snakes, lizards and ua rodents. It is not known to destroy birds, at least not habitually. (4)—Cireus hudsonius. MARSH HAWK. THe Marsh Hawk or Hen Warrior so called, is a common summer resi- dent in Iowa, breeding on the ground in meadow or timber lands during May and June. The bird has been thought to be destructive to wild birds and the farmers’ fowls, but observation does not show this supposition to be generally true. It passes most of its time in the fields and low timber, watch- ing for food gophers, meadow mice, ground squirrels, and other small rodents, locusts, grass-hoppers, frogs and in some localities the large destructive crickets (dnabus simplex). From an economic standpoint this species is certainly beneficial, and instead of persecution should have protection, (5)—Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED HAWE. Tuis little hawk is a fairly common and regular summer resident in Iowa, and is one of the species which must be cousidered as doing more harm than good. It seldom eats small rodents and insects, but on the contrary it lives mostly on small birds, sometimes, however, destroying birds as large as itself such as pigeons, Bob Whites, mourning doves, robins, etc. It is said not to hesitate to help itself to young chickens whenever it can find any. Keyes, Tue Iowan Raprores. 3 -(6)—Accipiter cooperit. COOPER’S HAWK. CooPEeR’s Hawk is a common summer resident in Iowa and in appearance (being, however, larger) and in disposition is much like the preceding species. From its far greater numbers, it is even more destructive. This hawk is the worst enemy of the smaller birds generally, and probably does more than all the other hawks combined to reduce the size of the farmers’ flock of poultry. It does not appear to destroy reptiles, rodents or insects to any great extent. (7)—Buteo borealis. RED-TAILED HAWKE. TuIs is probably the most common hawk in Iowa and is resident here throughout the year. It is commonly called the ‘‘Hen Hawk’’ though this is a misnomer, for the bird very seldom visits the poultry yard. It only receives a great deal of blame which should attach to the preceding species. Its food consists for the most part of gophers, ground squirrels, moles, meadow mice, shrews, rabbits, frogs, toads, crawfish, snakes, lizards and various kinds of insects. The remains of small rodents may always be found in this bird’s nest containing young. The Red-tailed Hawk deserves protection rather than haying a price set upon its head as has been the case in some states. (S5)—Buteo borealis kriderii. KRIDER’S HAWK. THIS species is only a geographical yariety of Buteo borealis, a lighter colored race, which is rare in Iowa. Its habits, disposition, and food, so far as known, are identical with the red-tailed species. (9)—Buteo borealis calurus. WESTERN RED-TAIL. THIS species is also’ a geographical variety of Buteo borealis, and isa dusky or darker colored bird, which is casual to Iowa. Its habits, food and disposition are essentially the same as those of the Red-tailed Hawk. Where prairie dogs, grass-hoppers, and rattlesnakes are found, it is known to make them a part of its fare. “ (10)—Buteo borealis harlanit. HARLAN’S HAWK. HARLAN’S Hawk, another variety of Buteo borealis, is the darkest colored of this species and only casually reaches Iowa from the South Mississippi region. It is not a well known bird, but it seems to differ from the Red-tailed Hawk only in color and in a somewhat more shy disposition. (11)—Buteo lineatus. RED-SHOULDERED HAWE. THE Red-shouldered Hawk is a common species in Iowa though seldom seen from its habit of keeping itself well out of view in the timber along bottom lands. Its food is of the most humble kind, and is such as will show beyond doubt that the bird is an economic benefit. Dr. C. Hart Merriam, of the Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, examined 102 stomachs of the Red-shouldered Hawk during 1887, and found the contents to be as follows: 1 contained poultry; 5, other birds; 61, mice; 20, other mammals; 15, reptiles or batrachians; 40, insects; 7, + Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. spiders ; 8, crawfish ; 1, earth worms; 1, offal; 1, catfish, and three were empty. In addition to this list, moles, squirrels, young rabbits, and small snakes enter into its bill of fare. (12)—Buteo swainsont. SWAINSON’S HAWK. TuIs is a fairly common bird in Iowa. It is of an exceedingly peaceful disposition and seldom kills a bird or makes a visit to a poultry yard unless food should be more than ordinarily scarce. It lives almost entirely on the smaller quadrupeds—squirrels, gophers, rats and mice. It also kills large numbers of insects, and remains of snakes are occasionally found in its nest. In localities where the large black cricket, so destructive to agricultural interests, is found, this hawk is known to make them almost an exclusive article of diet. (13)—Buteo latissimus. BROAD-WINGED HAWKE. Tue Broad-winged Hawk is fairly common in Iowa on the average, be- ing quite common in some portions, and being almost lacking in others. It is one of the most beneficial of our Raptores, seldom committing depredations in the poultry yard, and only rarely killing a small bird of any kind. — Its food consists chiefly of harmful rodents, such as weasels, mice, gophers, ground squirrels, shrews, frogs, toads, smail snakes, larve of insects, grass-hoppers, and beetles. . [CONTINUED IN NEXT ISSUE. | _ OBSERVATIONS ON THE COWBIRD. BY DAVID L. SAVAGE. Paper read before the Second Congress of I. O. A. ITH what rare pleasure do we watch for the return of the birds, when W all nature is awakening into new life! At this season of the year, the gurgling notes of the Cowbird seem to possess a degree of melody. The first scattered flocks arrive during the last week in March or the first week in April, and in a short time are followed by large numbers which scatter almost indiscriminately over the open fields and woodlands, along the streams and marshes. Their superabundance and the presence of more beautiful songsters, soon makes their attempt at singing sink into insignificance. The Cow bird seems to have a slight preference for pasture lands, where horses, cattle and sheep are grazing; they are continually running about the feet of the animals, sometimes perching on their backs. I have seen as many as six at one time perched on a sheep’s back. The insects which accompany the herds form the attraction for the birds. ; During the latter part of July until the first of September, adult birds of this species are seldom seen, during these sultry days they either go north or pass their time in secluded places. Early in September flocks may be seen Savage, OBSERVATIONS ON THE COWBIRD. 5 flying south and by the first: of October the most of them have gone, except afew young birds that sometimes remain throughout the winter. I have never noted adult birds here after October. In the winter of 1892-’93 a flock of perhaps twenty-five young Cowbirds of the year, stayed about a farmer’s feed-lot near Salem. Even in the severest weather they were seen feeding in the lot amcngst the cattle; when their hunger was satisfied, they retired to the lee-ward side of the barn and nestled close together. In speakiug of the food of this bird, I cannot do better than to quote from a paper of Prof. F. E. L. Beal’s, which was read before the Biological Society of Washington, in March, 1896. He gave the results of an examination of nearly 400 stomachs of the Crowbird, collected in twenty states and the District of Columbia. Every month in the year was represented except January and February, and the food was found to consist of animal and vegetable matter, in the proportion of about 28 per cent of the former to 72 per cent of the latter. Spiders and harmful insects compose almost exclusively the animal food, while weed seeds, waste grain and a few miscellaneous articles make up the vegetable food. ‘the conclusion was reached that this “black vagabond,” as the scientific men have termed it,—Molothrus ater—Molothrus, Gr., vag- abond ; ater, Lat., black,—does much more good than harm and should be protected. The most remarkable trait in this species is the unaccountable practice it has of laying its eggs in the nests of other birds, instead of building a nest and hatchiug them icritself. It is a common thing to hear people condemn the Cowbird on account of its parasitic habits. Wilscn says, ‘*‘What reason nature may have for this Se me voritinens deviation from the general hatits of birds is, I confess, altogether beyond my comprehension. Many conjectures indeed might be formed as to the prob- able cause; but all of them, that have occurred to me, are unsatisfactory and inconsistant. Future and more numerous observations, made with care, may throw light on this matter; till then we can only rest satisfied with the reality of the fact.’’ With the large number of observers that we have today, this still remains an unsolved mystery. . The female commences laying the latter part of Ness 22nd the eeaieat date I have found their eggs—and I have found fresh. eggs as late as the 27th of July. This makes over four months as the breeding season; one female might lay a large number of eggs in this time. Of the forty-six bird’s nests that I have examined the past season that contained one or more eggs of the Cowbird, two were in April, twenty in May, twenty-twoin June, two in July, thus showing that in this locality most of the eggs are deposited in May and June. In the forty-six nests, seventy Cowbird’s eggs were found; twenty-six with only one egg of the interloper, fifteen with two, two with three, one ‘with four, one with five. More than fifty-five per cent of the nests found only contained one Cowbird egg. 6 IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. The female Cowbird prepares to find a nest that is just completed and as yet has none of the owners eggs in; here the intruder deposits her egg with confidence that it will hatch first, as ten days will hatch her egg, while twelve or fourteen is required for most eggs of Passeres birds. If the Cowbird finds it necessary to lay her egg in a nest with other eggs, she often rolls one of the owner’s out so that when the mistress returns there will still be the same number of eggs, and probably the exchange will not be noticed. This species has little preference as to the location of the nests in which to deposit her eggs. I have found them from a Prairie Horned Lark’s nest, placed by a hill of corn, and a Pewee’s nest, on a shelf in an old vacant house, the only entrance being a broken pane in a window, to a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher’s nest in the depth of the woods and twenty-five feet from the ground. Of the forty-six nests before spoken of, fourteen were placed on the ground, ten within two feet of the ground, ten between two and ten feet, and twelve more than ten feet from the ground. I have found twenty-five species imposed upon by the Cowbird: i. e., Robin, Towhee, Vesper Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Pewee, Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Indigo bird, Scarlet Tanager, Prairie Horned Lark, Yellow-breasted Chat, Water Thrush, Western Yellow-throat, Oven bird, Meadow Lark, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Redstart. The Field Sparrow and Indigo bird are the species’ that I have found to be mest imposed upon by this imposter, possibly because they are the most plentiful of the small birds nesting in my locality. The only species that has come under my observations which objected to the Cowbird’s egg in its nest was the notorious Kingbird. For a week I made daily visits to an old orchard where a pair of Kingbirds had their nest in one of the old apple trees. I saw the last material brought which completed the home and counted the eggs, one, two, three, but on the morning when I expected to find the fourth when I approached the treeIsaw that a stranger was on the nest; I cannot say whether I or the stranger saw the other first. Nevertheless lady Cowbird made short work of slipping off the nest and reaching the nearest woodland, she not even paused to giveme a morning salutation as the Kingbird was in the habit of doing. Climbing to the nest, I found three of the Kingbird’s eggs and one of the Cowbird’s. Returning in about an hour to see how matters were at the Kingbird home, the female was on the nest and all seemed quiet; but lo, the poor Cow- bird egg was not in the nest, nor under the nest, nor could I find it anywhere. Undoubtedly master Kingbird had removed it. He would not allow his beloved mate to be converted into a foster parent. I have never found a double nest of any of our birds where the owner had built an addition to her nest to cover the Cowbird’s egg, although some writers say that this is often done. : A few words about the great variation in the eggs of this species. Of twenty-five eggs in my collection, the average size is .86 x .69 inches ; the largest .97 x .78; the smallest .75 x .65. It isa noticeable fact that the eggs of the Savage, OBSERVATIONS ON THE COWBIRD. 7 Cowbird always resemble the eggs of the owner that are in the same nest. Their smallest egg that I ever found was in a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher’s nest ; it had very minute markings and actually resembled the Gnatcatcher’s eggs. Eggs in the Meadow Lark’s, Towhee’s and Vesper Sparrow’s nests were im- possible to tell which were which, except by the differently tinted yolks. We now come to the most interesting part of the Cowbird question, the discussion. My object in choosing this subject was not that I had anything of special interest, but contrary-wise, on account of my ignorance and the desire to hear the after-remarks of the fellow-members upon this much con- demned species. a [THE DISCUSSION WHICH FOLLOWED THIS PAPER WILL BE GIVEN IN FULL IN THE NEXT ISSUE.—ED. | NOTES ON THE WARBLERS OF JACKSON CO. BY H. J. GIDDINGS, SABULA. Paper read before the Second Congress of I. O. A. T is not my purpose to give a complete list of the Warblers of Jackson | county, but will simply give a few notes on such species as I have observed during the present season. These notes all refer to the eastern part of this county, which is also the most eastern point of the state, and about the center north and south. Mniotilta varia. BLACK AND WHITE CREEPER. A COMMON migrant, arrivesin last of April. The bulk go further north but a few must breed here, for although I have never found a nest, I have seen both male and female birds during the summer. Protonotaria citrea. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. Is one of the very rare Warblers in this county. Saw a single specimen this season. Helminthophila pinus. BLUE-WINGED YELLOW WARBLER. A RATHER rare breeder. The nests I have found of this species have been placed on low vines and bushes close to the ground in the edge of thickets ; nests bulky, composed of leaves lined with grass, pieces of grapevine and hair. Helminthophila ruficapilla. NASHVILLE WARBLER. THIS species is more common than is generally supposed, its small size and inconspicuious coloring allowing it to escape notice. I found it quite common during migration this season. Helminthophila peregrina. TENNESSEE WARBLER. THIS is one of our most common Warblers during migration, being abund- ant every spring. They arrive about May ist and remain present about two 8 Towa ORNITHOLOGIST. weeks; very noisy and easy to find. I have not found it to vary much in numbers one season with another. Compsothlypis americana, PARULA WARBLER. Tuis interesting little Warbler is a tolerably common migrant and easy to find, for although of small size, it is not shy and easy to approach. It was quite common for a week the past spring. ; Dendroica estiva. YELLOW WARBLER. A common breeder, nesting in low bushes. Too well known to need further comment. ; Dendroica cerulescens. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. Tis I consider as one of our rare Warblers, having only noted it afew times. Dendroica coronata. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Prior to the spring of 1895 this was a very common species here. In former years they usually arrived about the middle of April in large numbers and I have frequently seen them feeding on the ground in plowed fields during cold spells when other food was scare. In the spring of ’95 I did not see over ten individuals and the first not until May 5th. In spring of ’96 they were only noted on two days, April 28th and 29th. The question arises, did the same cause that almost exterminated the Blue birds also desiccrate this species? Dendroica maculosa. MAGNOLIA WARBLER. THis beautiful species is a tolorably common migrant, but owing to its late arrival is not easily seen, by the trees being in leaf ; first was seen May 8th, 1896. Dendroica pensylvanica. CHESNUT-SIDED WARBLER, AN abundant migrant and rare breeder; bulk present about three weeks in Spring. . Dendroica castanea. BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. Is a rather rare migrant, only one specimen seen the present season. This species varies much in numbers in differeut seasons; a few times I have found it to be as common as the Chestnut-sided. ° . Dendroica blackburnic. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. Turis brilliantly colored Warbler seems to be uncertain in its movements, some seasons being quite common and perhaps the next scarcely one tobe found. I saw but a single bird the past spring. Dendroica vigorsii. PINE-CREEPING WARBLER. A VERY rare species. I shot a male April 17th, 1896, and saw another April 20, which is the first I have ever noted here. Dendroica palmarum. PALM WARBLER. A COMMON and early migrant; mostly all gone in a few days. Seiurus aurocapillus. OVEN BIRD. A COMMON breeder ; arrives early for a Warbler and departs early in the fall. Every patch of woods in this locality contains a pair or two during the summer. Giddings, Notes ON THE WARBLERS OF JACKSON COUNTY. 9 Geothlypis formosa. KENTUCKY WARBLER. THIS specie must be classed as rather rare but a few breed here every sea- son. I know of a place where it can be found every season; saw the first, last spring, May 8th, next, May 16th and found a nest on May 29th containing 1 egg and 2 Cowbird eggs, incubation begun. This nest was placed in a bunch of ferns three inches above the ground and well concealed by the ferns hanging over it, it was large and bulky, lower part entirely composed of oak leaves with inner nest of fine twigs and roots and lined with hair. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis. WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT. A COMMON summer resident, but varies much in numbers in different sea- sons. The present, it is one of our most common birds. Its nests are usually placed in the edge of thickets, but I have found them in open pasture fields in a slight depression of the ground by a bunch of grass. Icteria virens. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. Tuts, our largest Warbler and a very handsome bird, is a common summer resident. Upon its first appearance in spring it is very shy and not often seen but as the nesting season approaches the male becomes very noisy and not very hard to approach. In the latter part of the season they are hardly ever seen and are all gone early in August. Sylvania mitrata. HOODED WARBLER. I HAVE only one record of this species; that was in the first of June, the present season. Sylvania canadensis. CANADA WARBLER. THIS species is not very common, but not so rare as might be supposed, its habits of keeping in the tree-tops causing it tobe seldom seen. Setophaga ruticilla. AMERICAN REDSTART. A WELL known species of an unsuspicious nature, an abundant migrant and quite common breeder. The nest of this species closely resembles that of the Yellow Warbler. June 19th, 1896, I found a nest which, as far as position and structure goes, could not be told from a nest of the Yellow Warbler. It was placed in the crotch of a dog-wood, four feet above the ground ; composed of grass and plant-down compacted together, lined with fine grass and feathers and contained three eggs and one egg of the Cowbird. The nests of this species which I have found have never averaged as high above the ground as is usually stated, all of them ranging in height from four to 15 feet and more at four feet than any other height. In conclusion I would state that I seldom find a Warbler’s nest without one or more eggs of the Cowbird and as every one means the destruction of a brood of Warblers would it not be a wise plan for the Association to declare war against this parasite? It appears to me that if every member would constitute himself a committee of one to destroy both eggs and birds whenever possible it might be the means of at least holding this species in check. 10 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. BOB WHITE. BY WILMON NEWELL, HULL, IA. OOKING over the many beautiful and beneficial birds, the lover of Nature, Ls as well as the true sportsman, does not fail to pause and feast his mind’s eye upon. the form and grace of our common game bird, the Quail, The terms, ‘‘Bob White” and “‘Quail,’’ are both widespread in their use but that they both refer to the same bird, Colinws virgin ianws, there is not the least doubt. Though comparatively scarce in portions of the state, yet it is doubtful if the Quail is totally extinct in any one locality. In the central part of the state, and especially around Ames, it is is not a common bird, but flocks are met with in the timber along the Skunk and Des Moines rivers. In this, the north- western portion of the state, they are abundant. The past few mild winters and a stricter enforcement of the game laws have given them a fine chance to increase. Nearly every farmer’s grove has its flock of from ten to thirty, to say nothing of those found in the brush along creeks and rivers. Twenty five years ago a Quail was a rarity in this region, even along the rivers. Like green islands in a desert, the settlers’ groves began to appear here and there over the prairies. Following close behind the pioneers came the Quails and immediately set up housekeeping. The kind hearted settlers did not drivethem away nor did the hunter’s gun disturb their domestic affairs. Forced to avoid only their natural enemies, they took to the groves and there nested in the weeds and leaves. Nests containing twenty eggs were common and the author has counted as high as twenty-seven in a single nest. Such large sets were probably laid by two or more birds, whether owing to lack of proper nesting sites we cannot say. What a picture of peace and harmony they were, undisturbed by man. Their nesting habits are essentially the same at present but they have become more wary. When the eggs are hatched, the mother leaves the nest with her little ones and begins the hunt for food. They follow her much as do young Prairie Chickens or even our own tame chicks. Cute, little, downy fel- lows they are too. Lively at all times, they are veritable streaks of lightning when they take after a bug or vie with each other for some tempting morsel found by the mother. Full growth is obtained in the latter part of summer and by early winter the birds have become plump and fat. As soon as the first light snow is on the ground, the local sportsmen are after them in full force: A knowledge of the birds’ habits gives the hunter an unfair advantage. During this season the Quails leave their roosting place in a grove about daylight and feed along the read until sunrise or a little later. Then if a corn-field be handy they will trot into it and, keeping well together, feed through the field during the forenoon. Of course if snow has fallen the previous afternoon or night, their tracks are distinctly visible and the hunter readily tracks them into the corn-field where, by careful walking, he can get within easy range. At a slight noise the Quails will invariably run close to- gether or dart into a bunch of weeds or grass. At this moment a single shot _ Newell, Bos Wuire. 11 from the pot hunter will work great slaughter. Ten or a dozen birds, out of a flock of fifteen or twenty, at a single shot is the usual number killedin this way. Once fired into, the remaining birds scatter in every direction. Each indi- vidual Quail looks out for himself and after flying thirty or forty rods, alights, runs a few rods more and then completely hides in a bunch of husks or any- thing else handy. Here he stays and he has got to be literally kicked out before you can get a shot at him. When he does get out, though he does it with a whir-r-r, and without ceremony, it takes a mighty good shot to interfere with his inten- tion of going somewhere else. Once in a while a hunter is found who can shoot them on the wing and rarely miss, but as far as the local nimrod is concerned they are perfectly safe. A severe winter is very hard on our little friends and one such so nearly exterminates them that four or five years are required for them to regain their numbers. They roost in the groves or along sloughs and fences. The colder the weather the closer they huddle together to keep warm. This attempt at self preservation proves their destruction for the drifting snow buries and some- times smothers them. Not until spring thaws can one realize the destruction. Well do we remember how the tears of pity used to fill our eyes during the severe winter several years ago when hundreds of the poor creatures perished. Shooting Quail is considered a very fine sport and true it is that a steadier nerve and a quicker action are nowhere required than at this pastime. Be that as it may, the lover of Nature must raise his hand against such sport for it is cruel and useless. The amount of meat on a single bird will not pay for the time and trouble required to. killit. Such shooting is no more than satisfying the bloodthirsty brute nature of the shooter. As far as the skill is concerned, that could just as well be acquired and used somewhere else. During the winter, if unmolested, the Quails become exceedingly tame. They will wander around the barnyards and even eat with the tame fowls. The farmer zealously protects them and woe unto the man or boy who attempts to thin out his flock of Quails. Would that the farmer realized as well the im- portance of preserving many of our other birds, especially the hawks and owls. If we could enlist the farmers in our cause, success in the protection of our birds would be assured. As it is, however, many species are approaching rapid and total extinction and our utmost efforts can stay their end but a few short years. Nevertheless let us do our feathered friends a good turn when we have an oppor- ° tunity. One such opportunity we have in discouraging the killing of our Quails. If anyone possesses the bloodthirsty desire to slay them, let him steal upon them, without dog or gun, in their natural haunts and there study their matchless innocence and beauty. Then if he can harm one of them without a conscious pang of sorrow and regret, his must be a hardened heart indeed. ; ee An Accidental Visitor. Mr. Franck C. Pellet of Atlantic sends me a discription of what will prove to be one of the murres, probably the Atlantic form, Uria troile Linn. It was captured alive, but thoroughly exhausted, Dec. 20th near Atlantic and died soon after. It has been mounted and is now in Mr. Pellett’s collection. A strange visitor for our state, surely. J. H. Brown, Davenport, Ia. 12 IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. THE NEW YEAR’S WORK. ITH the commencement of our 1897 work, let. us bear in mind the work Ww of our Association now under way and so shape our spring work as s fo be of the greatest value to that. . All points in doubt should receive special at- tention, as well as the rare birds and especially the rarer nesting birds ; the Flycatchers, Warblers, rare Vireos, etc. The food of all the birds coming: under our observation should be carefully noted also, and deductions made from these as to their economic value to the agriculturist of our state. Among points of special interest for the spring ie ef would suggest the following :=-The Wrens, especially by observers in the ‘southern and eastern parts of the state; the ‘“Traill’s Flycatchers,’’ by observers both in. the eastern and western part of the state ; and the Shrikes, both i in, the southern and north- ern part of the state. The Wrens and Shrikes are not easy to differentiate among the closely related species, and with regard to the ‘‘Traill’s Flycatcher”’ it seems to me that the prevailing form in our state will be found ..to be. the Little Flycatcher, in- stead of Traill’s. Among the waders. there seems to be room for observation also, and among the Sparrows too, both migrant and summer residents. Mr. Savage has suggested that I take up this work to be reported upon at our next congress., So if the members will send me such skins of species about which there i is any doubt as to their identification, I will do the best I can with them and we ean hold an informal ‘“‘inquest’’ at the next congress, after which, of course, all specimens will be returned to the collectors. And last but not least, let us have full reports from each member of the birds having come under his obseryation, both migrants and: breeders, ‘and when he has observed the same species in two or more counties, let us have all the records, as the distribu- tion of the birds within our state will be of great importance. J. H. Brown, Davenport, Ta. "BIRD: MIGRATION IN IOWA. N the winter of 1881-’82, Prof. W. Ww, Cooke made an attempt to secure the | assistance of the ornithologists of Towa i in studying the migration of birds ; but a change of residence on,,the part of Mr. Cooke from Iowa to Minnesota, made it necessary to modify the original scheme, and it was desided to increase the area to be investigated to the whole Mississippi - alley, the admirable re- port—Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley—published by the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, being the outcome of. this co-operation. The scheme of studying bird migration in Iowa has never been.resumed. In prepairing the ‘‘Birds of Iowa’’: wath annotated notes, the compilation committee thought a.proper course to pursue. would be to. study the bird waves which pass through, the state, during the spring ‘of 1897. In order to do this suc- cessfully we must have the co-operation of a large corps of. workers well distri- buted throughout. the state. Not only do we solicit aid from all the. members of the Iowa Ornithologist. Association, but from every observing ornithologist i in the state and adjoining states. Our method of work will be the same as Prof. W. W. Cooke used in prepairing his work. BIRD MIGRATION IN Iowa. 13 We desire observers to send in reports at the close of each month. First, let those willing to contribute, write us at earliest convenience, giving the report for January. We will give full credit for all notes submitted. For the instruc- tion of observers, a copy of January, 1897, bird movements at Salem, Ia., Lat. 41 degrees, 40 minutes, observed by David L Savage, is given. SYNOPSIS OF MIGRATION, Lat. 41° 40' From January Ist TO JANUARY 81th, 1897. Wind in east. 6é Jan. 5 ‘ Mild and damp. ) | Moderately cold. Theo. 10% Ground bare. Warm for winterweath’r frozen over. A few Robins, Mourning Doves, and Flickers are ) with us yet. First flock of Geese. Three inches of snow. Light snow on _ the ground. Nosledding on | 4 ) eC it Creeks not entirely 66 19 |. the roads. «« 23) Cold wave, with snow ) OS at storm. 66 a ie Coldest period. Ground covered with by m1 1 e-Theo. 15% on the 25th. four inches of snow. HGEISS INOZEL, 66 a 3 80 7 81 J Of course, as the season advances, the bird movements become more marked and the climatic changes will not form as conspicuous a part in the report. This in no wise supplements the work of the check-lists, which we sent out with the October Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. We acknowledge receipt of check-lists from the following persons: i. e., Ernest Irons, Council Bluffs ; br. Guy C. Rich, Sioux City ; Walter G. Savage, Hillsboro; Edmonde I. Currier, Keokuk ; Rob’t. A. Tomlinson, Alden; J. Eugene Law, Perry; J. A. Savage, Hillsboro; R. D. Goss, New Sharon; Wm. A. Bryan, New Sharon; Mary L. Raun, Manchester ; Wm. E. Praeger, Keokuk; C. C. Smith, Decorah; Lynda Jones, Oberlin, Ohio; Isador S. Frostler, Omaha, Neb.—the last two named having collected in Iowa. Let all those who received the check-lists fill them out immediately, a cross in front of the bird’s name to indicate summer resident and a dash not summer resident. Take a little time and send your check-list in at cnce, as you hinder the work of the committee by delaying. The chairman of the committee desires to receive a letter from every member of the I. O. A. before the middle of March. Davin L. SAvaGeE, Ch’m. Paut Bartscu, CuHaAs. R. KEYES, JOHN V. CRONE, Morton BH. PECK, H. J. GIppInes. Committee on Compilation. 14 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. ZIM — 4 New books and other publications will be reviewed in this department. Authors wishing publications reviewed should send them to the Editor, who will examine ‘hem personally and give them due con-ideration. ‘‘Anderson’s Birds of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, lowa.’’—The second list of a series, which it is hoped will continue to be published by Iowa ornithologists. These lists have an inestimable value in the preparation of the ‘Birds of Iowa’’ now under way by the I. O. A. committee. The topography of these counties show that their greater area is prairie and marsh land and the large number of water birds, seldom found in other’ parts of the state, make this list of especial value. The list is based mainly on observations made by the writer within the last six years. Of the 216 species noted, 16 are classified as perma- nent residents, 101 as summer residents and 99 as transient and winter visitors. The list is handsomely printed, comparatively free from typographical errors and is a welcome addition to the ornithological literature of the state. ‘Forbush on the Crow in Massachusetts.’’ This paper is divided into the following headings: i. e., Migration, Gregarious Habits, Mating and Nesting Habits, Digestive Capacity of the Crow, Food of the Crow, the Protection of the Crops, Is the Crow a Friend. Under each division there is from one to eight pages of interesting and valuable information. In answering the often asked question—Is the Crow a Friend?—the writer says: ‘The wholesale de- straction of Crows is said to have been followed by a remarkable increase of in- jurious insects, and from what is now known about the Crow’s food we may conclude that, unless the birds become unduly numerous, they are likely to be of great service to the farmer. It will pay the farmer to sacrifice some portion of his products to the Crow, provided he uses care that the cunning bird does not over-reach him in his bargain.”’ PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. - Forbush, E. H., ‘‘The Crow in Massachusetts.’’ (Mass. Crop Report for August, 1896, pp. 24-40.) : Jones, Lynds, ‘General Notes.” Bulletin, Nos. 9, 10, 11. Wilson Orn. Chap. Agassiz Assn. July, Sept., Nov., 1896. Auk, Vol. 14, No. 1, January, 1897. Le Naturaliste Canadien, Vol. 23, Nos. 9-12, Oct., Dec., 1896. Maseum, Vol. 3, Nos. 1-3, Nov.-Dec., 1896, Jan., 1897. Nidologist, Vol. Nos. 3, 4, 4, 5, (combined) Noy.-Dec.-Jan., 1896-’97. + Oologist, Vol. 14, Nos. 1-2, Jan. Feb., 1897. : Oregon Naturalist. Osprey, Vol. 1, No. 8, November, 1896, Popular Science News, Vol. 31, Nos. 1-2, Jan.-Feb., 1897. Oar nowk Wwe MEMBERS OF THE I. O. A. MEMBERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST ASSOCIATION, JANUARY, 1897. ACTIVE MEMBERS. (Omission of date indicates a founder.) Anderson, R. M., Forest City, - - 6 : 2 Andrews, Earnest, Boone, - cS = Es eB Arildson, P. C., Rock Rapids, = 2 = : = Ball, Carleton R., Ames, - - = = - Bailey, Bert H., Cedar Rapids, = = ie = 2 Bartoch, Paul, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D. C., Beed, V. L., Hampton, - = ie = = Brown, J. H., Davenport, - - - ore eet Bryan, W. A., New Sharon, - = = = Burge, Geo. H., Mt. Vernon, = ES SOU Sai teorp eati se Carter, Chas., Fairfield, - - +. < Pay Carhart, W.G., Marion, . = = - > 3 Coleman, W. G., Boone, - ee = = 2 Conrad, A. H., Fairfield, - = = 5)F 2 Crone, John Y., Sheriden, Wyoming, aye - : Currier, Edmonde S., Keokuk, - Men 2 ef Fitzpatrich, T. J., Lamoni, lowa, pees ea vs = Gaymore, Mary L., Iowa City, - - = : Giddings, H. J., Sabula, - - = ees ales Godley, A. P., Le Grand, - - = = = Halvorsen, M. Earl, Forest City, - - a = Heaton, Hiram, Glendale, = eae apts Henning, Carl Fritz, Boone, - - - = Irons, Earnest, Council Bluffs, - - - 2 Johnson, A. I., Des Moines, - = 3 = Keyes, Chas. R., Mt. Vernon, - = = 2 e Law, J. Kugene, Perry, - - - : : Loomis, W. W., Clermont, - - - - : Myers, P. C., lowa City, - - - - - Newell, Wilmon, Hull, - - E : E Olney, R. H., Marathon, - 2 es 2 Z Peck, Morton E., LaPorte City, - - - = Peters, John, Boone, - - - - = - Pierce, Robert F., Salem : : 3 s Sin Rann, Mrs. Mary L., Manchester, - - - - Rich, Dr. Guy C., Sioux City, - - e - - Richardson, F. G., Mason City, - - - S Savage, Walter G., Hillsboro, - - - : Savage, David L., Salem, = - = 2 = Searles, W. W., Lime Springs, S - : : Shoemaker, Frank H., Hampton, : 2 2 = Smith, C. C., Decorah, = = é - - = 43 Statler, Earl C., Brighton, - - - - - 1895 44 Tomlinson, Robert A., Alden, - - - - 1895 45 Triem, Mrs. M. A., Manchester, - - - - 1895 46 Tryon, Chas. C., Avoca, - - - - = ae 47 Walters, Mrs. Gus., Cedar Falls, - - - - 1895 48 Watson, James C., Hull, - - - - - 1895 49 Weidman, Joe, Ames, - - - - - - 1896 50 Webster, E. B., Cresco, | - - - - - os 51 Woods, Paul C., Spencer, - - r - - oe HONORARY MEMBERS. 1 Crouch, R. J., DeWitt, : E - : : - 1896 2 Goss, R. D., New Sharon, - - - - - 1894 3 Savage, William, Wilsonville, - - - . - 1894 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. 1 Brown, Walter E., Mason City. Ia. - - - ‘. 1896 2 Brown, J. A., Mason City, Ia. - - - - 1896 3 Brull, Max W., St. Anthony Park, Minn. - - - 1896 4 Chase, Frank W., Marshall, Minn. - - - - 1896 5 Dyer, George E., Housten, Minn. - - - - 1896 © 6 Ellsworth, A. D., Winona, Minn. - - - - 1896 7 Farmer, A. M., Clinton, Mass. _ . - - - - - 1896 8 Flint, H. W., New Haven, Conn. > - - - - 1894 9 Griffiths, B. E., Omaha, Neb, - - - - - 1894 10 Gurdsen, W. C., Victoria, Minn. - - - - - 1896 ul Lincoln, Robert E., Fergus Falls, Minn. - - - 1895 12 Maycock, William H., Salem, Ia. -. - - - 1894 13 May, Fred, Minneapolis, Minn. - - - - 1895 14 McGintz, Paul P., Athens, Georgia - - - me 1894 15 McLaughlin, Herald M., Mason City, Ia. - - - 1894 16 Moore, J. Russel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - - - 1895 17 , Mulliken, W. E. Grand Rapids, Mich. - - - - 1895 18 Palmer, William M., New York, N. Y. - - - 1896 19 Shaw, W. T. St., Anthony Park, Minn. - - - 1895 20 Shearer, Arnon R., Wallisville, Texas. - - - 1895 21 Wirt, W. J., Gaines, New York - - - - 1894 22 Zerwas, Philip, Carroll, Inwa = £ ‘ 3 “ PLEASANT FIELDS AND WOODLANDS If you are fond ot fresh air and restful, rural re- treats, read GAMELAND, the gentle magazine of outdoor life. It reveals virgin woods and waters. Yearly,to any address, $1 Three-trial numbers, 25c. No free copies. GAME- LAND Pup. Co., 13 Astor Place, New York, N:Y. Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. EIGHT SHOWY SEA SHELLS FOR $.50 Fourteen for $1, or both collections $1.25 sent by mail postpaid and safe arrival guaranteed. All are perfect specimens. Illustrated price list mailed free. Dealers - supplied at low prices and all inquiries © answered promptly. Send for trade list. J. H. HOLMES, Dunedin, Fla. et H tle . | | ; s i, Yg4, “i SNOWY OWL. | Nyctea nyctea. ~ g 3 * . J i ao . ‘ ‘ ¥ be a7 a - . f ’ 5 : " '* \ 7 Oat 2 7 ~*. ’ f, Sy A eh tere behets ef Ae ot era : ale : es ol P SD aa ad By ge ee . Dy? hand La CA es at a “Savi? The # lowa # Ornitbetogist. Vol. Hl. APRIL. 1897. No. Il. THE IOWAN RAPTORES. BY CHAS. R. KEYES. Paper read before the Second Congress of I. O. A. Continued From Last Issue. (14)—Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. AMERICAN ROUGH- : LEGGED HAWK. THe American Rough-legged Hawk, one of the largest of our Hawks and distinguished by its feathered tarsus, is found throughout the whole of North America, but is only a winter resident south of Canada. It breeds mainly north of the St. Lawrance river, and so has no especial influence on agriculture. It is known, however, to be of a peaceful disposition, using the most humble food, which consists principally of meadow mice and small rodents. Although breeding in localities in British America where valuable game birds are abundant, it is seldom, if ever, known to disturb them. (15)—Archibuteo ferrwgineuws. FERRUGINOUS ROUGH-LEG. THe Ferruginous Rough-leg is a large, powerful, and handsome species, common on the Great Plains of the west. It is occasionally, only, in Iowa. Its habits are similar to those of the Rough-legged Hawk, its food consisting chiefly of small rodents, as gophers, mice, prairie dogs, ete., which abound in prairie regions which it inhabits. ; (16)—Halicwetus leweocephalus. BALD EAGLE. Tne Bald Eagle is not as common in Iowa as formerly and can scarcely be classed as a common bird here. However, pairs of these Eagles are frequently seen along our water courses, especially in the early spring, and occasional pairs are known to breed in the state. For a bird of its glory it is hardly as useful as it should be. While seldom, affecting the farmer’s interests directly, it destroys large numbers of birds which, at least, are not prejudicial to his interests. Its principal articles of diet are water fowl of various kinds, geese, brant, ducks, cormorants and others. It also uses fish, often captured at second hand from the American Ospey, and has been known to eat carrion. This last, though, is probably made use of only when other food is not procurable. Cases of these birds catching young lambs, and-even young children, and flying away with them, as has sometimes been reported, must be very rare indeed, if not in most cases fables. (17)—Faleo mexicanus. PRAIRIE FALCON. THe Prairie Falcon is casual to lowa, being common on the Great Plains of the West. Itis probably more harmful than beneficial, as it lives largely on 18 Towa ORNITHOLOGIST. other birds, as Black birds, Doves, Pigeons, Meadow lLarks and various game birds. It lives partly on hares, where these are abundant, and on small rodents of various kinds; but this is the case when other food is scare. (18)—Fualeo peresrinus anatum. DUCK HAWK. 2 THE Duck Hawk, or Peregrine Falcon, resident in Iowa, and might almost be classed as arare bird. It certainly cannot be called common. It is the boldest of our birds of prey, and it would seem that, from an economic stand- pceint, it is almost indefensible. Its focd consists of the different species of Ducks ; game birds, such as Bob Whites, Pigeons and Grouse; Hares, various small birds and domestic fowls. (19)—Faleo ecolumbarius. PIGEON HAWK. Tris bird is occasionally seen in Iowa during the fall and winter seasons, - but it is rare that a pair breeds here, as the great majority spend the spring and summer farther north or in higher altitudes than are found in Iowa. The food of the Pigeon Hawk consists, to a great extent, of small birds. It is said that it will not hesitate to attack one fully as large or even larger than itself. Its diet in summer is made of insects, as grasshoppers, crickets, ete. (20)—Faleo sparveriws. AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK. TuE little Sparrow Hawk is a common summer resident in Iowa. On ac- count of its size it has often been confounded with the Sharp-shinned Hawk, and has been accused of sins which should have been laid to the charge of this latter species. Although the Sparrow Hawk sometimes kills small birds, especially in winter when food is scarce, yet its food is made up for the most part of small rodents, insects and larvae of various kinds, lizards and small snakes. When grasshoppers are abundant they form the bulk of its fare. (21)—Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. AMERICAN OSPREY. ECONOMICALLY the American Osprey seems to have little effect either for good or evil. According to Capt. Charles Bendire of the U.S. Army, ‘The food of the Osprey consists entirely of fish, and these are usually the inferior species, such as are seldom used for the table.’ Although the bird is nearly cosmopolitan in distribution, it is uncommon in Iowa; at least it is a rare species in the vicinity of Mt. Vernon. (22)—Strix pratincola. AMERICAN BARN OWL, THE Barn Owl is rare north of latitude 41°, and so is not common in Iowa. Few birds are more’valuable from an economic standpoint than the Owl, though it is subject to much persecution from the mistaken supposition that it robs the poultry yard. This supposition gains its plausibility from the fact that the bird is so commonly seen in the neighborhood of barns and outhouses. As a matter of fact the Barn Owl subsists almost entirely on noxious vermine, as mice, rats, ground squirrels, pouched gophers, small reptiles, bats, frogs and such insects as crickets, grasshoppers and beetles. It is rare that a small bird Keyes, Tar lowan RAPToreEs. 19 becomes a prey to this species, though doubtless scarcety of other food would sometimes make this the case. (23)—Asio wilsonianus. AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL. THIS is a common species in Iowa, and is also a useful and almost harmless species. Remains of poultry and of birds are sometimes found in the stomachs of these birds, but this isa rare occurance. By the larger part of their food consists of squirrels, chip-munks, gophers, mice and frogs. (24)—Asio accipitrinuws. SHORT-EARED OWL. THe Short-eared Owl is also common in this state, being resident, as is also the Long-eared species, throughout the year. It is the owl commonly seen fly- ing low oyer the open meadows and sloughs. It is undoubtedly a beneficial species, using as the articles of its diet small rodents of various kinds, principally meadow mice and gophers, as also grasshoppers and different kinds of insects. Occasionally a small bird enters into the bill of fare. (25)—Syrnium nebulosum. BARRED OWL. THIs is a large species common everywhere in lowa where large timber exists. Being almost as large as the Gt. Horned Owl it sometimes receives dis- credit which should be given to the latter species. The experiments of Dr. C. Hart Merriam, of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, tend to show that the Barred Owl is far more beneficial than otherwise. Of ninety-five stomachs examined only three contained poultry; twelve, other birds, none of which were game birds ; forty contained mice; fifteen, other mammals, among these only a few rabbits afid timber-squirrels; four, frogs; nine, crawfish; two, fish; sixteen were empty. Besides these, snakes, earth-worms, grasshoppers and different species of beetles and flies are eaten. Meadow mice seem to be the staple diet with this species. The writer remembers one nest containing young birds that was almost lined with mice tails, these being the only remains of food of any kind found in or near the nest cavity. (26)—Nyctala acadica. SAW-WHET OWL. THE Saw-Whet or Acadia Owl is the smallest member of the family found in Eastern North America, and cannot be said to be common anywhere. It is an innocent bird for the most part, not often making a meal on a small bird of any kind. Its food is made up of mice and other small rodents for the most part. Probably frogs and insects are also eaten. (27)—Megascops asio. SCREECH OWL. Tre Screech Owl is well known in Iowa and is common. It is one of the most profitable and useful of birds and deserves protection on account of the great numbers of mice and other rodents and noxious insects destroyed by it yearly. Crawfish, frogs and caterpillars are also eaten by this species. It sel- dom molests a bird. 20 Towa ORNITHOLOGIST, (28)—Bubo virginianuws. GREAT HORNED OWL. Or the Owls commonly found in Iowa, the Gt. Horned alone seems to stand guilty and convicted of a long list of crimes, which make the bird harmful rather than beneficial. Is the largest and most powerful Owl in America, is common in Jowa and a resident throughout the year. It is not only generally conceded to be the most destructive of all our Raptores, but is said by some to commit more damage than all other species together. It is a frequent visitor to the poultry yard, where it kills numbers of chickens, turkeys, pigeons, ducks, geese, and Guinea fowls, even entering the coops after these at times, as many a farmer can testify. Bubo also plays sad havoc among the game birds, being the most dreaded enemy of the Grouse, Bobwhites, Prairie Hers and others. But one of the worst features of the bird’s disposition is that it is wanton, kill- ing many more victims than it needs for food, and often simply eating the heads of its prey if it can obtain these in sufficient number. Among mammals which are killed by the Gt. Horned Owl may be mentioned rabbits, squirrels, skunks, muskrats and the smaller rodents. (29)—Bubo virginianus swharticus. WESTERN HORNED OWL. TuIs is a lighter colored form of the preceding species, which is rare in Iowa. In disposition it does not differ from the Gt. Horned Owl. (S30)—Nyctea nyctea. SNOWY OWL. THE Snowy Owl reaches Iowa only in midwinter from the north and is fairly common only. The good done by this bird in destroying noxious rodents seems to be about counterbalanced by the damage done to the game and water birds. = In addition to the above species the American Goshawk and Richardson’s Merlin have been reported in Iowa. They must, however, be exceedingly rare and for the present will be disregarded. A few conclusions from the above study may reasonably be drawn : First—Of the thirty species enumerated above, only eight, viz., the Sharp- shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Bald Eagle, Prairie Falcon, Duck Hawk, Pigeon Hawk, Gt. Horned Owl and Western Horned Owl are more harmful than beneficial. Seconp—Of the eight harmful species only two, viz., Cooper’s Hawk and Gt. Horned Owl are common enough to have any appreciable effect on economic interests. TuIRD—No objection could be made if a price were set upon the heads of the last two for practical purposes, and on the other six for the sake of con- sistency. FourtH—The other twenty-two species should be recognized by law as ben- eficial, or, better still, the farmer should look upon them as promoters of his own interests, and protect them for his own sake. The question may be asked how are the two harmful species to be known from the harmless and beneficial ones. Quite easily. Every farmer’s boy Keyes, THe lowAN RAPYoREs. 21 knows the “Big Hoot Owl, with ears on his head.’ It is the largest Owl we rave. The Cooper’s Hawk is sometimes called the ‘Bullet Hawk’’ from the swiftness of its flight. It is also known as the ‘‘Small Hen Hawk,”’ both names being appropriate. It is smaller in appearance than a crow, has a tail long in proportion to its body, is slaty-brown in color, and is usually quick and nervous in its movements. —~49 > THE WRENS OF BURLINGTON, IOWA. BY PAUL BARTSCH. ERHAPS no other group of birds in this locality is more interesting than P our little busy bodies, the Wrens. Their queer, ever variable attitudes mingled with spirit of mischief and restlessness make then a pleasing mark to the eye. Should we spend some time in watching them in the performance of their domestic duties, beginning with courtship, wars, selection of nesting sight, and finally view the happy family, we will agree to ascribe to them superior intellect over many of their feathered companions. THE most abundant of the five species is the Hoase Wren (7roglodytes aedomn), the tenant of our bird box, the fearless enemy of the English Sparrow, with whom he successfully copes for the right to this, their domicile. * The little fellow arrives about April 25th from his Southern journey and at once greets us With his vivacious, rattling song. He inspects the premises most carefully and gives vent to his pleasure in his ceaseless chant. The female soon follows, maybe a day or two later and is joyfully received by her mate. Many skirmishes now take place between the Sparrows and the Wren but Mr. Wren generally holds his own and finally lays claim: to the bird house, which has been cleaned on his return: He now has a mania for filling up every box with sticks and frequently becomes a nuisance when he persists in filling a mail box not intended for that purpose. Even this passes and graver duties call his attention. Hehas been quiet for some time, only occasionally in early morning and perhaps at eve has his song greeted our ears, and his angry rattle warns us when we approach too close to the house containing his treasures. Mrs. Wren seems absent most of the time for we seldom see her and when she appears on the scene it is only to take a sun bath and some food and then she returns quietly to her beauties. In. due time we are informed of the pres- ence of a younger generation by the sounds that eminate from the bird house. New life seems to have entered the pair and busily they both carry feed to the young family, and hundreds and hundreds of trips do they make in a single day, always prepared to place something into their gaping bills. Most interesting of all, is the family on the move, the angry warning rattle hardly ever ceases. Cats, dogs, everything that creates the least suspicion is scolded by the pair, * These notes were taken from observations made ou a pair which in- habited one of our bird houses for a number of years. 22 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. leading the young about the fences, through the arbor, the trees and shrubs, inspecting the wood sheds and stables. The neighbor’s yard is next subjected to a similar scrutiny and soon the whole family leaves the premises seeking a wider field of action, the work of the season being complete. The bird house is by no means the only place used as nesting site by this bird, natural cavities in trees, old Woodpecker nests, mail boxes, cornices of houses and sheds, I have even seen them enter the space between the plastering and outer wall in a frame house through a knot hole. Anything possessing an opening and containing a suitable cavity may serve this purpose. Some of the rarer instances that have come under my observation were nests in cliffs and on the switch board of an arc lamp. In the last case the nest was destroyed daily for a week or more by the trimmer of the lamps, but the Wrens persisted and it was always found pretty well advanced in construction the following day. At my request it was finally allowed to remain and it was not so bad a place after all for numerous insects, killed the previous night by the light, were within the globe each day and furnished the Wren family with many a rare morsel in compensation for the disturbance which they endured during the night, or maybe the sizzling and rattling of the lamp were looked upon as a lullaby. THE next in abundance is the Short-billed Marsh Wren (Cistothorus stellaris). Contrary to the habit of his relative, the House Wren, he shuns the busy haunts of men and seeks the solitude of the marshy prairie. You may find him in abundance in swampy prairie traversed by a little rivulet, bordered by wild rice (Zizanta aquatica L.). Here he makes his home and contrary to his pugnacious brother he seeks the company of his fellow Marsh Wren, breeding in colonies. It is indeed a pleasing sight to walk along the edge of one of these rills as Old Sol floods the scene with his morning light and kisses the sparkling drops from every reed now bent with dew. The little songster’s lisping song, a plain ditty, will greet you on every hand; and bunched up on some tall reed you will see the performer with his cocked up tail and distended throat sending forth his morning prayer. He’s not shy but will allow you to approach quite close looking you over and as if to say, you will not harm me, he continues his simple song. The nest attached to some reeds near the ground consists of a woven mass of marsh grass,—a sub-spherical ball with an opening at the side—the interior being lined with finer material. I have often wondered how many nests one pair builds, for nests are very common, but eggs, well that is another question. Many times will the oologist pass his finger into a nest, only to find it empty and it required some time ere I perceived that the new nest which seemed ready for the compliment of eggs was nothing more than an effort of the male to keep himself busy while his mate was covering her jewels in an unattractive old looking nest. THE Long-billed Marsh Wren (Sistothorus palustris) the cousin and neighbor of the last named specie is found in the same locality but sparingly only, and I have as yet to find a nest. In habit he resembles his lesser friend, possessing, however, a more secretive nature. Often have I chased one of these Bartsch, Tue WRENS OF BURLINGTON, Iowa. 23 for a hundred yards or more through tall reeds and duck weed (Veluwmbiuwm luteum Willd.) getting a glimpse of him now and then but never long enough to take an aim and finally loosing sight of him. The bubbling song always reminds me of a flock of Black Birds in the distance. THE fourth in order of abundance is the Bewick’s Wren ( Thryothorus bewickit). This bird is a rather uncertain summer resident; for some years he will fail to put in appearance and the next he may be quite abundant. This strong voiced bird with his long whisping tail, like the House Wren, seeks the habitation of man. The long tail lends him a rather queer aspect and the perpetual sweeping of this organ in accent to every note, twist or turn cause him to appear not only comic but even ludicrous. Of all the birds about our yard I think he is the most pleasing as one never tires of his attitudes. Two instances of his breeding within our city limits have come under my personal observation and in both cases the nest was placed in a shed on the beam supporting the roof, i. e. where theroof joins the wall. Both were bulky affairs ; the space, about 8x 10 inches, was filled for more than three feet with sticks of various sizes. The nest proper, near the center was well lined with feathers from the common fowl, picked up about the yard, and contained a set of six (May 25th, 1892, and May 30th, 1893,) which in each case were left unmolested in order to give me an opportunity to observe the birds for a longer period. The Bewick’s Wren is not contented with the limited stamping ground but will roam over considerable territory. Even in nesting time he seems to follow the same route daily and if you have once followed him in his morning rambles from fence to fence, yard to yard and bush to bush, you can easily keep in his wake a second morning, for his path is practically the same. Only when the young have made their appearance does he restrict his rambles to the immediate vicinity and like the House Wren, his only ambition now seems to be to keep the little gaping mouths supplied with food. Assoon as the young are able to move, the pair lead them off into new fields and consequently from our sight. THE last of the lot, the Winter Wren (7roslodytes hiemalis), is a winter resident, not common to be sure, yet one can always find him in his sea- son if one knows where to seek him. When most of our birds have sought a warmer clime and the fast falling leaves speak of approaching winter; when the advance Snow Bird mingles with the host of retreating Myrtle Warblers and the Blackbirds’ flying train seems endless, then our little inconspicuous friend comes from his Northern abode to spend with us the cheerless winter. The rocky bluffs along the Mississippi and its tributaries are his domain. The rougher the crag and denser the brush that bounds it the better it suits his Wrenship. He is a very quiet unattractive bird, uttering only a few notes of displeasure when disturbed as his short flight takes him from one retreat to another. He carefully inspects the numerous crevices of the rocky cliffs and gleans from them his sustenance. Returning spring finds him restless and more active, preparing for his colder home, and when the last of the Snow Birds have left us, he is sure to have disappeared from his favorite haunts. 24 lows ORNITHOLOGIST. NOTES AND NEWS. R. J. H. BROWN writes that a Golden Eagle was captured not far from Davenport in December of 1896. Mr. Davin L. SAvAGE will deliver a scientific lecture on ‘‘The Wonders of the Bird World’’ at Glendale, Iowa, the evening of April 27th. DuRING the months of March and April, thousands of Crows gathered every evening at a roost in Jefferson county, near the home of Mr. Hiram Heaton. Mr. GeorGeE C. Hoover, of West Branch, Iowa, writes that he has in his collection a specimen of Murre (Uvria troile) taken in Johnson eounty, in January of this year. Mr. FRANK H. SHOEMAKER has left Hampton, Iowa, and located in Omaha, Nebraska. He is not forgetful of the I. O. A., but sends his wishes that it may have the greatest possible success. Pror. FRANK A. WILDER has a zoology class at Ft. Dodge, Iowa, which is working up a list of birds of Webster county. He writes that if they can assist the committee on the ‘‘List of lowa Birds’’ they will be pleased to do it. Mr. Lynps JONES, an instructor in Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, writes : Tam very glad that the I. O. A. committee is pushing the work of a new list of lowa birds. My heart is still in my adopted state (lowa) and many times I find myself planning to return. Mr. CHARLES R. Keyes, of Blairstown, Iowa, found a nest of the Red- tailed Hawk on April 6th containing one fresh egg. On April 10th, a nest of the Long-eared Owl containing three eggs and three young. His latest record in the first case and the earliest in the other. A LETTER from Mr. Ernest Irons, of the University of Chicago, (formerly Council Bluffs, lowa,) says that he is preparing an article for the Iowa ORNI- THOLOGIST on the ‘Field Columbian Museum,”’ touching the points of interest to the ornithologist. He will have it ready for the July issue. Mr. Cart FRitZ HENNING writes that his friend, Mr. Cal Brown, on October 23, (1896) secured an albino English Sparrow. © He first noticed it on the 22nd, with a flock of twelve, feeding on the ground. Mr. Henning pre- sented the specimen to Hon. Charles Aldrich, who has had it mounted for the state. A WELL written and timely article, entitled ‘‘Eird Fictures,’’ appeared in Scribners Magazine for April. The writer, W. E. Scott, scores the conven-. tional method of bird-stuffing and furnishes eight pictures of birds mounted according to his ideas. He states that the bain of this werk has been copying and imitating, not observing and originating. Mr. W. E. PRAEGER delivered a lecture on ‘‘Our Birds’ at Keokuk, Iowa, on the evening of the 19th of March. The lecture was illustrated by a collection Nores AND NEws. . 25 of several hundred bird skins and other ornithological curios. Admission to the lecture, 25 cents. This was a very entertaining and instructive lecture, arousing in the hearers, a new interest in our constant companions, the birds. ~ Pror. A. J. Burrinaton, of Salem, Iowa, has become much interested in watching a colony of Eave Swallows contending with a number of those dis- reputable foreigners—English Sparrows—that had taken up the abode of the Swallows’ before their arrival. He estimated that the Swallows in the colony would number near three hundred, the Sparrows being way in the minority, yet many were the hotly contested battles before the latter surrendered their claims of proprietorship. The last report was that for several days no Sparrows had been seen in the neighborhood. THE editor of the Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST is preparing a series of papers, entitled ‘‘Birds of the Midland Region,’’ for the Midland Monthly, of Des Moines, Lowa. The first paper will appear in the June number. ~ Most of the illustrations are drawings from the pen of William Savage—Honorary member of the I. O. A. Of-the talented collection of water color paintings of birds made by this gentleman; brief mention has been given in the Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST before: In some future issue we expect to give space to an extended description of his collection and print a number of half-tones from some of his best pictures. It is bebieved that an ginal to Fuertes is here. —~+>— A COMPLETE ‘AND ANNOTATED LIST OF | IOWA BIRDS. (DAVID L. SAVAGE, Cu’, CAS, R. KEYES, ‘COMMIRTRE, \ MORTON E. PECK, PAUL BARTSCH, . - / JOHN V.CRONE, H. J. GIDDINGS. | HE committee-men detana ancy: and waiting to do their work a8 conapilenes T the list, as soon as the notes are sufficiently complete. With the October 1896, Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST, a check-list of N. A. birds was sent to each member of the I. O. A., with a request to check off the names of the birds personally observed inthe state, a cross to. indicate summer resident and. a dash, not summer resident and also asked that the lists be returned promptly. We acknowledge the receipt of lists from the following members: Ernest. Irons, Council Bluffs; Walter G. Savage, Hillsboro ; Edmonde 8. Currier, Keokuk; Rob’t' A. Tomlinson, Alden; J. Eugene Law, Perry ; R. D. Goss, New Sharon; Wm. A. Bryan, New Sharon; Mary L. Rann, Man- chester; C. C. Smith, Decorah; W. W. Loomis, Clermont; Hiram Heaton,, Glendale; Guy C. Rich, Sioux City. From ornithologists, not members of the I. O. A., but who have collected in the state, we have lists as follows: William E. Praeger, Keokuk; Melvin Sornes, Ft. Dodge; J. A. Savage, Hillsboro ; Chas. K. Salisbury, Reinbeck ; Lynds Jones and Isador S. Frostler. We mailed more than, fifty lists ; where are the others? Let the members attend to this matter at once. Every member should contribute to this work, in order to make the Y6 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. list COMPLETE. Look up your check-list and return it without delay. The callin the last Iowa OrntrHoLocisr for the careful study of bird migration in the state has brought response from a number of workers. | How- ever only two—H. J. Giddings and W. G. Savage—have made out monthly reports as requested. These two gentlemen are doing excellent systematic field work and we cannot do better than give space to a monthly report from each. SOME NOTES ON THE BIRDS AND WEATHER IN VAN BUREN CO., IOWA, MARCH, 1897, BY W. G. SAVAGE. ’ 1. Light cloudy and warm with north-east wind. White-bellied Nut- hatches cleaning Out holes preparatory to nesting. Great Horned Owls setting and hatching. 2. Heavy cloudy with north-east wind, cool and misting rain; ground covered with 4.in. of snow. Birdlife on the standstill. 3. Clear with cold north-west wind. Red-tailed Hawks moving about, other birdlife generally quiet. 4. Dark, cloudy, with south wind and rain ; birds very quiet. 5. Light cloudy, north-west wind ; birds not moving much. 6. Light cloudy with north-east wind, cool, Wild Geese passing north- ward, Cardinal Grosbeaks whistling loud. 7. Dull cloudy with east wind, cool; birds on the stand. : ; 8. Heavy broken clouds with south-east wind, thunder and rain. Blue- Lirds common, Robins and Slate-colored Juncos increasing; Pewees, Meadow Larks, Mallard Ducks, Green-wing Teels and Bay-wing Sparrows appear. . 9. Dull cloudy with north-west wind, cool. Purple Grackles, Song Sparr- ows and Swamp Sparrows appear, Bald Eagles passing north, small birds gen- erally found in sheltered places from the wind. 10. Clear and frosty with south wind. Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks flying plentifully, other birdlife generally quiet. 11. Dark cloudy with south-east wind and raining some. Red-wing Black- birds begin to sing, Cooper’s Hawks mating, Fox-colored Sparrows and Tow- hees appear, Meadow Larks common. 12. Clear with strong north-west wind, cold; a few Ducks flying, small birds generally quiet. 13. Dark cloudy with east wind; Red-tailed Hawks laying and sitting, Robins wonderfully plenty and Juncos numerous. 14. Clear with north-west wind ; birdlife quiet. 15. Clear with south-west wind. Red-shouldered Hawks nesting, Juncos moving northward, Fox Sparrows common, Woodcocks appear, some Crows nesting. 16. Very light cloudy with south-east wind; Red-tailed Hawks flying very ae Song Sparrows increasing, a few Ducks passing north. . Dark cloudy with south-east wind and some rain ; birds on the stand. a Dark cloudy with gentle south wind and some rain; Robins and Flickers begin to sing, Towhees common. 19. Light cloudy with south-west wind, warm; Buffle-headed Ducks appear, birds in general very lively. Committee, A CoMPLETE aND ANNOTATED LIST oF Iowa BirDs. 27 20. laght cloudy with north-west wind, clearing at noon. Turkey Vultures appear, Turtle Doves begin to coo, Pewees common, some Blue Jays looking for a nesting site while others are passing northward, Prairie Hens passing north, Belted Kingfishers common. 21. Light cloudy with north-east wind, cool. American Goldfinches and Marsh Hawks passing north, Wcodcccks nesting, Cow-birds appear. 22. Heavy broken cloady with north-east wind. Great Blue Herons and Sand-hill Cranes appear, Red-tailed Hawks very active. 23. Dark cloudy with strong north-east wind and snowing hard all.day. Birdlife generally quiet, a few Sparrow Hawks sitting about on dead trees. 24, Clear with north-west wind, cold, 6 in. snow on ground. Birdlife quiet. 25. Clear with north-west wind, cool. White-rumped Shrikes appear, Bald Eagles flying over. 26. Clear with north-west wind, snow melting fast. Purple Martins ap- pear, Purple Grackles, Marsh Hawks, Brant and Snow Geese passing north. 27. Clear with north-west wind. Wood Ducks and American Widgeons appear. 23. Dark cloudy with high south-east wind, thunder and rain. American Mergensers appear, a few Dacks moving about, Turkey Vultures increasing. 29. Dark cloudy with soath-east wind ; Bob-whites begin to sing bob- white, Juncos and Fox Sparrows wonderfully plenty, Field Sparrows appear. 80. Dark cloudy with east wind, thunder and rain at night; birdlife very quiet. 31. Dark cloudy with east wind and some rain, streams heavily swollen. Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers and Bartramian Sandpipers appear, Birdlife generally quiet. BIRD MOVEMENTS FOR APRIL, 1897, AT SABULA, IOWA, BY H. J. GIDDINGS. 1 Purple Martins became common. ) | 2; First Field, Vesper and Chipping Sparrows | 3 \ and Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers. { Weather mild 4 First Orange-crowned Kinglet, but not warm = ; ( Grass begin- 5 Fox Sparrows increased, ‘ning £0 start ( First Chewink, Fox Sparrows and Juncos _ \ very abundant, | 7. Ist Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren, -Coldand cloudy : J 8 Ist Cowbird, Fox Sparrows very common, J q | Ve i i iOS ns geta tion MY ( Last Tree Sparrow seen, first Tree Swallow ee Dues ae (making but 12 all birds rather scarce, ; 4 little pro- 13) | gress ) Chewink common, next cowbird and a ) i { single Bank Swallow, l Wet and cold ( eee the 15 Fox Sparrows getting scarce, | ee i No apparent change in bird movement, 18 Cowbird and Tree Swallow common, Heavy 8. wind 19 First Whip-poor- will, ) Wind N. W. 20 -and very cold 21 First Clay-colored Sparrow, \ and heavy frost 28 ' IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. First Brown Thrasher, :White-throated re ) Sparrow ; Clay-colored Sparrow increased Wind~ mostly | snaking. + a / and Whip-poor-will became common. sagt 3 - ani ae ( First Catbird, Rose-brested Grosbeak, 24) Purple Finch and Pine Warbler; White- | \ warm. | throated Sparrow very: abundant: J | | cress ; trees } budding. \ First Myrtle Warbler, Chimney Swift and ap | First | / Kingbird. i y = 6 : 1 p oe ) First Lark Sparrow, not much change in | wee pone / other species. leafing. — ( ! »~ ) Birst Red-eyed Vireo, Lark Sparrow in- | “' | creased, first Red-head Woodpecker. nee, ( First Scarlet Tanager, Cliff Swallow, Gol- } Weather cold: | 28/ den Warbler, Long-billed Marsh Wren, | ; | Oven Bird, Baltimore Oriole. Vexetaiiots ‘stationary. \ First Barn Swallow, Tanagers increased, | ? Orchard Oriole. 30 3 First House Wren, Barn Swallow increased | “~ | Silver Tanager common. J 29 We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of letters of encouragement and the promise of a helping hand from a number of ornithologists. For the bene- fit of these and the many others whom we believe are willing to help in the work, but for some reason have neglected to send in monthly reports, we will say that we desire that all reports on the spring migration to be in by June 15th. Wake-up brethren, lend a hand. We have a state organization that is second to none, either in regard to number of efficient workers or in past accomplish- ments. Three years ago, under the most discourageing words from such men as Dr. Morris Gibbs (hope he will pardon the personal mention), our official organ first appeared. Dr. Gibbs said “an ornithological magazine with a state name cannot stand; it has been tried.’ Through the united efforts of the members of the I. O. A., the Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST is still in the field and re- tains its high standard of usefulness. We may point with a pardonable degree of pride to oUR magazine, which stands alone in many. of its ‘‘originalities.”’ So far, so good. However, we live in the present,:not in the past. It then behooves us to push forward: toward new achievements. No work could be more commendable than a state.mannal similar to: Ridgeway’s “Ornithology of flinois.’” ~ Is there one among us that, durig his. early. days of studyings birds, did not look in vain for an inexpensive, yet accurate work on his chosen subject? Did we not in those days write to every one who was likely to know, inquiring if there was a work published on the birds of our state? There has been a long felt need for such a publication. Since the announcement that the I. O. A. had a committee preparing such a work, a large number of letters of inquiry have been received ; questions as to ‘‘when will the beok on Iowa birds be out?’ What will be the price?” “If you are taking advance subscriptions for the work, book me as a subscriber.’? and soon. We cannot as yet make definite answers to these questions. We will state that the book will contain brief but accurate descriptions of all Iowa birds, in addition to the profuse. notes on their life history, so that it will be of value to the beginner as well as the professional ornithologist. At the present time the committee is simply waiting for the return of the check-lists sent out, and to gather together complete data on the bird mi- gration of the state for 1897. This will add. much—ifa sufficient number of the members will contribute—to the value of the list. Without delay, send to the chairman of the committee what notes you have on ’97 spring migration of birds at your station, however meager it will be of value. Davin L. Savace, Ch’m. —— Book REVIEW. 29 LZ LAA New books and other publications will be reviewed in this department. Authors wishing publications reviewed should send them to the Editor, who will examine them personally and give them due consideration. “The Story of the Farallones,”’—A beautiful souvenir published by H. R. Taylor, editor of the Nidologist. This is a new and admirable departure from the usual routine of presenting scientific facts. The souvenir is illustrated by near 30 superb illustrations, printed on heavy coated paper which makes them show to the very best advantage. The text is written by C. Barlow in his usual interesting style, and as one reads, he imagines himself with the writer behold- ing the wonders of this densely populated city of the birds. The publisher spared no time or expense to make it an elegant publication. You may obtain it of Mr. H. R. Taylor, Alameda, Cal., for 50 cents. “The Osprey, edited by W. A. Johnson, of Galesburg, I]l., has been favored with the co-operation of Dr. Elliott Coues, ‘‘the greatest of all living ornitholo- gists.’ He will contribute a department under the heading of ‘Dr. Coues’ Column.’ We extend our congratulations to Mr. Johnson in Leing able to ob- tain this new feature, which cannot otherwise than be a great attraction to his already popular monthly. The April number contains half-tones of Dr. Coues and Mabel Osgood Wright. The articles are all well written and of great in- terest ornithologically. Although yet in its first volume, the Osprey stands among the best of ornithological publications and is well worth the subscription price, $1 per year. It should be read by every bird student. We were pleased to receive Bulletin No. 1, of the Michigan Ornithological Club, dated January, 1897. The M. O. C. is a pushing society of sixty-one members ; eight honorary, thirty-seven active, and sixteen associate. Upon its membership roll are found the names of some of the most enthusiastic orni- thologists in our country. This issue does not contain an article, note or news item but what was written by a member of the club. It is a credit to the bird men of Michigan and we wish it the success that its high standard so well deserves, PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. “Biltmore Herbarium,’’ C. D. Beadle, Curator, Eiltmore, N. C., pp. 1-29. “History of Paints, Pigments and Colors,’’ Heath & Mulligan Mfg. Co., Chicago, 1897, pp. 1-72. — 350 Iowa ORNILHOLOGIST. ‘lhe Story of the Farallones,’? Ly Barlow and Taylor, Alameda, Cal., 1897, 25 half-tones. Auk, Vol. 14, No. 2; April, 1897. Bulletin of Michigan Ornithological Club, Vol. 1, No. 1, Jan., 1897, Canadian Natural Sience News, Vol. 1, No. 1, Mar., 1897. General Notes, Balletin Nos. 12-13, Wilson Orn. Chap. of A. A., Jan.-Mar , 1897. Le Nataraliste Canadien, Vol. 24, Nos. 1-4, Jan.-Apr., 1897. Maseain, Vol. 3, Nos. 4-6, Fed.-Avr., 1897. Nidologist, Vol. 4, Nos. 6-7. Feb.- Mar., 1897. Oologist, Vol. 14, No. 3, Mar., 1897. Oregon Naturalist, Vol. 4, Nos. 1-4, Jan.-Apr., 1897. Osprey, Vol. 1, Nos. 5-7-8, Jan.-Mar.-Avr., 1897. Popular Science News, Vol. 31, Nos. 3-4, Mar.-Apr., 1897. = <> a NOTES FROM FOREST CITY, IOWA. I have been trying for the past two weeks to secure photos of Prairie Chickens ‘‘drumming,’’ or ‘“‘cooing’’? rather. We have a blind built on a hill- top and while under it in the evening, have seen them within six feet of us, cooing, With wings drooping, tail spread and crange-yellow neck-saes expanded. Added one more species to my list April 17th; a female Winter Wren. Length three and eleven-sixteenths inches, wing one and eleven-sixteenths, tail one and one-quarter, bill three-eighths, and tarsus one-half. R. M. ANDERSON. NEST AND EGGS OF KRIDER'S HAWK. Pe ibe *§ lowa } Ornithofogist. Vol. Hl. JULY, 1897. No. Ill. NESTING HABITS OF KRIDER’S HAWK. BY R. M. ANDERSON. HE Krider’s Hawk (Buteo borealis kriderit) is a geographical variety Ti the Red-tailed Hawk and is the lightest in color of the five sub-divisions of that species known to inhabit North America, occuring in the region from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River, though very seldom found east of the Mississippi. This species is described in Ridgway’s Manual of North American Birds as ‘‘lighter colored than the Red-tail, with much white on upper parts, tail pale rufous (usually without the dusky sub-terminal bar), the lower parts entirely pure white or pail buffy only on thighs etc., with little if any spotting on belly. Eggs 2.31 x 1.80. Habitation, Great Plains, Minnesota to Texas ; east irregularly or casually to lowa and Northern Illinois.” The first record of this species on the Atlantic coast was a specimen taken by W. W. Worthington at Supelo Island, Ga., February 16, 1888, identified by Wm. Brewster, (Auk, January, ’89). In Southern Minnesota Mr. P. B. Peabody found several nests of the species during the spring of 1894, (Auk, January, 95). My first meeting with Krider’s Hawk was on the 14th day of May, 1895, when I went out to visit an old nest which had been known to me for about three years and had been occupied by a pair of Swainson’s Hawks the previous year. As I came near the tree, a large Hawk flew silently off the nest and away. She perched on a tree at some distance and occasionally uttered a scream as I was examining the nest, but when I started to climb down, the male Hawk also appeared on the scene, and while he perched on a tree some distance away, the female Hawk circled over my head within easy gun range, screaming angrily, then lit in a tree only two or three rods from the nest and remained there until I had reached terra firma, when she circled once around the tree and alighted again in the same place, only to drop at the report of the double-barrel. For some time I thought my specimen to be only a light phase of the common Red-tail, but after an inspection of a large series of Hawks at the Smithsonian Institution and a conversation with Mr. Robert Ridgway, I con- cluded that the bird was none other than Krider’s Hawk. I afterward sent it to the Smithsonian where the conclusion was verified, the bird being identified as Buteo borealis kriderii;—now at the Smithsonian Institution, accession 30869. This Hawk was much lighter than a Red-tail in my possession, the whole under parts being whitish with but a few brown streaks on belly, head streaked with dull light-brown and white, cheeks whitish, back and wings considerably mottled with pale and dark-brown and whitish. The tail was pale reddish brown, fading to a buff or creamy white near base; upper tail 32 IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. coverts white. Iris, brown; feet, light-yellow ; cere, pale greenish-yellow. — L. 24, W. 1534, T. 1034. The nest was a large bulky mass of sticks, the accumulations of years, and was lined with strips of bark and cornhusks; also containing a sprig of cotton- wood or poplar with fresh green leaves, evidently just picked, and two other sprigs with the leaves somewhat withered ; built fifty-one feet from the ground on a slanting Burr-oak tree. It contained two eggs advanced in incubation. The eggs resembled eggs of the common Red-tail,;, one egg being sparsely specked with light brown, the other with a number of large blotches of clear brown, chiefly around the larger end. Size, 2.44 x 1.94; 2.48 x 1.91. May 2, 1896, in Ellington township, Hancock county, in company with Mr. Earl Halvorsen, I again found the species ‘‘at home.’’ The nest was in a Burr- oak tree, fourty-six feet from the ground. The Hawk remained on the nest until I had rapped on the tree several times with a stick, when she flew off, circled around a few times and lit on a branch near ‘the nest, in the same tree, before my companion had climbed up twenty feet. She sat there for nearly a_ minute, giving ye ornithologists a good view of her, The other Hawk arrived shortly aftér and they soared overhead uttering shrill screams, both Hawks finally settling in the same tree, about two feet apart, and remaining there while we were taking the accompanying photograph of the three beautiful’ eggs and nest ‘in situ’’—a rather difficult feat, as the branches above the nest were exceedingly slender and much too flexible for a’ comfortable support. The nest, an old one, Was about two feet across and built of sticks and one corn- stalk. The hollow of the hest was about nine inches across and was lined with strips of bark and a quantity of fine stringy bark, such as squirrels’ nest are usudlly lined with. The nest contained a number of White Poplar twigs with’ young green leaves, also a number of bunches of soft white down. The’ eggs were beautifully marked with umber brown, yellowish brown and lavender and were slightly incubated. a April 26th, 1897, I took a set of three slightly incubated eggs, about two miles north of Forest City, from’ a nest 3714 feet from the ground on an out-— spreading branch of a Burr-oak tree. The nest was built this spring, of coarse Poplar and Oak twigs and lined with strips of bark and cornhusks, the’ lined part measuring about ten inches across and depressed about two inches. ‘Uhe eggs were whitish with small specks of dull brownish scattered over nearly the whole surface. The Hawk could be seen on the nest as I approached, but flew away When I was several rods from the nest, remaining away until Thad climbed up to the nest, when she flew high overhead screaming a few times. ' For some time both Hawks Sat near together on the ‘same tree. Both Hawks were very wary and kept: out of reach of the shotgun, whic hh plan was certainly very conducive to longevity. The following Saturday, May Ist, I went down into the Ellington woods. Passing by an old nest from which I had taken three eggs of the Red-tail, May’ 3, 1895, and three Great Horned Owl’s eggs, February ‘22, 1896, nothing was visible bata pair of Swainson’s Hawks soaring and screaming overhead. How- ever I struck the tree with my climbing-irons and was somewhat surprised to see a Hawk dash off, whose pale reddish tail and whitish under parts showed it Anderson, NESTING HABITS OF KRIDER’S Hawk. Bi to belong to the variety kriderii. Climbing the forty-eight feet intervening between the ground and the nest, I found it to contain three quite heavily marked eggs. The Hawks both soared high overhead screaming, but were Very wary, and after waiting half an hour vainly hoping to obtain a specimen, I left: the place, returning about six hours afterward. As I was crawling through a barbed-wire fence about a rod from the tree, the Hawk darted off the nest, and as she soared away I fired both barrels of the gun and she sailed down at an acute angle, being stone dead when picked up. This Hawk measured: L. 22, W. 15%4, T. 9144. The stomach was entirely empty. The three eggs were slightly incubated. The nest was lined with what looked like old nests of Yellow Warblers and the like, hempen fibres, hair, etc., also a green Poplar twig. ae The accompanying photo- graph is a view of the nest taken from the ground on February 22, | 1896, at which time it contained - three eggs of the Great Horned Owl. The picture shows the height to which the writer had would fly from the nest. another set of their eggs front a’ “large one, nearly three feet posed of'sticks and twigs’ of Oak’ ’ and lined with bark and corn- was about five inches deep. ‘The three eggs were pale _ bluish, nearly unmarked and slightly joined by her mate and they flew could not come very near to them. A peculiarity of this species is a fondness for having green leafy twigs in the nest (especially twigs of Cottonwood aid White climbed (about 36 feet from the — ground) before the old Owl On the same day I ‘took: nest 35 feet up in-a Black Oak ° tree. The nest Was an unusually across and two feet high, céni- and Poplar (principally the latter)’ husks and some green: Poplar’ sprigs. The hollow of the nest’ incubated. The Hawk left the’ nest aS I came near, was soon” overhead frequently uttering a’ shrill’ “seree-ee.”” They would ~ oceasionally light. in' trees, but’ I~ 4 € 34 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. Poplar), all nests which I have examined having one or more green sprigs. These sprigs must be renewed almost daily as they almost always appear fresh, withéred or dead leaves being rarely found in the nest. This eccentricity seems also to be shared by the Swainson’s Hawk /( Blites swainsont). ae --- THE AFFINITIES OF THE MNIOTILTID. BY MORTON E, PECK. Paper read before the Second Congress of I. O. A. O arrive at even an approximately correct conclusion as to all the relation- FS it near and remote, of any group of vertebrates, there is needed, not only a thorough examination of the life history and external ordinal family, generic and specific characters of every genetically related family, but also a careful anatomical survey of these families, The most important data for such conclusions are obtained from those aberrant or generalized types which unite some important features of two or more divergent groups. These so-called con- nective types are such as have preserved, in a more or less modified condition, some important structural points derived from remote ancestors less highly specialized than their living decendents. Among mammals such forms are the Lemurs of Africa and the curious Mouse Deer of Borneo. Among birds the Secretary Birds of Africa and the anomalous Hoazin of South America come under this catagory. As we proceed to the more specialized forms, the affinities become more in- tricate and puzzling within a limited sphere. With the generalized types, the case is different. They are usually found to connect two or three very widely seperated groups, but with no other evident connections. For example, the Secretary Bird is between the raptorial and wading birds, being placed doubtfully with the former. Beyond these two families it seems to possess no near relationships. As we are to deal with one of the most highly specialized families of birds, and therefore one presenting the most numerous affinities and in the most varying degrees, it is unnecessary to say that no full treatment of the subject will be attempted ; anatomical points will not be touched upon, and only the more salient external features briefly reviewed. The Mniotiltidz, or American Wood Warblers, are a well-defined family of small passerine birds, divided usually into eighteen genera, which comprise about one hundred and twenty species, though the exact number is not yet fully determined. Most of the species are elegantly formed and highly colored, graceful and active in movement, but rather weak in structure. The individ- uals are usually abundant, but a number of species are extremely rare. Geographically they are principally confined to North America, with but few distinctive South American forms. The most typical genera are those migrating across the United States. Peck, Tur AFFINITIES OF MNIOTILTID A. 35 Probably the most natural way of presenting the subject in hand is to take up each genus seperately and trace its relationships to other groups, if such are found to exist. The necessity for proceeding by genera will at once be evident. An isolated species will frequently not show sufficient grounds for assigning it any particular place relative to some other family, while genera will usually be found to grade from the main family type toward some other. The order here followed is that given in Ridgeway’s ‘‘Manual.”’ Mniotilta, of which the Black and White Warbler is the only species, is very distinct from the rest of the family in several important points, the most noticeable of which is the position of the head relative to the line of the vertebral column ; that is, the beak falls almost in the line of the spinal axis. The latter -is slender and has a very decided curve. These points, together with the bird’s mode of life, show at once a close relationship to the Coerebedé, or Honey- creepers of tropical America. Certain. species of this family lean strongly toward the Mniotiltidz, so that there is a point where the branches of the two neatly meet. The Coerebide are not a highly specialized family and in Mniotilta we find, as we might expect, many generalized characters, likewise. The genera Protonotaria and Helinaia show no determinable affinities to any other family ; the family type reaches in them, therefore, a very high de- velopment. In both, the bristles about the gape are wholly wanting and the bill is strongly developed. In Protonotaria it is long, stout and slightly com- pressed ; in Helinaia it is long, very acute and much compressed. Swainson’s Warbler, the only species of the latter genus, has an indistinct line of yellowish or whitish on the forehead. The closely allied genus, Helmintherus, of which the Worm-eating Warbler is the only species found in the United States, has the bill but slightly compressed and the culmen considerably curved. The crown-markings, of which there was but a slight trace in the preceeding, here become very prominent in the broad buff and black stripes extending over the entire head. These head-markings are characteristic of the family in its fullest development. Helminthophila has the gape-bristles small or wanting and the bill small and very acute, with no curve. OCrown-markings are nearly always present, though often partially concealed ; they are wanting, however, in the Tennessee Warbler. The Blue-winged and Golden-winged have a patch of bright yellow covering the entire crown. Backman’s Warbler has a black band across the anterior portion of the crown, and in the remaining species of the genus the crown-patch is orange, brown or chestnut. Yellow or yellowish-white wing- bands are sometimes present. In this genus cephalization of coloring, a peeu- liarity of the family, reaches its maximum, though the most brilliant colors have not yet been reached. A tropical and sub-tropical genus, Oreothlypis, stands very close, struc- turally, to Helminthophila, the chief point of seperation being the slighter difference between the comparative length of wing and tail relative to the length of the tarsus. The species gutteralis of this genus is plumbeous above with a triangular patch of black on the back; the chin, throat and breast are orange. In the species swperct liosa the rump and back are olive, the throat and breast yellow, the chest with a chestnut spot. G Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. In Compsothlypis the triangular black dorsal patch of the typical Oreothlypis is replaced by a similar patch of bright olive-green. In some species this is dull and indistinct. The Parula Warbler has, instead of a single chestnut spot on the chest, a large patch of mixed chestnut, black and yellow, with a patch of chestnut on either side of the breast. Oreothlypis has no white wing-bars, while in Compsothlypis these are usually broad and prominent; they are wanting, however, in the Central American Parula, and are very narrow in the Socorro Warbler. It is therefore seen that while structurally Oreothlypis stands very near Helminthophola, in coloration it grades as strongly toward Compsothlypis. Such closely connected genera are characteristic of all highly specialized families. The genus Dendroica is the largest and most important of the family. It is here that the Warbler type, both in structure and coloration, reaches its per- fect development. The most plainly colored species are those whose generic characters are doubtful or not strongly marked. The beak is stouter and less acute than in the three preceeding genera and the bristles about the gape are well developed. The species present such an endless variety of markings that it is difficult to trace any particular pattern running through all. The sides of the breast, however, are nearly always streaked with black, blue or olive on a paler background. Wing-bars are present or represented in nearly every species ;in the Palm, Prairie, Kirtlands and Cuban Pine Warblers, however, they are wanting. In the Yellow Warbler they are merely indicated by the brighter color of the tips of the wing-coverts. Twospecies, the Yellow-throated and Palm Warblers, barely hold their place in the genus, and the latter at least should probably be seperated. The Yellow-throat has the beak large and much compressed and quite acute, with the bristles very small. The Palm Warbler leans strongly toward Seiurus in many of its habits and both species resemble Seiurus in having the tail nearly as long as the wing. These points are not suf- ficient grounds for placing them in that genus, however. If seperated from Dendroica, they should stand between the two in a new genus. Seiurus presents some characters which are very suggestive in tracing the affinities of the family. The genus embraces four species, three of which are North American, and all of them large, stout Warblers, plainly colored, with a close external resemblance to the Thrushes, whence their names. ‘They are all terrestrial in habits, seeking their food principally on the ground. In general character they do not differ greatly from the preceeding genus. ‘lhe tail is never much shorter than the wing and sometimes longer. The plumage is plain olivaceous or brown above and whitish beneath, conspicuously streaked with dusky. The crown may be streaked as in the Oven Bird, or plain.’ In habits this genus so closely resembles the Motacillide, or Wagtails, that some of the older ornithologists placed them in that family. It is true that the mere mode of life of any animal is usually regarded as of little or no value in fixing its place in a system of classification, yet. within certain limits of structural resemblance, strongly marked habits should not be disregarded. In this case the movement of the tail and the ambulatorial gait in walking show an unmis- takable close genetic connection with the Wagtails.. The structural differences consist mainly in the great lengthening of the tertials, tail and hind claw of the Peck, THe AFFINITIES OF MNIOTILTIDA. onl latter, but Seiurus shows some tendency in this direction, which, taken with the foregoing features, seems sufficient to establish the relationship beyond question. The beak in Motacillide is very variable, and in some cases does not differ greatly from that of Seiurus. In coloring there is little to suggest relationship. It is here in place to mention the uncertain affinity existing between the Mniotiltidze and the immense family of Sylviide, which embrace the Old World Warblers and our Kinglets, Gnatcatchers and Kennicott’s Willow Warbler The Sylviide are such a heterogeneous and ill-defined family that it would not be practicable here to enter into a discussion of the degrees of similarity between the various branches of the family and Mniotiltidze. Seiurus is the only genus with which we can allow them any connection, and here too may be mentioned some vague relationship with the Turdide, or Thrushes, and Cinclide, or Dippers. These affinities are all so hypothetical that they cannot be said to greatly influence the relative position of the family. In external characters the genus Geothlypis stands not far from Seiurus. The comparative length of wing and tail is about the same and the latter is rounded or graduated in both. The habits of the two genera present some sim- ilarities, among which may be mentioned the movement of the tail, which is very noticeable in the Kentucky Warbler. The colors in Geothlypis are usually bright and the plumage not streaked. Icteria, of which the Yellow-breasted Chat is our only representative, is a widely aberrant genus and might almost be placed with the Vireos. This is the largest species of the family. The beak is short, stout and compressed, with the culmen strongly curved and a sharp ridge running more than half its length. The upper mandible curves over the lower, as in the Vireos, but is not hooked. - It also resembles the latter in the well developed bristles and in the proportionate length of wing and tail. There is a very striking similarity between the color- ing of the Chat and that of some Vireos, for instance, the Yellow-throated. Besides its Vireo affinities Icteria seems to show some genetic connection with the Tanagers, but this is more evident in the two following genera. Teretistris, a genus comprising but two species, both confined to Cuba, has the beak stout and strongly curved as in the Tanagers, though not notched, and plumage inclined to yellowish or green as in many of the latter family. Granatellus, a Mexican genus, has the beak more as in Icteria, but the plumage beautifully varied with plumbeous red and white. Sylvania and Setophaga may be taken together as the two genera, struc- turally, related very closely to the Tyrranidae. Sylvania does not greatly diverge from the family type except in the marked development of the bristles about the gape and the broad, depressed beak; there is nothing suggestive about the coloring. These structural characters are greatly emphasized in Setophaga ; in fact, some of the Redstarts have almost the typical Empidonax beak. In habits they are essentially tyrannidine. The coloring suggests little, though red is more characteristic of certain Flycatchers than of the Warbler family. The two genera Cardellina and Ergaticus bear a strong resemblance to the Paridz, or Titmice, in the structure of the beak and length of tail, but it 38 Towa ORNITHOLOGIST. would searcely be safe to say that there was any close genetic relationship between them. Basilenterus and Euthlypis seem to point back to the Setophaga type with Flycatcher affinities, though in plumage they resemble the more highly specialized genera. . This completes the list of genera and probably all the near alliances have been touched upon, though of course it cannot be claimed that each has been given its due prominence. Perhaps no other well-defined family of birds shows more varied and intri- cate relationships; they embrace a considerable number of widely separated families in both sub-orders of the Passeres. Let us now turn for a moment to the geographical distribution of the group and afterwards draw our conclusions as to its probable origin and past history. The absolute range of the Warblers extends from the arctic region to Chili and Bolivia, but comparatively few species cross the equator. Now, leaving out of account the annual migrations of the northern species and considering the breeding range as the true habitat, the whole territory of the family may be divided into two well-defined regions. The boundary line between these regions extends from the coast of Texas about» one hundred miles north of the southern boundary, through southern New Mexico and Arizona, reaching the Pacific Ocean at the southern extremity of California. It will be seen that this line is at least a thousand miles north of the southern point of the Nearctic Region as defined by Wallace in his ‘‘Geographical Distribution of Animals.” Not only the species, but also the genera are almost wholly different in these two regions. . This will be clearly shown by the following tables, the genera with the number of species characteristic of each region being given with the number of specics found in the other. NORTHERN REGION. SOUTHERN REGION. ne | 2 ae Ste 72 (eae qe Se = 8 |Sye/SSslSu 23 |Sys/Ssslfuc Genera. =3 ses ses se Genera. Be |sse se ges — ~~ ~ °o as Se Ghar a arm Mniotilta 1 1 pueeeaiets : 2 q i Protonotaria 1 1 vom psothly pis 6 caer? Geothlypis 1] r 4 Helinaia 1 1 Teretistris 2 2 Helminthophila 8 7 1 Granatellus 4 4 . . . rs a « Dendroica 36) 4/2 : 13 Beton ae 1D le 1 Seiurus 4 3 1 pemeere ty : 5 ; Ergaticus 2 2 Icteria 1 1 Basileulerus 22 | 22 Sylvania 5 3 2 ||Kuthlypis at 1 Total 57 | 88 3 16 Total 66 | 60 6 These figures are very interesting and significant. In the first place, they show a well marked geographical division of the family into two nearly equal parts or sets of genera. Further, it will be noticed that the four most highly specialized genera, Protonotaria, Helinaia, Helminthophila and Dendroica, are characteristic of the northern region, though thirteen of the thirty-six in the last are confined to the southern. Oreothlypis and Compsothlypis, the most Peck, THe AFFINITIES OF MNIOTILTID®. 39 highly specialized of the southern genera, still stand considerably below these four. Again, all those numerous forms showing Flycatcher affinities, with the exception of three species of Sylvania and one of Setophaga, are confined to the southern region. Now it will be remembered that the order of Passeres is divided into two sab-orders, Clamatores and Oscines. The former of these embraces but two fam- ilies, the Tyrannide and Cotingidee the Tyrannide may be taken as the type of the sub-order, as they show, in general, less affiliation with the Oscines. Finally, as regards the origin of the Mniotiltide, the consideration of these facts would lead us to adopt one of two theries. Hither they originated some- where in the southern region and at a period not much subsequent to the separ- ation of the order of Passeres into the two sub-orders, considering the close affinities of some genera with the Tyrannide, from which starting point the more highly specialized genera moved northward into temperate America, while the more generalized forms, those retaining the tyrannidine characters, remained in the southern region; or on the other hand they originated in the manner in the northern region and the tyrannidine types, with other less spe- cialized genera, moved southward. From the fact that the whole sub-order Clamatores, with the exception of a comparatively few species of Tyrannide, ‘are confined to the southern region, we would at first be led to conclude that the birth place of the family must have been there, but a closer consideration of the facts go to prove the contrary. It is generally believed, from a broad study of distribution, that the Passeres originated in the north temperate zone, where nearly all of the most highly organized forms of animals took their rise. The Passeres are the most perfectly organized and specialized of all birds and there is little reason to doubt that they follow the general rule. Again, let it be re- membered that the Mniotiltidee originated not very long subsequent, in all probability, to the seperation of the order into the two sub-orders, therefore be- foresa general movement southward is likely to have talen place. ' Further, it is reasonable to suppose that where great physical changes would not necessitate a universal migration, the most highly speciallzed forms would be found where the family originated, for as species and individuals became numerous and the struggle of life more severe, those adapting themselves most readily to condi- tions, that is, those becoming most specialized would drive out the less adapt- able, that is, the more generalized, which would be compelled to migrate into localities not yet occupied by species having a similar mode of life. It is prob- able that at the time the Mniotiltide became a seperate family, a much y sarmer climate prevailed over the northern. hemisphere than at present, but as the climate became more rigorous, the less hardy forms, which are of course the more generalized, would be driven southward, along with most of the Tyran- nid, into those tropical regicns where we now find them. In this movement would also be included most of those showing close relationship to the Tangaridae, which are very susceptible to cold. But, it may be asked, how are we to account for a number of highly special- ized forms in the southern region and of generalized in the northern? It seems surprising rather that there are not more of these exceptional cases than really exist, When we come to ccnsider the immence migratory range of the family. 40 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. Nearly all the northern species in their southward migration pass into Southern Mexico, Central and South America. Abundance of special kinds of food and other favorable conditions in their winter home may have induced individuals to remain there occasionally through the year, and so, the habit once formed, “migration northward “would gradually decrease and finally stop altogether. Similarly, individuals of southern forms might have pushed northward by de- grees, led on by favoring conditions, till at last whole species would be induced to migrate and their present range would be reached. Sach changes of habitat have gone on even under human observation. Such seems the most plausible theory of the origin, past movements and present distribution of this most interesting family of birds. Further research and by more experienced students of distribution may give a simpler and more satisfactory solution of the intricate problems here briefly touched upon, as also further anatomical companions may reveal much that is new and valuable in regard to the relationships before discussed, but for the present we will be com- pelled to rest on these results of a few somewhat superficial and hasty observa- tions and researches. THE PIED-BILL GREBE—(Podilymbus podiceps. ) BY CARL FRITZ HENNING. HE Pied-bill Grebe, or Hell Diver as it is commonly called, in this locality ie known to almost every boy. Arriving here during the first week in April, they remain with us until late in October. When we have an early spring, the dalchick makes his appearance in March. In the spring of °94, trees and shrubs were budding by the 9th of March and our friends the Bluebirds warbled their notes of joy from the tree-tops. By=the 25th we had a cold snap and on the 26th a farmer boy brought a Pied-bill Grebe into our store, having captured it that morning in a pond frozen in the ice— making it neccessary for the boy to cut the ice around the Grebe with a knife to release the poor bird from its icy prison. During the spring and fall migra- tions the Pied-bill Grebe are plentiful, hundreds feeding at Clear lake and Cairo lake (Mud lake) in the adjoining counties north. In Boone county, they breed in suitable localities—nearly every large marshy pond has a pair of these truly beautiful Grebes. All the nests that I have found were uniformly formed of partially decayed reeds, rushes and grasses, mixed with mud and debris brought up from the bottom of the pond. The nest is usually fastened to acquatic plants and oftenest placed where the water is deepest, but so well concealed that it is rarely found. The number of eggs in a full set is usually seven, rarely nine. In the Iowa Or- NITHOLOGIST, Vol. one, page 44, my fellow member John V. Crone says: ‘The eggs are almost invariably found covered and incubation most likely proceeds without the aid of the parent bird.’’ My brother ornithologist may have found more nests of the Pied-bill Grebe than I, but my, observations differ from his. The eggs that I have found were only partially covered and several nests with Henning, THE PIED-BILL GREBE. 41 eggs that I have found lately were not covered at all. A fine set of nine (9) collected by myself May 20th of this year in a pond half a mile east of my home did not have a single grass blade for covering. When feeding, the Grebes stay away from their nest a long time, often going long distances to find their favorite food, and may then cover their eggs with decaying vegetation in order to keep them warm until their return to the nest, or when alarmed she may hastily cover the eggs for protection, but I hardly think that the eggs are incubated by ‘‘heat generated by the decaying vegetation which usually composes the nest,’”’ although most writers claims this to bea fact. In a letter received from my esteemed friend Dr. Elliott Coues, Washington, D. C., January 28th, 1894, in reply to my inquiry regarding the nesting and breeding habits of the Pied-bill Grebe, writes me as follows: ‘‘The Grebe you name hatches its eggs mainly by animal heat to which that of decaying vegetation can add but little if any.”’ = EFFECT OF THE SEASON ON MIGRATION. | BY H. J. GIDDINGS. N studying migration, one of the principal questions to present itself is the l effect of the season on the movement of the different species. And that the changes in the season, one year with another, does influence the movement of the different species is well proven. Although what that power is which com- pels the various species to take up their annual march with the season each year, verying from a short distance in some species to thousands of miles in others, still remains undiscovered. In my opinion this impulse can be partly ac- counted for by the general restlessness of the different species which causes them to be continually on the move, except during the breeding season. The present season has been remarkable here for the large portion of cold weather intersperced with a few warm spells of a few days at a time, which would lead us to look for some unusual effect upon migration, and that is what we find, at least with regard to some of the less hardy species. On a comparison of my notes of the present season with those for the past eight years I find that while stragglers of a good many species came as early as usual, the bulk of most species did not follow as closely behind the first as usual, and a few species which usually summer here in quite considerable numbers have almost failed to put in an appearance. With regard to the Warblers there wasn’t any time when they were present in any great numbers, but came straggling along a few at a time and never enough present at one time to make much of a showing, and what were present were unusually quiet. All of the more hardy species came about as usual and at about the average time. The following is the date of arrival of some of the most common species that arrived at about the average time: March 10, Mal- lard, Pintail, Robin, Bluebird; March 11, Canada Goose, Meadowlark, Wilson Snipe, Rusty Grackle; March 12, Redwing Blackbird; March 14, Bronze Grackle; March 16, Song Sparrow; March 22, Phoebe, Flicker, and a single 42 IowWA ORNITHOLOGIST. male Purple Martin, which was the earliest record for this species that I have ever made and not withstanding that the weather turned very cold and there came two snow storms after that, he remained right along; March 29, White- rumped Shrike; March 30, Fox Sparrow; April 1, Field, Vesper and Chipping Sparrows ; April 19, Whippoorwill; April 22, Brownthrasher; April 28, Scarlet Tanager. I give the above as a sample of the species that appeared at about the usual time and became common in the usual time after arrival. This is only a partial list of such species, but enough to illustrate the point. The following species came straggling along: Towhee, first seen Apr. 6, which is very late for this species; did not become tolerably common until Apr. 14 and was not present in its usual numbers before the last of the month. Cowbird. first seen Apr. 8, about an average date, but they did not become fairly connmon until the 18th and was not present in the usual numbers before the 24th inst. Red-eyed Viero, first seen Apr. 28, straggled along until May 12 before it was fairly com- mon, and is not present in its usual numbers yet, June 19. Golden Warbler, first Apr. 28, tolerably common May 7; this species usually comes nearly in a bulk. Black and White Warbler, first seen May 1; no more until May 14, never appeared common. Orchard Oriole, first Apr. 29, a single bird ; was not com- mon before May 10. Baltimore Oriole, one bird seen Apr. 28, 10 more for several days; did not arrive in the usual number until May 12; this species usually arrives nearly ina bulk. Dickcissel, first, a single bird May 5, next a single bird May 9, became common about a week later. Chestnut-sided Warbler Was not seen until May 6, a late date, and was only fairly common three days later, and the bulk of the species did not appear for some time after. Tennessee Warbler did not make its appearance until May 10, a very late date for this species, but they all came at once and were present for ten days. Yellow Throat Was not seen until May 15, the latest date for the species I have ever recorded, and then they did not become common before the 20th. |Yellow-billed Cuckco, Was not seen before May 11, when a single bird was seen, but no more until May 20, and only a very few has been seen this season. Wood Pewee, first seen May 16, about ten days later than the average; they were common three days later. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, first seen May 12, not much’behind the average, but with the exception of a few stragglers, the species was not present until two weeks later when they became common. Heretofore I have always found this species common at the time of the flowering of the wild Columbine, but this year the Columbines were in full bloom when the first arrived. Bell’s Vireo, one was seen May 10 and another May 14 which is all of this species that I have seen the present season. Heretofore this has always been a common breeder here. | Yellow-breasted Chat, first seen May 9 and a few mcre May 16. This bird also has failed to locate in their usual haunts and up to the present time I have failed to find a single pair nesting, nor have I heard a bird for some time. Kentucky Warbler has nested here during the past few seasons, but this year none have been seen or heard. This being about the northern limit of this species, doubtlessly it has not advanced this far the present season. I think the foregoing examples, although but a few, will serve to show that the season just past had an unusual effect upon the movements of some species. Newell, THe PRAIRIE HEN. 43 THE PRAIRIE HEN—(Tympanuchus americanus). BY WILMON NEWELL. HIS beautiful game bird is a native of the Mississippi valley from Louisiana to Minnesota, and from Wisconsin on the east to New Mexico and Nevada upon the west, being most abundant in the western and north-western portions of this area. This bird is well known to naturalists and ornithologists and there are very few collections that do not contain one or more specimens. For this reason a description of the bird is here unnecessary. The Prairie Hen is a common resident throughout the state of Iowa, but is most abundant along the northern and western borders. Fifteen years ago the Prairie Chickens (commonly so-called) were exceedingly abundant in Sioux county, but for several years sportsmen from Minneapolis and Chicago made this locality their headquarters. The consequences were that the chickens suf- fered great slaughter and were very nearly exterminated. Of course this scarcity soon disposed of the city sportsmen and their machine guns. The chickens have suffered very little from the local nimrods and have of late years steadily increased. At present (making a rough estimate) we have an average of from four to eight chickens per square mile. Of course I do not say that you will find chickens upon every section, for the habits of the bird would knock this theory out of the box. During the winter the chickens gather in flocks of from twenty to seventy- five, each flock ranging over an area of from four to six square miles. They are exceedingly wary during the winter and it is impossible to get within gun-range of them. Occasionally a single bird will become separated from the flock, and in such cases the bird may sometimes be flushed from the grass or stubble and thus be secured. Throughout the winter they feed upon corn, wheat and such chance grains as they may find. The cornfields however are their main reliance. At this season they roost in the bunchss of long slough grass or in the snow in the immediate vicinity. Each bird will hollow out for himself a hole in the snow, merely large enough and deep enough to nicely protect him from the wind. Here he stays over night as snug and warm as you please. It would seem that the drifting snow would cover and. suffocate them but I have never known of such a case, probably because the roosting places selected are compar- atively open and there is very little to hold the snow. At this season of the year the Prairie Chickens suffer very little from their natural enemies, but many are killed by flying against telegraph wires and barbed-wire fences during heavy snow storms or high winds. The Prairie Chickens remain in flocks until the breeding season and then separate. As soon as spring opens the continuous *‘Bom-Bom-Boo-o” of the roosters and the cackle of the hens can be heard any morning in the neighborhood of an upland meadow, and to the naturalist and lover of Nature it is music indeed. The Prairie Hen nests in the tall slough grass as a rule, but I have often found nests in tall stubble. Occasionally a nest is found in an exposed position, where there is little or no grass. Before the north-western part of the state was 44 IowA ORNITHOLOGIST®. settled up, the birds nested upon the uplands as well as in the sloughs and when the prairie was burnt over in the spring thousands of eggs and even many of the old birds were destroyed. After such fires I have seen as many as four nests to the acre on an average. The eggs are sometimes used by the farmers for food. The nests are built between the middle of April and the forepart of May. How- ever the time will vary, owing to whether or not the spring is warm and dry. The number of eggs in a clutch varies from six to twelve, seven or eight being the average number. The young chickens when hatched are beautiful downy little fellows, white with markings of brown.. They are reads for business as soon as they get out of the shell, and the way they start off on their little legs is surprising to say the least. If the eggs are hatched under a tame hen the yottng birds will pay absolutely no‘attention to their new parent and as soon as they get a chance they start off on a steady trot, with a determination to get away at once. Pick one up if you will, as soon as you put him down, away he goes. I have tried to keep them by putting them in a large grassy space inclosed with boards but it won’t work. The little fellows will start that steady dog-trot and they’ll make a beaten path around the inclosure in a few hours. They refuse to par- take of food in captivity and of course their steady running soon kills them. After trying all sorts of schemes to domesticate the Prairie Hen I have long since given it up with disgust and common sense. As to how the chicks act when hatched under their natural parent I ant unable to say. However I have observed a mother hen with her chicks upon several occasions. The mother hen in her habits greatly resembles our own tame biddy. She hunts food for her family of ten or a dozen and keeps them around her with a peculiar ‘‘cluck”’ which differs much from the clucking of a tame hen. If alarmed, the mother hen gives a quick, warning ery and like a flash the whole family, mother and all, will be scattered far apart and each one will be snugly hidden in the grass. While the chicks are small and unable to fly the family rarely leaves the tall slough grass. About July Ist the young birds are able to fly short distances and they then betake themselves to the fields of uneut grain. By Sept. Ist all the birds are expert flyers and now doth the sportsman appear to work damage among them. The flock stays together until winter time when all the chickens of a neighborheod gather together ina single flock. = Z +> MANCHESTER, 1897. YOU WILL BE WELCOME. HE Iowa Ornithological Association will convene August 11-12-13, 1897, in ai the Congregational church at Manchester, Iowa. This, the third con- gress, promises to be far the best attended, and therefore the most interesting, of any meeting ever held by Iowa ornithologists. The congress will open with an informal session, Wednesday morning, Aug. 11th, for the purpose of becoming personally acquainted wlth each other and MANCHESTER, 1897. 45 for discussing any subject pertaining to our chosen study—ornithology—that may present itself at the moment. This cannot, fail in being one of the most enjoyable and profitable meetings of the congress and members should make every possible effort to arrange their work so as to be present at this session. At the following sessions the Association will proceed with the reading of scientific papers—i. e. ornithological—which will be of consummate interest to all present. All members that attend will participate in the discussions which follow the reading of each paper. Among the subjects that will be presented will be found ‘‘The Use of the Camera in Ornithological Observations,” ‘‘The Closely Related Spices of the Wrens and Shrikes,”’ also many others of equal interest. One session will be given over to the discussion of ‘‘Ways and Means of Observing and Collecting Ornithological Specimens and Taxidermical Work.” Eyery member will come prepared to give at least one new ‘‘wrikle”’ in collect- ing and preparing material or on observations. The report of the compilation committee, with following discussions, will form a session of not the least interest. It is anticipated that before another congress the catalogue ‘Birds of Iowa’’ will be ready for publication. The question of how, when and where will this be published will be thoroughly dis- cussed and a decission passed. The public session will not be omitted, at which a number of papers of both a popular and scientific nature, will be read. It is designed te make this one of the greatest scientific meetings ever held within the state. The leading ornithologists of Iowa will be there and all can- not fail to be benefited by what they ‘hear. New books and other publications will be reviewed in this department. Authors wishing publigations reviewed should send them to the Editor. who will examine them personally and vive them due consideration. “Some Common Birds’ in their relation to agriculture, by F. EH. L. Beal. This is a continuation of the Sree work being done in economic ornithol- ogy by the Eiolcgical Suivey of the U. S. Dept. cf Apriculttre. This bulletin contains the results of systematic See of the food habits of about 30 of our grain and insect eating birds, belonging to ten different families. The limit of the bulletin precludes giving more than a very brief statement regarding the foed of each species. The past investigation of this department has placed an economical value on birds that were previously thought to be injurious in their relation to agriculture. May this systematic work be continued, for indeed more commendable work could not be done than to teach the agriculturitts - which are his feathered friends and how to protect them, as well as how to guard against the attack of his foes. 46 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. “Cooke's Birds of Colorado.’’ The work sets fourth the present knowledge of the distribution and migration of Colorado birds. There is also included a bibliography of the subject and an historical review of the progress of ornitho- logical investigation in the state. The total number of species and varieties of birds known to oceur in Colorado is 360, of which 228 are known to breed. This is a larger number of species than has been taken in any state east of the Missis- sippi, and is exceeded by only one state of the Union, that is by Nebraska by nearly 400 species. The copiously annotated list of 360 species is arranged in accordance with the classification of the A. O. U. check list. The A. O. U. number is omitted and only the successive numbers of the birds found in Color- ado are entered. Preceeding the list proper, the species are classified in the fol- lowing manner: residents 87, regular winter visitants from the north 24, regular breeders that sometimes occur in winter 17, rare or accidental winter visitants 22, summer residents 228, sammer visitants not known to breed 15, migrants 58, stragglers 48, regular visitants from east and soutn-east 14, rare visitants from east and south-east 33, regular visitants from west and south-west 20, rare vis- itants from west and south-west 12. It would have been preferable if the author had placed the 48 stragglers or doubtful species in a seperate list instead of placing them in the body of the work. As a whole, the work is a valuable con- tribution to the ornithological literature of Colorado. Mr. Cooke displayes rare skill and efficiency in its preparation. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Beal, F. E. L., Some Common Birds, in their relation to agriculture. (Bull. No. 54, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1897, pp. 1-40, 22 figs.) Cooke, W. W., The Birds of Colorado, (Bull. Colorado Agr. Exper. station, No. 37, pp. 1-143, March, 1897.) Bulletin, Michigan Ornithological Club, Vol. 1. No. 2, April, 1897. “General Notes,”’ Bull. ‘Nos. 14-15, Wilson Orn. Chap. of A. A., May-July, 1897. Le Naturaliste Canadien, Vol. 24, Nos. 5-7, May-July, 1897. Museum, Vol. 3, Nos. 7-9, May- July, 1897. Nidologist, Vol. 4, Nos. 8-10, April-June, 1897. Oologist, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-6, April-June, 1897, Oregon Naturalist, Vol. 4, Nos. 5-7, May-July, 1897. Osprey, Vol. 1, Nos. 9-11, May-July, 1897. Popular Science News, Vol. 31, Nos. 5-7, May-July, 1897. Recreation, Vol. 6, No. 6, June, 1897. Stories from Nature, Vol. 1, No. 1, June, 1897. ———— + ~— Eight new members (seven active and one associate) have been admitted to the I. O. A. since the list published in the January, 1897, Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. To active membership, Hall H. Thomas, Decorah; George C. Hoover, West Branch ; Henry Elridge, Decorah; E. D. Carter, Berkely; John S. Kinner, Fayette; Frank Robertson, Fayette; Harris I. Smullen, Clinton and Bert H. | Wilson, Rock Island, Dl, to associate membership. The # lowa ¥ Ornithofogist. Vol. III. OCTOBER, 1897. No. III. ONE SMALL PIECE OF GROUND. BY BURTIS H. WILSON. Paper read before the Third Congress of i, Ow. HE number of birds that may be found in a small area is legion—provided | the character of the ground is sufficiently varied. In the northern portion of the city of Davenport, Iowa, just outside the thickly settled district, is a piece of ground, about two acres in extent, belonging to a florist, who, for several years, has not taken the care of his grounds that he did when he was young and doing a flourishing business. The. grounds are divided nearly in half by the greenhouses which extend from east to west. Let us look first at the southern half. From the green houses the land slopes toward the south-east the extreme corner being cut off by a little creek. This little corner is filled with a grove of small maples. From the creek to the southwest corner, the fence is lined with bushes and small trees, as is also the fence on the west side. North of the greenhouses the land is different. The north end fence is overgrown with woodbine and raspberry vines; next to it stands a ‘‘wind-brake’”’ of several rows of maples, very close together and very tall, running the whole width of the grounds. Then at short intervals south of these trees are rows of small trees of many varieties, overgrown with vines, blackberry bushes, rows of. currant bushes and flowering shrubs. Only the extreme half of the northern part of the ground is thus covered, the part next the greenhouse being devoted to flowers. Taken as a whole these grounds are a paradise for birds, such as the Thrushes, Jays, Warblers, Vireos, Flycatchers, and aboveall the Frin Sillide. In the migrating season, hosts of Sparrows of all kinds, White-throated, White-crowned, Chipping, Field, Tree, Song, Swamp, Fox and the English Sparrows, Chewinks, Goldfinches, Grosbeaks, Purple Finches, and many others abound here. Among the rarer visitors during the migrations, I have noted one Harris’ and one Clay-colored, both being seen in the bushes at the north end, The ‘‘windbrake”’ of maples is the home of many Woodpeckers, especial- ly the Yellow-bellied, during the migrations. At one end of the row stand two or three evergreen trees with their bark pitted all over by these birds. Around the evergreens is a mat of berry bushes which is always full of birds. Among these maples, one spring, I flushed a Whip-poor-will several times and as this bird is quite rare here, I considered it quite a find. Blackbirds and Orioles are ‘ 48 IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. very abundant, the former especially so in the spring. Among the thickets the Screech Owl finds seclusion by day and a plentiful supply of birds and field- mice at night. Here also the Great Northern Shrike makes his winter home and is always sure of a Tree-Sparrow, or if he goes into the next field he may vary his diet with a Horned Lark for dinner. In the little grove of maples at the south-east corner I flushed a Woodcock several times one hot afternoon in August. Here, too, I have seen a Marsh Hawk, and in one of the plumb trees near the south fence a Green Heron once ventured to alight. Speaking of Herons reminds me that I once saw.a Night Heron alight in the top of a large boxelder standing by the little creek and about a hundred yards south of the little grove of maples. And also that during the migration one spring a boy found an American Bittern sitting in a brush heap just back of a house not more than a hundred yards south-west of the place I have been describing. The Bittern allowed itself to be captured and placed in a cage where I saw it a few days later. I might also state that in the bushes and small trees across the road and not a hundred feet distant from the small grove where I flushed the Wocdcock, I have shot a Winter Wren, Long-billed Marsh Wren, Yellow- bellied Flycatcher and Black-billed Cuckoo. Furthermore, one very hot Sun- day afternoon in July a Great Horned Owl, pursued by a mob of Blue Jays, paused for a few minutes in the top of one of the large maples which stand close by the florist’s house. These grounds furnished a good field for the Oologist. Here is a list of the birds I have found nesting on the premises and it is probable that this does not represent more than one-half the varieties which nest within its boundaries: Robin, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, House Wren, Tartle Dove, Bronzed Grackle, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Cedar Bird, American Goldfinch, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Field and Chipping Sparrows, Yellow-bellied Cuckoo, Black-capped Chickadee, Bell’s and Warbling Vireos, Yellow Warbler and last, but not least common, the Cowbird. I have seen the Maryland Yellow-throat with a worm in its bill and very much excited by my presence but was unable to find the nest. I give here a few notes from my journal : 1. May 22, 1895, Chickadee’s nest, three highly incubated eggs, three feet from the ground in a hole in a rotten stump. 2. June 7, 1896, Orchard Oriole’s nest, three fresh eggs, also one egg of the Chipping Sparrow. Nest twenty feet up in a Lombardy poplar, lined with hair like a Chipping Sparrow’s. 3. May 27, 1891. Field Sparrow, three eggs of the Sparrow and two of the Cowbird. Nest on the ground under wild parsnip. 4, June 16, 1891, Bell’s aa. four eggs. Nest three feet from the ground in a currant bush. ma 5. August 19, 1892. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, two eggs. Nest ten feet up in a maple sappling covered with grape-vines. In another small maple sappling, a friend of mine once found a Goldfinch’s nest containing spotted eggs. These are only a few of the many notes I made in these grounds. Surely ‘ Wilson, ONE SMALL PIECE oF GROUND. 49° this was a paradise for the small birds. I say was for the florist has at last had. the place cleaned up; trees, bushes and vines cut down or trimmed and, since the place has returned to civilization, no more shall I visit it, for with the removal of the wild growth the most of the birds have also gone. DISCUSSIONS. MR. J. H. BROWN says he has visited the place of which Mr. Wilson. speaks and it was indeed ‘‘a paradise for birds.”” But at the present time the place has been cleaned up and divided up and sold and now new buildings are being erected on the grounds. Mrs. Triem speaks of a beatiful sight which she has visited ; a valley where there are an immence number of birds, especially during the migrating season. [Perhaps Mrs. Triem can, in the near future, give us an extended account of her experiences and finds in this valley. Eb.] The fact that the White-crowned Sparrow is abundant near Davenport and quite rare at Burlington was mentioned by Mr. Brown, but he could give us no satisfactory solution of the question ‘‘why this was so?’ He also thought that possibly the Chipping Sparrow’s egg found by Mr. Wilson in an Orchard Oriole’s nest, might have been a runt egg of the Oriole, as he has found a set of four of the Oriole’s eggs Which were no larger than ©hipping Sparrow’s eggs. And again, from the fact that the nest had a lining of hair, it may have been first built by the Sparrow which laid one egg before the Oriole chanced along and took possession; the Oriole refitting the nest and laying her eggs without molesting the 2 eas Sparrow’s egg. Mrs. Mary L. Rayn asks if the Cowbird and the Cuckoo are the only ELS that lay in other birds’ nests. Mr. Brown states that the Cuckoos do not lay in the nests of other birds. Simply the two species of Cuckoos—the Yellow-billed and Black-billed—will occasionally drop their eggs in the other’s nest. Of this occasional freak, Messrs. Law, Brown and Savage have made authentic observation. Mrs. M. A. Triem remarks that she has seen the House Wren sitting on a set of English Sparrow’s eggs, but she did not have the opportunity of revisit- iug the place and making fusther investigation. Therefore, it may have been that this little inquisitive Wren found the Sparrow’s nest when the owner was absent and thought she would try her skill at incubating Passer domesticus eggs. [Idare say that the Wren disappeared quickly upon the Sparrow’s return. I do not attribute enough reasoning faculty to these impetuous foreigners for them to become successful parasites. ED. ] Mr. J. Eugene Law spoke of the explanation of the ‘large sets,’’ such as seven and eight eggs of the Crow, fifteen and twenty eggs of the Bob-white, as being the result of two females laying in the same nest. Probably this circum- stance is indulged in by a much larger number of species and more often than 50 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. is usually supposed. He also mentions the late nesting of the Cuckoos, es- pecially the Yellow-billed. He has found its nest with fresh eggs in as late as August 20th. Mr. D. L. Savage brings the date to August 25th and Mr. Brown found in one tree, on September 4th, a Dove’s nest containing two fresh eggs and just above it a nest of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo in which were three slight- ly incubated eggs. Mrs. Raun found two young Mourning Doves in a nest as late as September 14th. The diet of the Shrike was quite thoroughly discussed. Mrs. Triem was not aware of their eating Prairie}Horned Larks, but had seen them catch Tree © Sparrows. It wasaunanimous decision that the barbed wire fences was a great boon to these birds; frogs, mice, Tree Sparrows and grasshoppers had been seen suspended from barbs. Mr. Brown finds the Loggerhead at Daven- port in equal abundance with the White- ramped Shrike. There is some ques- tion about his statement. He says this is an opening for systematic investiga- tion, there is room for opinions on both sides. A number of our Wrens and Flycatchers should receive special attention also. Mrs. Bae was very glad that Mr. Wilson brought such an interesting sub- ject before us, and she is going to make a list of the birds she finds in the lawn near her home and give to us at the next congress. That will be some syste- matic work. In speaking of investigation on birds near town, recalls to Mr. Law some of his early experiences.. For a month or more a flock of Evening Grosbeaks fed daily within the corporations of Perry, Ia. Our ornithologist at that place was very desirous of obtaining a number of specimens, so he would arise before people were awake and shoot once or twice—not often enough to arouse any disturbance—but continuing this a few mornings, the desired number of speci- mens were obtained. Mr. Brown was not energetic enough to follow the above prescriptic 2, but he, with Mr. Paul Bartsch, devised a scheme which worked successfully in Iowa City. A flock of birds—Redpolls—were feeding on the weeds along one side of the college campus, Mr. Brown secured an air gun and carefully discharged it at convenient intervals, while his co-worker in an un- concerned manner followed behind picking up the birds. A _ satisfactory number of Redpolls were secured. Not unfrequently this means was resorted to when rare birds were in the neighborhood and always with success. Mr. Brown, while speaking of the rarer birds mentions the Red Crossbill.. He thinks that it is possible that this species may be found nesting in the state in some of the wilder sections. Mr. Law saw three females in May at Perry, Iowa, and he has observed them in September; he also has seen a specimen of Evening Grosbeak in June, in Dallas county, but it was undoubtedly a lost bird. The question is asked, ‘‘How many species of Juncos do we have in the state?’ There is no positive answer to the question, but a number volunteer to make thorough investigation and undoubtedly this question will be cleared up before another congress. Up to date there are no authentic records of but one species being found—the Slate-colored Junco. Bartsch, SUMMER BirDs OF THE ONEOTA VALLEY. 51 SUMMER BIRDS OF THE ONEOTA VALLEY. : (JUNE, JULY, 1895.) BY PAUL BARTSCH. Paper read before the Third Congress of I. O. A. ATURE asif toshow mankind what the conditions in that great fertile N region traversed by the glaciers in the ice age, scarred, planed and covered by a morainic deposit, would have been; left untouched a strip of land extending over south-eastern Minnesota, western Wisconsin and north-eastern Iowa—a region wild, romantic and beautiful, the dream of our landscape ar- tist, the paradise of our naturalist. This region within our bounds is traversed in the northern portion by the Oneota river and its tributaries—it is the avifauna of this tract that I wish to _ consider in the present paper. As topographic environment is one of the prime factors in the distribution of many of our birds, it will not be amiss to briefly consider this feature of our chosen field. The Oneota, though not as active as during glacial and preglacial time, is nevertheless working slowly and diligently to lower its channel throughout most of its course. The lessened amount of water causes the stream to meander through a wide flood plane bounded everywhere by high ridges and bold bluffs. One may get somewhat of an idea of the amount of work accomplished by the stream in course of time, if he considers that it has cut a gorge through the various formations from the Trenton down to about 800 feet below the summit of the St. Croix sandstone. The little tributaries have been equally busy and even now seem to try hard to cut down through the opposing rocks to keep on the same level with the river. Not always able to accomplish this in a uniform manner, owing to differences of rock texture, many beautiful water falls and cataracts have been formed in their course. Not unfrequently the gorge cut by some small rivulet has intersected an underlying water vein* and the additional force has helped to grind and cut deeper the lower course of the stream and now a beautiful water fall tumbles noisily from the cliff. Throughout the course steep hills bound the valley on both sides. Fre- quently perpendicular cliffs rise almost from the water’s edge to a heighth of several hundred feet and where the Oneota lime stone comes to the surface, bold, bared, massive battlements crown the summit of the adjacent hills. The valley is wide,—the floodplane constitutes the farming land of the region. The currant varies with the formation ; at places it is slack, then again * I particularly have in mind Seevers spring, some two miles south-east of Decorah. 52 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. it races along rapidly over a series of shallows, almost cataracts, and it is such places that make the river rather difficult to navigate in anything but a port- able canoe. * If one ascends one of the eminences he will notice a succession of ridges scattered irregularly, and generally separated by some tributary of the Oneota river. All these elevations are of about the same height, most of them with rounded top and abruptly sloping sides—typical features of a country long sub- jected to the agents of water and mechanical erosion. Frequently, however, tall buttes with rounded tops and steep boulder} covered sides can be seen, sen- tinels in the centre of the valleys. The north-eastern slopes of all these ridges and buttes are covered by a mixed forest composed chiefly of burr oak (Quercus macro carpa, Michx.) hichories (Hicoria ovata. Mill.) Britt. and glabra (Mill. Britt.) and not unfrequently we find white pine (Pinus strobus L.) balsam (Abies balsamea Mill.) and Juniper (Juniperu virginiana L.) striving vainly for supremacy with the deciduous forest. On the slopes bounding the river in Winnesheik Co., and for a little way in Allamakee, the white trunks of the Paper Birds (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) vie with the glistening boulders for conspicuousness and it is indeed beautiful to see the contrast of the white in the dark deep green of its sur- rounding. 5 The valley still retains some of the old giant patriarchs of the forest as man’s axe has spared many, not on account of sentiment or love for the beauti- ful, for that indeed stands little show when the almighty dollar is the other consideration, but rather of their distance from a convenient port or place where they might be turned into lumber, the younger timber being more desirable for fire wood. Giant elms, bass-wood, maples, hickories and oaks form the bulk of the timber and occasionally a sycamore stretches its, ghostly branches above the other vegetation. Tt is in these sylvan dells, where underbrush is scanty, that the Cerulean Warbler informs us of his presence, and the soft gradually fading veery-veery- veery of the Wilson’s Thrush is offset by the bell-like tones of our woodland minstrel the Wood-thrush. The plaintiff note of the Wood-pewee, the chip- churrr of the Tanager and the daintily lisped song of the Redstart mingled with strophes from the Red-eyed and Warbling Vireo and harsher notes of the Flicker and Redhead greet you on all sides. The querulous rise and fall of the Blue-winged Yellow Warbler’s song and an occasional chant of the Oven Bird not to be forgotten. The reedy marshes with their lily covered lakes are choice places for the Red-winged Blackbird, Woodcock, Swamp Sparrow, Long-billed Marsh Wren, Killdeer and Plover, as well as the ever present Song Sparrow, the saucy * View from bluff opposite ‘‘The Elephant,’’ Sect. 32, Twp. 100, N. R. V. W., Allamakee county, Iowa. + Boulders of disintigration not transportation. Bartsch, SUMMER BIRDS OF THE ONEOTA VALLEY. 53 Western Maryland Yellow-throat, together with a host of swiftly gliding Swal- lows, all bent upon the destruction of the luckless insect. which may have stretched its wings for the first time in its first flight; emerging from the EEL form and its watery home to an untimely death. The notes given with the species in the following list were taken between June 11 and July 10, 1895, a time when most birds are stationary, i. e. the sway- ing back and forth of a few weeks previous to this date is practically at rest and most birds are intent upon domestic duties. It is therefore highly prob- able that most if not all of them breed within the area under discussion, though absolute proof is lacking in the majority of cases. I have noted in each case whether the bird was foand in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties or in Only one of them: (1)—Larus philadelphia. BONAPARTS GULL. A small flock of these birds were seen skimming about the marshes near the mouth of the river. Allamakee Co. (2)—Lophodytes cucullatus. HOODED MERGANSER. Several of these birds were noted in the marshes near the Missippi river. Allamakee Co. (3)—Aix sponsa. WOOD-DUCK. Several Wood-ducks were noted in our course down the stream and several more were seen in the locality cited for the Hooded Merganser. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (4)—Botaurus lentiginosus. AMERICAN BITTERN. A large number of these birds were observed in the marshes at the junction of the Chicago and Milwaukee R.R. and the Oneota river. Several were shot, among them a specimen which had lost one leg immediately above the tarsus. The birds undoubtedly breed here. Allamakee Co. (5)—Ardea herodias. GREAT BLUE HERON. Seen in the marshes near New Albin. Allamakee Co. (6)—Ardea virescens. GREEN HERON. Not a very common bird, but several were observed along the river—more plentiful as we approached the Mississippi. Winnesheik and Allamakee Co’s. (7)—Philohela minor. WOODCOCK. This bird breeds at Decorah where I obtained several young. They were also met with in many other places farther down the stream and seemed to be fairly abundant,—perhaps there is little persecution from the sportsman which would account for their comparative abundance. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (8)—Actitis macularia. SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Very abundant throughout the range—young as well as old birds were seen 54 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. everywhere. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (9)—H# gialitis vocifera. KILLDEER. This bird was noted in the marshes at Decorah and near New Albin and also in several places between these points. On one occasion at quite a distance from the water. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (10)—Colinus virginianus. BOB WHITE. The Pleasing call of this species greeted us from many a meadow and field in our journey down the steam. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (11)—Bonusa umbellus. RUFFED GROUSE. Very numerous throughout the valley. Many broods were flushed and young in various stages, from a few days old to half grown, were obtained. They seemed to prefer the brushy slopes but were also quite abundant in the timber of the valley. Winneshiek and Allamakee counties. (12)—Meleagris gallopavo. WILD TURKEY. A few stray feathers from wing and tail of this species were found in the more remote portions of the valley which would indicate their presence, though no birds were actually seen. Allamakee county. (13)—Zenaidura macroura. MOURNING DOVE. Noted on the sand flats along the river where they seem to come for sand baths. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (14)—Cathartes aura. TURKEY VULTURE. Quite common along the valley, especially where the Oneota lime stone forms the cap, in the crevices of which I suppose they find suitable breeding places. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (15)—Aceipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED HAWL. Common ; breeds in the crevices in the cliffs. The young are very noisy and usually betray the nesting site by their notes. I examined one of these abodes several hundred feet above the river in the cliff adjacent to the Chicago and Milwaukee R. R. near its junction with the Oneota, a little south-west of New Albin (Iowa Bluff), and found numerous wings of the smaller birds, such as Warblers, Black Birds, Meadow Larks, Song Sparrows, Flickers, Robins, etc., etc., as well as some bones belonging to small rodents, Spermophiles perhaps, scattered about the crevice. The young were large enough to vacate the resi- dence when I made my appearance (July 5, 1895) and I had to be contented to gaze upon the amount of mischeif wrought by a family of these falcons. The Sharp-shinn surely has few redeeming features, when we consider the amount of havoc he causes among our small birds. These birds were noticed to extend about forty miles up the valley and ap- peared to inhabit many of the exposures along the Mississippi valley as far south as Eagle Point Dubuque, where the last family was noted. Single birds were seen near Decorah, but no nesting site in cliffs was observed until we had Bartsch, SUMMER BIRDS OF THE ONEOTA VALLEY. dD passed the boundary between the two counties. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. ; (16)—Aceipiter cooperi. . COOPER’S HAWK. Apparently not so abundant as the foregoing, and confined more to the timber area. Three young and an addled egg were taken from a nest at De- corah. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (17)—Butes borealis. RED-TAILED HAWKE. Quite common throughout the valley. Not a day passed but what a num- ber of these birds were noticed. Several young and adults were shot from the boat. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (185)—Buteo lineatus. RED-SHOULDERED HAWE. By no means as common as the last. Allamakee county. (19)—Buteo latissimus. BROAD-WINGED HAWKE. Several of these birds were seen but none secured. Winnesheik and Alla- makee counties. (20)—Haliactus lewcocephalus. BALD EAGLE. A bird, which I.took to be of this species, was seen flying about a cliff on June 28th, in Allamakee county. a ~ (21)—Falco peregrinus anatum. DUCH HAWK. A pair of birds which I am inclined to refer to this species were noticed sporting about one of the steep escanpments. The graceful swift movements and size cause me to believe that it must have been this master, as he is the only one able to perform such feats of wing. Allamakee county. (22)—Faleo spavartus. SPARROW HAWKE. Not common in the valley proper ; only a few observed and these frequented the more exposed situations. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (23)—Bubo virginianus. GREAT HORNED OWL. Quite common ; a young bird whose head was still covered with down was shot. The birds keep close to the water and on several occasions I flushed them in early morning from fallen trees which extended into the water. The fact that this happened repeatedly led me to believe that Bubo might at times vary his diet by catching a fish. Is it not possible that the fish might be attracted by his glowing eyes? Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. ! (24)—Syrnium mebulosum. BARRED OWL. Seems to be more restricted to the hills and hill-sides. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. } (25)—Megascops asio. SCREECH OWL. The querulous wailing note of this bird was heard many an evening in our 56 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. course down stream. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (26)—Coccyzus americanus. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. Quite common but shy. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (27)—Ceryle alcyon. KINGFISHER. Not very common but generally distributed throughout the valley. Win- nesheik and Allamakee counties. (28)—Dryobates villosws. HAIRY WOODPECKER. Quite common throughout the valley; young and adults were obtained in Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (29)—Dryobates pubescens medianus. DOWNY WOODPECKER. Very common everywhere. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (30)—Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER. Several families, old and young, of this bird were met with in the timber bordering the river. They seem to be partial to such locations as not a single bird was observed in any other place. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (31)—Melanerpes erythrocephalus. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. A common bird in Winnesheik and Alamakee counties. (32)—Melanerpes carolinus. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. Not common and apparently restricted to the heavy timber. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (33)—Colaptes auratus. FLICKER. Common everywhere. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (34)—Antrostomus vociferus. WHIP-POOR-WILL. Judging from their notes, I should say that they were not very abundant. But this I believe is their silent season so the mere fact that they were heard will have to suffice for this record. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (35)—Chordeiles virginianus. NIGHT HAWK. Quite common in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (36)—Chaetura pelagica. CHIMNEY SWIFT. Common everywhere and I believe careful search would reveal some primi- tive nesting sights in trees. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (387)—Trochilwus colubris. RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD. Very common in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (38)—Tyrannus tyrannus, KING BIRD. Common in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. Nests were found at Decorah. Bartsch, SUMMER BIRDS OF THE ONEOTA VALLEY. 57 (39)—Mytarchus crinitus. CRESTED FLYCATCHER. , This bird frequents the wooded valleys where its noisy call betrays its pres- ence oftener than the sight of the bird itself. Winnesheik and Allamakee Co’s. (40)—Sayornis phoebe. PHBE. Very abundant ; nests were found under bridges and one in an old stump. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (41)—Cantopus virens. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. Quite abundant along the water courses. Winnesheik and Allamakee Co’s. | (42)—Empidonax virescens. WOOD PEWEE. One of the most abundant summer residents. Its pretty nests were found in many places in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (43)—Empidonax minimus, LEAST FLYCATCHER. These birds breed abundantly about Decorah where a number of nests were examined, some containg fresh eggs, some young. The nest is a beautiful structure built in the fork of some branch, usually only a few (6 to 15) feet from the ground. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (44)—Octoris alpestris praticola. PRAIRIE HORNED LARK. A few of these birds were observed in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. Usually their note, when on wing, notified us of their presence. (45)—Cyanocitta cristata. BLUE JAY, This noisy marauder was always present. Winnesheik and Allamakee Co’s. (46)—Corvus americanus. AMERICAN CROW. Very common in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (47)—Dolichonyx oryzivorus. BOBOLINK. Common in the rank meadows where the male pours forth his bubbling song, from reed or whilst he flutters in the air. Nests were found at Decorah. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (48)—Molothrus ater. COW-BIRD. Common in both Winnesheik and Alamakee counties. (49)—A gelaius phoeniceus. RED-WINGED BLACK-BIRD. Very abundant about the marshes, where a number of nests were found. None were placed more than four feet from the ground. Winnesheik and Alla- makee counties. (50)—Sturnellu magna. MEADOW LARK. Quite common in the fields of the valley. Winnesheik and Allamakee Co’s. (51)—Iterus spurius. ORCHARD ORIOLE. Abundant; nests throughout the valley. Winnesheik and Allamakee Co’s. 58 IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. 5 (52)—Quiscalus quiscula aenews. BRONZED GRACKLE. Common in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. ae (53)—Icterus galbula. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. By far not as common as the last. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (54)—Spinus tristis. GOLD FINCH. Very abundant and feeding, apparently, upon seeds of the thistle (Cnicws lanceolutus), only at this time. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (55)—Poocaetes Sramineus. VESPER SPARROW. Next to the Song Sparrow, the most abundant summer resident. Breeds abundantly almost everywhere throughout the valley. The birds were in full song and would mount some stake or alight in a tree to deliver their pleasing notes. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (56)—Ammodramus savannarum passerinus. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. The whirring note of this bird soon announced his presence and caused the death of several of them. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (57)—Chondestes Srammaeus. LARK SPARROW. Several of these birds were noticed on a bare hillside near a small stream. Allamakee county. (58)—Spizella socialis. CHIPPING SPARROW. Common, especially so about dwellings. Winnesheik and Allamakee Co’s. (59)—Spizella pusilla. FIELD SPARROW. Common everywhere in Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (60)—Melospiza fasciata. SONG SPARROW. By far the most abundant species throughout the valley. The song, though somewhat sleepy and not so varied as at an earlier period, was nevertheless very pleasant and it seems to me that not ten rods of ground were passed with- out hearing one or more of these birds. (61)—Melospiza georgiana. SWAMP SPARROW. Not very abundant; a number were seen in the marshes. They were shy and secretive. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (62)—Pipilo erythropthalmus. TOWHEE. Very common on all brush covered hill sides. Nests were found in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (63)—Zamelodia ludoviciana. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. Breeds commonly in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. Bartsch, SUMMER Birps oF THE ONEOTA VALLEY. 59° (64)—Passerina cyanea. INDIGO. Quite common in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (65)—Spiza americana. DICKCISSEL. Common in Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (6 6)—Piranga erythromelas. Breeds abundantly i in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. All the nests were placed in oak trees way out on the branches at varying heights. (6 7)—Progne suwbis. PURPLE MARTIN. Noticed about Decorah and New Albin and also about several of the farms between these two localities. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (68)—Petrochelidon lunifrons. EAVE SWALLOW. Common ; several colonies were seen established on cliffs in Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (69)—Chelidon erythrogaster. BARN SWALLOW. This graceful bird was met with everywhere. On one occasion a nest was found attached to one of the beams on the under side of a bridge. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (70)—Tachycineta bicolor.,. WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. Quite abundant along the river, more so in the marshy tracts. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (71)—Clivicola riparia, BANK SWALLOW. Nests commonly throughout the range. Winnesheik and Missi Co’s. (72)—StelSidopterix serripennis. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. h The rarest of the Swallows. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (73)—Ampelis cedrorum. WAXWING. Quite common along the valley. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (74)—Lanius ludovicianus excubitoroides. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE. es Not very common ; frequents the more exposed situations. (75)— Vireo olivaceouws. RED-EYED VIREO. This bird is very common in the Oneota valley and quite a number of nests were found. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (76)— Vireo gilvus. WARBLING VIREO. Not as common as the last. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (77)— Vireo flavifrons. YELLO\V-THROATED VIREO. This species is rarer than the preceeding two. Nests at Decorah. Winne- 60 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. sheik and Allamakee counties. (78)—Mniotilta varia. BLACK AND WHITE CREEPING WARBLER. Common in thejwooded portions. Young and adults were obtained. Win- nesheik and Allamakee counties. (79)—Helminthophila pinus, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER. Not common ; frequents the moist wooded portions. Winnesheik and Al- lamakee counties. (80)—Helminthophila chrysoptera. GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. Rare. Only a single specimen observed in a ravine about a mile or so south of Fairport. This was a male in fullsong. I waitedand watched him carefully for some time hoping to be able to detect a nest, but in this I was dissapointed. Winnesheik county. (81)—Dendroica aestiva. YELLOW WARBLER. Breeds commonly in the willows along the the river. Winnesheik and Al- lamakee counties. (82)—Dendroica rara. CERULEAN WARBLER. Abundant in the heavy timber along the water courses. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (83)—Seiurus auricapillus. GOLDEN CROWNED THRUSH. Common ; breed abundantly on the wooded hill sides. "Winnesheik and Al- lamakee counties. (84)—Seiurus moticilla. LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. Common ; young and old were obtained. It is a pretty sight to see the parents lead the young at the water edge, encouraging them to enter and wade and calling them in when the current has proved too strong and has carried the fluttering chap down a little ways. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (85)—Geoththlypis trichas accidentalis. 'WERTERN MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. The most abundant of the Warblers. His lively which-e-ta, which-e-ta, which-e-ta, wit, was heard everywhere from the reedy marsh, as well as the bushy hill, and even the timber seems to furnish him a home in this region. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (86)—Icteria virens. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, This master singer is quite rare in the Oneota valley, only a few were noted. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (87)—Setophaga ruticilla. RED START. Breeds abundantly in both counties. Nests were found some 30 feet from the ground. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. Bartsch, Summer Birds OF THE ONEOTA VALLEY. 61 (88)—Galeoscoptis carolinensis. CAT BIRD. Breeds very abundantly throughout the valley. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (89)—Harpoehynchus rufus. BROWN THRASHER. A common breeder in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (90)—Troglodytes aedon. HOUSE WREN. _ Quite abundant at Decorah, also noted many times on our trip down stream. (91)—Cistothorus palustris. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. Quite common in the marshes about New Albin, also noted in several places along the river. Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (92)—Sitta carolinensis. NUTHATCH. This busy bird of the forest was found anite abundant in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. (oe ees Poiana CHICADEE. Very abundant throughout the range. Winnesheik and Allamakee Co’s. (94)—Turdus mustelinus. WOOD THRUSH. Common in both Winnesheik and Allamakee counties. Young and adults were obtained in both places. : (95)—Turdus fuscescens. WILSON’S THRUSH. Breeds along Canoe river near the junction with the Oneota, where young and adults were obtained. Also noted at other places. Winnesheik and Alla- makee counties. (96)—Merula migratoria. ROBIN. Common throughout the valley but partial to the cultivated portions. Win- nesheik and Allamakee counties. (97)—Sialia sialia,. BLUE BIRD. Blue Birds were exceedingly scarce owing to the cold winters of 1894-’95 which threatened to exterminate the race. Only one pair was noted about two and one-half miles south of Decorah, where they had established themselves in a tree and were left unmolested with our best wishes for a successful year at house keeping. Winnesheik county. (98)—Passer domesticus. ENGLISH SPARROW. Though the last in our list he was by no means the least abundant. He seems to have spread pretty well over the entire area of the Oneota valley, as most farms were provided with a band of these birds. Only the smaller out of the way houses seemed to have been neglected, but judging from the small flocks which were occasionally noted—evidently exploring expeditions—it will _ not take long until even these will have received their quota of these birds. 62 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. DISCUSSIONS. MR. BROWN thinks it is not always safe to judge the abundance of the Wild Turkey by the tail feathers found in the woods. Nor does it unmistak- ably indicate the presence of this species to find Turkey feathers, even in re- mote regions, as many such feathers never had more than a tame Turkey at- tached to them. Mr. Law inquires if the other members have found the Louisiana Water- Thrush to be the prevailing form in their localities. In Dallas county, he thought the Water-thrush (Seiwrws moticilla) to be the most abundant, the other species only a rare visitor. There seems to be some diversity of opinion as to which is the most plentiful in the state, both species having been noted as nesting. These were iucluded in the list of birds of which the Association should make special study the ensuing year. The fact of the Sharp-shinned Hawk nesting in such abundance in the two counties—Winnesheik and Allamakee—is surprising and brings forth a number of remarks. Mr. Brown suggests that if more thorough search were made it would probably be found nesting in other portions of the state. Mr. Savage can only see one explanation of their scarcity in Henry county, and that is the abundance of the Cooper’s Hawk. Mr. Bartsch has the abundance of the Sharp-. shinned succeeded by a scarcity of Cooper’s, and ‘‘’tis a poor rule that won’t work both ways.”’ (a EES ESS DEATH OF MRS. WALTERS. THE Angel of Death has entered our midst and taken one of our number. It is with sadness that we announce the death of Mrs. Gus Walters, an active member of the Iowa Ornithological Association. She died at her home at Cedar Falls, Iowa, on July 31st, 1897. Mrs. Walters was an ardent lover of birds and her skillful fingers often helped her husband while at his taxidermi- cal work. We believe she looked ‘‘Though Nature up to Nature’sGod.’’ She regarded this beautiful world as one of the numberless chambers in a Heavenly Father’s masion, from which death was but a door opening into larger and brighter rooms beyond. She has but gone on before. RESOLUTOINS. In view of the loss we have sustained by the decease of our friend and associate, Mrs. Gus Walters, and the still heaver loss sustained by those who . ’ Notes anD News. 63 were nearest. and dearest to her. THEREFORE—be it resolved that it is but a just pabnte to the memory of the departed to say that in regretting her removal from our midst, we but speak the sentiments of her friends and the Iowa Ornithological Association. RESOLVED—that we sincerely condole with the family of the deceased and commend them for consolation to Him who orders all things for the best. ReEsOLVvED—that this testimonial of our sympathy be forwarded to the friends of the departed through the columns of the Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. J. EUGENE Law, Mrs. M. A. TRIEM, Mrs. M. L. Ravn. NOTES AND NEWS. 10) Mr. Hiram Heaton of Glendale, Ia., made a pleasant call at the editorial den recently. The editor is always glad to entertain any of the ornithological brethren. On September 8rd, 1897, Mr. J. H. Brown, J. Eugene Law, Chas. R. Keyes and David L. Savage took supper at the hospitable home of George H. Burge, of Mt. Vernon, Iowa. There is no need to say the. hour was one of pleasure and profit. Mr. Burge has quite an extensive collection of bird’s eggs and mounted birds. Weare sorry to learn that the Nidologist, of Alameda, Cal., has been dis- continued. The May issue is the last published. The main features, however, will be regularly continued oe the same writers as a department of the Popular Science News. Mr. Ernest Irons of Council Bluffs writes that the Least Bittern is a common breeder in Pottawattamie county, building its platform of sticks and straws in the cat-tails and rushes along the margin of swampy lakes. The nests are generally placed a few inches above the water, although I have found some nests with eggs on dry ground near the margin of a lake. The eggs vary in number from three to seven. The usual number is four or five, When first hatched, the young are golden yellow and are covered with soft fluffy down, being, to my mind, prettier during the first three or four days of their existance than they ever are afterward, with the ee possibly of the rich coloring of the adult male. 64 Iowa ORNITHOLOGIsT, CLD” ttagerceng (ut pAwss ZEA FISD = ry | 4 SS wee 3 —S wy / omy PY LI Mi WO L ,. 0% ‘tga 4D = ‘ Z ie ip a4 New books and other publications will be reviewed in this department. Authors wishing publications reviewed should send them to the Editor, who will examine them personally and give them due consideration. ‘“‘Citizen Bird’’—Scences from bird life in plain english for beginners, by Mable Osgood Wright and Elliott Coues, with one hundred and fifteen illustra- tion by Louis Agassiz Fuertes. New York, The Macuillian company, 1897. Cloth, $1.50. ‘‘Citizen Bird’’ will do more toward protecting our feathered friends than any work that has yet appeared. It has no equal. Every home should contain a copy. | Grinnell’s ‘‘Report on the Birds of the Islands of Santa Barbara, San Nicolas and San Clements.’”’ A twenty-six page phamphlet, which is a report of the birds recorded during about a month’s exploration among the islands last spring (1897). The sixty species treated, are arranged in four seperate lists— the land birds observed in each of the islands and the water birds recorded during the entire trip. It is replete with interesting field notes. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Birds, Vol. 2, No. 3, September, 1897. Fern Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 3, July, 1897. Le Naturaliste Canadien, Vol. 24, Nos. 8-10, Aug.-Oct., 1897. Museum, Vol. 38, No. 10-12, Aug.-Oct., 1297. Oologist, Vol. 14, Nos. 7-10, July-Oct., 1987. Osprey, Vol. 1, No. 12, Vol. 2, No. 1, Aug.-Sept., 1897. Popular Science News, Vol. 31, Nos. 8-10, Aug.-Oct., 1897. ee : TREASURER’S REPORT. From Aug. I, ’96, to Jan. 1, ’97. O—— From Jan. 1, ’97, to Sept. 1, ’97. RECEIPTS. RECEIPTS. From members’ dues_____------- $6 00 From members’ dues____.-..--:$19 50 Subscriptions to I. O._....------- 5 60 ‘¢ subscriptions to I. O.__--- 11 30 ee Ae “© advertisements in I. O._-_- 50 Total. .---.------------- od Total receipts_______--- 31 30 EXPENDITURES. EXPENDITURES. To printing circulars__________. ® 1.00 ‘Lo-printing Jan. 1.0.2 222222222 $9 00 ee Ge Oe . 15 00 . ae I.0..-.--..---- eo To check-lists of N. A. birds____ 0 75 ee eee ae DO ASUS Pe re To printing circulars____________- 2 00 ostage for the Hd.-Treas. _-_-_-- 100 To postage for the Hd.-Treas.___- Bis | ; Total expenditures. ____ 17 75 Total expenditures____- 24 80 3 « receipts._________ 11 60 Receipts exceed expenditures... 6 50 E.. ee ; Deficiency since Aug.1. 615 BVe OF hand Sept. A 1897. __-__ $ 35 s Deficiency for previous year___. 86 45 P piensa abv ‘ ae? Total deficiency Sept. 1, ’97__ 36 10 ¥ PREMIUMS. Bs OFA to help along the good work. ae mae 4 The premium offered a year ago by the President of the I, O. A. was the means of bringing in such a number of subscriptions that we have desired ) make similar offers in the January, 1898, IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. We herefore, solicit contributions of material for the subscription contest, and ask to haye all sent to the Editor, to reach him by the first of December, so that a st can be made and prizes offered for a big contest in the January I. O. Some of the members have offered specimens valued at $15.00, others near that amount, and each member is urgently requested to send what they can (over) ASSESSMENT NOTICE. ——_90———_ At the last I. O. A. Congress held at Manchester, Iowa, September 1 Ist : to 4th, an assessment of One Dollar was levied on all active members. This assessment, as stated in the motion, was to be made by the chairman of the Finance Committee and to be paid by November Ist. ee Upon inquiry I find that the members present at the Mandhestes Congress were in favor of the assessment. I therefore ask every active member to promptly remit the One Dollar assessment. a I would also suggest that every member back in dues remit the agnount at once so that our Association may enter upon the new year on a sound finantial basis and out of debt. | Now is our chance. Let every memb é work hard for the advancement of an Association of which every Tow: a Ornithologist ought to be proud. Mics CARL FRITZ HENNING, (OVER) Chairman, Finance Committee. o "Gant NY CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.... OF THE »: ++ IOWA ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. ADGPTED DEG. 1,1895, AMENDED SEPT.3,1897. . CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE I—WName and Object. SECTION 1.—This Organization shall be known as the Iowa Ornitholog- ical Association. SECTION 2.—Its object shall be to promote a more thorough study of the birds of our state, thus awakening a truer love for them and enabling the members to ‘‘Look through nature up to Nature's God.” ARTICLE fone and. Committees. - SECTION 1.—The Officers and Committees of this Association shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Editor-Treasurer, Advertising Manager, an Executive Council of three (3) members and +a Finance Comunittee of three (3) members. SECTION 2.---No member shall hold more than one office at one time. ARTICLE IV --Duties of Officers. SECTION 1.--Duties of the President: The President shall be the official head of the Association and it shall be his duty to preside at any of the meetings; to enforce a due observance of the Constitution and By Laws; and to perform such other duties as may pertain to this office. SECTION 2.—Duties of the Vice-President: It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to perform the duties of the President in case of his being absent or otherwise engaged. SECTION 3 —-Duties of the Secretary; Itshall be the duty of the Sec- retary to conduct the correspondence of the Association; to keep a record of its members and officers; and to notify persons of their election to membership and wembers of their election to office. SECTION 4.—Duties of the Editor-Treasurer: This officer shail be Edi- tor-in-Chief of the Official Organ and shall have power with the consent of the Finance Committee to purchase such supplies as shall be needed in its publication. He shall receive and have charge of all moneys belonging to the Association and shall pay such bills as are approved and endorsed by the Finance Committee. Heshall publish and send with each issue of the Official Organ, a report of all receipts and expenditures made by him during the preceding quarter. SECTION 5.—Duties of the Executive Council: They shall ballot on the names of all candidates for membership and a two-thirds vote of the Council shall be required to elect a candidate. The Chairman of the Executive Council shall notify the Secretary of all persons elected to membership. The Council shall furnish for publication in each issue of the Official Organ a report of their proceedings. In all cases not other- wise provided for the Executive Council shall have supreme power, pro- vided, that when their vote is not unanimous, the vote of the President of the Association shall decide. ARTICLE V—Election of Officers. SECTION 1.—The election of Officers and Committees shall be held an- nually at the annual meeting. . a a SECTION 2.—The Officers of the Association shall be nominated and elected by a majority ballot of the active members voting, and shall be chosen from among the active members. ARTICLE VI—Saluries of Officers. SECTION 1. The Officers of the Iowa Ornithological Association shall receive no salary, but each officer shall be allowed the actual amount expended by him for the purchase of stationery, postage, etc., used by him for the Association. ARTICLE VII—The Official Organ. SECTION 1.—The Official Organ shall be a quarterly journal, known as the ‘‘Iowa Ornithologist.” SECTION 2.—I¢ shall contain the report of the officers together with such notes and special articles as the Editor-in-Chief and his assistants may decide upon. ARTICLE VUI—Meelings. SECTION 1.—An Annual Meeting shall be held at such time and place a3 amoujority of the active members voting may decide upon. ARTICLE IX-- Motions. SECTON 1.—Any active member shall have the right to submit any mo- tion to a vote of the Association. The motion must be seconded by an active member. ARTICLE X— Voting by Proxy. SECTION 1.—All active members not present at the annual meeting may be represented by proxy. ARTICLE XI—Amendments. SECTION 1.—An Amendment to this Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the active members voting. SECTION 2.—All proposed amendments, except those proposed at the regular annual meeting, shall be published in the Official Organ, and balloting upon such amendment shall not take place for at least thirty (30) days after publication. BY-LAWS. SECTION 1.—Each active member shall be required to send to the Hii- tor, or to such person as he miy direct, any notes he may have upon the families which are under special consideration in the succeeding issue of the Official Organ. SECTION 2.---Associate members may furnish notes on the families if they so desire and both active and associate members are requested to furnish from time to time such special articles of interest as their work and observation may provide them with. SECTION 3.—Names of candidates for membership may be proposed by active or associate members and such proposal should be accompanied by such recommendations of the proposed candidate as the proposer may have in his possession, and shall be forwarded to the Chairman of the Executive Committee. SECTION 4.—The President shall have the power to appoint a commit- tee of three (3) active members to assist the Editor-in Chief. SECTION 5.—The candidate for Executive Councilman, who shall re- ceive the largest number of electing ballots shall be the Chairman of the Executive Council. ; SECTION 6.—In case two candidates for the same office shall receive the same numbet1 of electing ballots that one who received the highest number of nominating ballots shail be declared elected. SECTION 7.—The membership fees of active members shall be fifty (50) cents. This shall cover all dues to the first of January after initiation. SECTION 8.—The annual dues of active members shall be one dollar ($1.00) payable January first of each year. The annual dues of Associate members shall be forty (40) cents. SECTION 9.—The Iowa Ornithologist shall be sent free to all members of the Iowa Ornithological Association. SECTION 10.—The Constitution of this Association shall be kept by the Secretary. Each member of the Association shall be entitled to copies free of charge. SECTION 11.—All papers presented at the Annual meetings shall be- come the property of the Association and shall be filed with the Editor- Treasurer. ) SECTION 12. The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the active members voting. SECTION 13.—The members of the Association shall be of four classes: Honorary, Active, Associate and Corresponding. SECTION 14.—Honorary Members: Honorary members shall be elected for their eminence 1n ornithology, 7 SECTION 15.—Active Members; Any person residing in the State of Iowa may become an active member after having been elected. Active members only shall have the right to vote. SECTION 16.—Associate members: Any person interested in ornithol-— ogy may become an Associate member after having been elected. “ UdIT, PUD YOO 7 Che Psychic Dature of Bird Song. - BY MORTON E. PECK. Paper read before the Third Congress of the I. O. A. xe t of their songs and the articulate sounds which they produce. The mis- take is easily accounted for. A degree of similarity existing between their. notes and the human voice and some musical instrument, when producing sounds expressive of certain mental states. has lead men in all times, fol- | lowing an aesthetic rather than scientific impulse, to fancy them indica- tive of the same feelings as those which inspire spontaneous human song. A glance at the position occupied by birds in the vertebrate series and the examination of a few facts regarding their vocal expression will be suffi- cient to show how improbable it is that these are the outcome of any very complex psychic phenomena. _ The natural position of birds is between the Reptilia and Mammalia. In the circulatory and respiratory system, including bodily temperature, they are much nearer the mammals; but on the other hand their organs of reproduction closely resemble those of the reptiles, and what. is still more important in the present instance they have the lissencephalous rep- tilian brain. It is clear therefore that their mental faculties must be far _ below those of the quadrupeds, and will not pass far beyond the line of protective and reproductive instincts. The songs and cries of birds are very generally supposed to indicate grief, joy, love, hate, anger, triumph, regret, and many other feelings of a more or less complex character. Itis during the mating season that their vocal powers are exercised to their fullest, and hence the songs, no- tably of passrine birds, are supposed to express sentiments of joy and af- fection. Several facts may be cited which will show the improbability of such a theory. In the first place why should not the song continue till after the young are hatched, at which period paternal pride and affection would naturally be the strongest, instead of gradually ceasing as incuba- tion advances? Again, if a nest is broken up and replaced by another, there is another reason of song, though no new mating, nor have we rea- son to think there is any special revival of joy or affection. And further, many song birds, some of which utter a great variety of cries will sing under the stress of any very strong excitement. I haye observed a Batbird that had accidentally made its way into a room full of people singing with the accompaniment of a piano, after vainly seeking a way of escape, break into song, and continue singing for some time in a perfectly normal tone /¥' all the errors regarding the habits and natures of birds, none is > more prevalent than the total misconception of the real character 2 and key. Many of the Vireos. conspicuously the White-eyed, ‘‘sing’’ their regular song as an alarm-cry when the nest is approached. Of course all those birds that have but a single cry may utter this on occa- sion of excitement of any kind. It does not seem likely therefore that the songs of birds during the mating season indicate any such purely psy- chical phenomenon as affection or joy, that is, of a rational or mental character. In fact, the excitement that calls forth the song at this time is in a large measure physical. During the mating period the bird is phy- sically more active than at any other season of the year. This activity is manifested in various ways—by superior energy of movement, great pug- nacity, perfection of coloration, and chiefly by sexual excitement ; on their last in fact, the other manifestations of activity are more or less depend- — ent, and it is to this also that the song is due. The reproductive instincts. are now predominant and their natural expression is largely through the vocal organs. No doubt the song of the male bird is attractive to the fe-. male in proportion to its perfection ; not however from any aesthetic sense on her part, but only as it indicates physical vigor. It is one of the finer properties of her reproductive instinct to choose the most vigorous male as the parent of her offspring. Furthermore, this theory, that the song in the mating season is coaiele the expression of sexual activity readily accounts for the fact that a se-_ cond period of song precedes the deposition of a second set of eggs, whether the species normally rears two broods in a season, or the first set of eggs is destroyed and is replaced by a second. In either case sexual excitement is renewed, though, as we would naturally expect, to a less de- gree than at first, and the song is proportionately feebler and its period of continuation shorter. It is well known that many species of birds will remain inactive for a longer or shorter period after a nest has been broken up, uttering peculiar and often plaintive cries, which are usually supposed to be expressions of grief or regret over the loss. It is noticable however that these cries are usually the same as those emitted when an individual has become bewil- dered or lost during the migrating season, or is accidentally separated from the flock if the species is gregarious. The cause in both cases is doubtless much the same, and, though psychic in its nature is of alow — and simple psychic order. Itismerely that an instinct has been inter- | rupted in its operation, the bird is at aloss what course to follow, anda, species of mental »xcitement ensues which must find some vocal expres- sion and which continues till the normal order of things is resumed. In the one case it isthe migratory or gregarious instinct that has been inter- rupted, in the other the reproductive. . The sharp cries uttered by small birds on perceiving an individual of some perdatory species do not indicate any such complex psychic phe- "TT eee on 3 nomenon as hatred ; they are either manifestatious of fear, a much sim- pler form of mental activity, or_ are alarm-cries, , uttered for the purpose of calling others to the rescue; that is, ., they are ¢ dependent on a rudimentary reasoning faculty, which is but a slight advance on instinct and grows out of it. That a fixed animosity does not exist in birds is plainly shown by the fact that species hostile to small birds during the breeding season on- ly, such as Crows and Jays, dwell with them in comparative peace during the rest of the year, however great the aversion manifested while the eggs and young are in the nest. Raptorial birds are of course always re- garded as natural enemies, but, judging from the analogy of the former case, it seems probable that they are only held in fear which has grown instinctive. From the facts above given, and from many others of a like nature that might easily pe presented, it seems hardly reasonable to suppose that the songs of birds have any more psychical significance than many other phe- nomena which they manifest. As before indicated it is easy to imagine that the endless variety of notes which they produce might be, judged by a human standard, expressive of an indefinite number of moods of mind. It seems, however, to be a general law among vertebrates, excluding man, that the yocal powers are developed, not according to the position occu- pied in the whole series, but according to the mean degree of physical ac- tivity attained. Though there are exceptions to this, they are not suffi- ciently numerous to destroy its force asa law. Birds are by far the most active of all vertebrates. Metabolism and catabolism reach in them their climax, the bodily temperature is higher than in any Other class ; the vital functions are performed with greater rapidity, and hence the vocal pow- ers reach a higher stage of development. The same law holds within the class as in the whole vertebrate division. For example, the Vultures and Herons, which are comparatively sluggish, have very limited voice powers or none, while the Sparrow and Finch family, which are among the most active of birds, are unsurpassed in the gift of song. The subject will doubtless admit of infinite research, and presents op- portunities for many interesting discoveries. I have here presented, but in a very brief and general way what seems to me the most natural, and iu fact the only reasonable theory regarding it, u re < c N t ® ( \ CH Che Psythic Nature of Bird Song. BY MRS. MARY L. RANN. Paper read before the Third Congress of the I. O. A. AT isa question if Mr. Peck takes himself seriously in ‘‘The Psychic °,nature of bird song,’’ or expects others to, as his closing paragrapn contains the following: ‘‘The subject will doubtless admit of infinite”’ re- search and present opportunities for many interesting discoveries, I therefore beg leave to present a few thoughts on the other side. We must first admit that from the elusiveness of the subjects, that no standpoint, either scientific or not scientific, is likely to settle the varying opinions en- tertained. Mr. Peck feels his way carefully, though taking a scientific standpoint, admitting thereby that science has its limitations. Itis quite probable that the unfortunate classification of birds may have swaged his mind, for who could endorse a bird with soul qualities under the reptilian stigma? Weare told by Leonherd Stijneger that the classification of birds between the reptiles and the mammals, does not indicate any inter- mediate position in nature, but is simply due to our inability of express- ing their exact position on a flat sheet of paper, but from this classified position they are far removed from the ancestral stock. Now common ~ sense would say we had better give them the exact position due them as far and away removed from either reptiles and mammals. When we see birds bribe a snake by punching out its eyes and stand guard till it is dead, we are convinced there is an enmity between their ancestry and their present position in evidence for our instruction at least. We think of birds and their endowments as the most wonderful in animal life. The dullest clod is not insensible to their songs. It strikes the soul of the lis- tener with psychic force, as coming from and to that invisable realm which is the actual and real within us. There is rythmic humming akin to human song. Why does a bird not express joy, gladness and even exta- cy of soul emotions, asin man? Luckily for us who believe that it does, cold science cannot prove that itis no more than automatic overflow from some psychical excitement. Wesay a bird expresses joy when lt sings because it sings, and it is my observation that few birds sing under an ap- parently excited condition. We might say as much perhaps of the Wren, but of ordinary birds we often see extreme deliberation. The meadow lark rises to a fence post, presses his feathers and when the spirit moves, sings. So withthe Brown Thrush, and one’s patience is sometimes tried before he begins, even in nesting time. The Lark Buntings feed and sing through the fields, while the Prairie Lark sings, like the Wren, 2) with a good deal of fuss on feathers without any well defined cause. I should say in the instance of the Catbird singing, in Mr. Peck’s paper, that it sang from pure expression of enjoyment in the music. The simi- larity in the evidences of kindred endowments in birds and the human species gives us a human interpretation. We have covered a great field with the word instinct to account for that which is not easy to explain, and made it stand for something inferior to reason in the mind of the ‘thinker. So we cover bird life with its architectural display of reasoning faculties, its knowledge of the points of the compass, its unerring migra- tory courses, its time of coming and going at certain dates, with even its knowledge of unvarying notes ina scale, as instinctive. We might say that, if they were blind and deaf. They show us in all these things that we read them with closed understandings, or not at all. When my birds arrive in the spring, a half dozen varieties reaching the grounds in the night, and I go out to find in some instances, all singing at the same time I may be mistaken but it seems like a song of thanksgiving whether it is | really so or not. I must differ with Mr. Peck also in the length of time that birds sing. The air is full of bird song in the morning and on sunny days in March—many birds having arrived early in the month. Nesting time is a long way off, and if one is afield in August and September, the song sparrow announces himself as emphatically as in the early spring. ‘Meadow larks sing after they have gathered in flocks for migration. and so with blue birds. In March the Juncos will fill a tree and all sing at a time, and Canadian tree sparrows can be heard on the sunny side of a mill any day in the winter, if itis not too cold. But the subject is inter- minable and will not admit of much argument in a short paper. It would appear as if the question of where the voiceis situated in a bird’s throat cannot be definitely settled by evidence. What chance has it through research in solving the problem of why a bird sings? It is self evident that we cannot interpret from any fixed standard, and the psy- chic point of view is as tenable as any other. There is no doubt that the different cries and sounds from birds, all have their meaning and express alarm, fear, pain and even hate. Birds may dwell together in peace, but they congregate with their own species, and do not take to mixed com- munities. They are necessarily mixed in nesting time, when a truce ap- pears to be held for business purposes. “The Chird Annual Congress of the Towa Ornithological Association. 3 MANCHESTER, IOWA, SEPT. 1, 2, 3, 1897. FIRST SESSION. The first session of the Iowa Ornithological Association was called to order on the afternoon of the first day of September with Pres. J. H; Brown in the chair. 3 Thursday evening, Sept. 2, was decided upon as the meeting to which the public should be especially invited. Four papers of a not too techni- cal nature were selected for the occasion. Two papers, ‘‘One Small Piece - of Ground’’ by Mr. Burtis H. Wilson, of Rock Island, and ‘‘The Summer Birds of the Oneota Valley’’ by Mr. Paul Bartsch, of Washington, D. C., were read, both calling forth a long and interesting discussion by all pres- ent. nus SECOND SESSION. For the second session it was decided to drive out to the Fisheries, a few miles out of Manchester, and there listen to the reading of papers. One paver, ‘‘The Psychic Nature of Bird Song,’’ by Mr, M. E. Peck, was read, A very warm discussion, led by Mrs. Mary Rann, ensued. The paper presented a very fruitful field for thought. THIRD SESSION. ‘-What Can the Members do to aid the Association ?’’ - ES eee - - - - - | H.J. Giddings, Sabula, Iowa. ‘‘Notes on the Inter-breeding of the Red-shafted and the Yellow-shafted t Flickers.”’ E 2 a E. E. Irons, Council Bluffs. “Summer Haunts of the Swamp Sparrows,”’ J. Eugene Law, Perry: “Summer Birds’’ - = Hiram Heaton, Glendale. “‘A Talk on the Manchester Agassiz Association’”’ Mrs. M. A. Triem. Several new arrivals at the Convention also added a new interest to to the discussions. FOURTH SESSION. At the opening session the following papers were presented : ‘Through Naturalist’s Eyes,”’ - . - D.L. Savage “‘Bird Notes,’’ - = 3 - W. W. Loomis “On the Probable Occurence of Fossil Birds in Iowa,’’ Wilmon Newell “The Practical Side of the Ornitholoyist’s Work.”’ J. H. Brown *Through the carelessness of our former printer these minutes were omitted from ; the October, 1897 lowa Ornithologist, when they should have been published. a i Considerable interest was shown by the visitors present and a pleas- ant as well as profitable evening was spent by all. a aaa FIFTH SESSION. For the place of holding the fifth session, Mossy Glen, a most delight- ful as well as magnificent spot, was chosen. It is situated about fifteen miles directly north of Manchester, in Clayton county. This gully, one of the feeders of the Volga river, for it abounds in springs, opens to the north, and on either side at a distance of fifty yards or less apart perpendicular walls of rock rise to the height of from fifty to seventy-five feet, while at the upper end of the glen the washing out of the springs has produced a huge overhanging wall which protects a large amphitheater, not only from the noon day sun but from any direct rays whatever. “ In this spot, on one of the hottest days of the summer, the members of the I. O. Association, scattered about and perched on Nature’s stools in cool comfort, and with a projecting ledge for the President’s chair, held a business meeting so intensely interesting that it was only aroused to a knowledge of the outer world late in the afternocn by a large Turkey Vul- ture, which after peering about several nooks and out-hanging rocks, fin- ally settled on a large stub, which protruded from the rocks, directly over the heads of the members.* : BUSINESS MEETING. The members present spent considerable time discussing the birds comprised in the annotated list now in the course of preparation. It was determined that an appeal be made to all members for a thorough study, with an eye to the differentiation of the eastern and the western varieties and the relative and actual abundance of the following: Red-tail, Great- horned Owl, Night Hawk, Meadow Lark, Grasshopper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Maryland Yellowthroat, Robin, Blue Bird; a special study of the varieties occuring within the state of: Grebes, Loons, Gulls, Terns, Sandpipers, Arctic Woodpeckers, Horned Lark, Whipporwill, Longspurs, Redpolls, Juncos, Vireos, Waterthrushes, Chick- adees, Wrens, Thrushes; the possible occurence of Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Burrowing Owl, Summer Tanager, Barn Owl; the possible nesting of Franklins’s Gull, Solitary Sandpiper ; relative abundance of Traill’s Flyoatcher, and Little. and Acadian Fly- catchers, Least and Baird’s Sandpipers, King Rail and Florida Gallinule, Sora and Virginia Rails; notes on the occurence of Harris’s Sparrow, Sa- vana Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow. " *Several large views of the glen with members of the assuciation scattered about on the rocks were taken, and the pictures (5x7) may be procured for fifty cents each By aaniy ie to Mr. Wilmon Newell, Ames, lowa. The proceeds to go to the treasury (0) eI. O. A. i & The report of the Treasurer was then read and accepted. It was resolved, ‘‘That an assessment of one dollar each on all the mem- bers be made to settle the debt of the Association.’’ The Association has been holding its own for the past year and when the back debt is lifted it will be self supporting, It was resolved, ‘‘That the printing of the official organ be let to Mr. C. C. Tyron, of Avoca at nine dollars an issue.”’ A commiteee, consisting of Mrs. Rann, Mrs. Triem and Mr. Newell, was appointed to decide on a more suitable color for the cover of the offi- cial organ. eS It was resolved, ‘‘That the Committee on Annotation sub-divide the A.O U. list among themselves, each taking a portion and devoting him- self to the families included in that portion.”’ Pi) It was resolved, ‘‘That department heads be elected to do special work in the following branches: Migration and General Distribution ; Economic Importance and Food Habits ; Nidification ; Seasonal Variation in Food, Plumage, and Habits.’’ SIXTH SESSION. Adjourned Business Meeting, Sept. 4, 6:00 a. m. There was a long discussion as to admitting members from outside the state to active membership. It was resolved, ‘‘That Art. II. be removed from the Constitution and be made part of the By-Laws.’’ It was resolved, ‘‘That Section I. of this clause be amended so that. the word ‘‘three’’ shall be struck out and ‘‘four’’ inserted in its place, and the words ‘‘and Corresponding Members”’ be added.” It was resolved, ‘‘That the By-Laws be temporarily waived ‘and Mr. Lynds Jones of Oberlin, Ohio, and Mr. Burtis H. Wilson, of Rock Island, Ill. be admitted to Active Membership.’’ The Congress then proceeded to the election of officers. They were elected as follows: _ OFFICERS :—President—J. H. Brown, Maqoketa, Iowa. Vice-President—Mrs. M. A. Triem, Manchester, Iowa. Secretary—J. Eugene Law, Perry, Iowa. Editor-Treasurer—D. L. Savage, Salem, Iowa. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL :—Wilmon Newell, Ames, Iowa, Chairman. Carleton R. Ball, Ames, Iowa. W. W. Loomis, Clermont, Iowa. FINANCE ComMitTEE :—Carl Fritz Henning, Boone, Iowa, Chairman. Geo. H. Burge, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. H. J. Giddings, Sabula, Iowa. ax LER Ui ges Se C—O a ef BAO] ‘sauy ‘989][0D aqv}S EMO] ‘Kaeaqyy Isa]0D RIA PRI OD any RINNE ee a BMO] ‘SAaWIY ‘aBa][OD 23¥}IS LMOT ‘Kavagry a8a1oD ow eeentons MPTP OP ONG EAN DIT ED 9 DEPARTMENT HEADS :—Migration—Carl Fritz Henning, Boone, Iowa. Nidification—J. H. Brown, Davenport, Iowa. Economic Study— Wilmon Newell, Ames, Iowa. Seasonal Variation—Paul Bartsch, Washington, D. C. It was resolved, -‘That the Secretary, as Chairman, with two others, draw up resolutions on the death of Mrs. Gus Walters, to be printed in the I. O., and in the minutes of this meeting, and a copy of the resolution be sent to the local paper at her home and to the relatives of Mrs. Wal- ters.” ‘It was resolved, ‘‘That the Agassiz Association and others of Manches- ter who haye helped to make the Congress a success be tendered a vote of thanks for their kind entertainment and hearty co-operation.” ~ It was resolved, “That Ames te the next place of annual meeting and that it be held during the third week of August, 1898.”’ Tt was resolved, ‘‘That a Chairman of a Program Committee be selected and he be given power to choose his assistants. This Committee to see in ample time that an extensive program be selected for the next Congress.”’ Mr. D. L. Savage was selected as the Chairman of this Committee.”’ It was resolved, ‘‘That Art. III. Sec. 1. of the Constitution be so amend- _ ed as to include an Advertising Manager as one of the officers of the As- sociation.”’ It was also resolved, ‘That Art. IV. Sec. 6 be made to read: The duties of the Advertising Manager shall be to promote the Commercial Interests of the Official Organ.”’ The Secret ary was instructed {o cast the unanimous vote of the Associa- tion for Mr. C. C. Tryon of Avoca for this office. The Association held a long discussion on the methods of bringing our wor« before the people. It was resolved, ‘‘That two Committees be appointed, one to get upa popular lecture suitable for presentation to High Schools, the other to get up one suitable for presentation before the meetings of the Farmer's Al- lianece.”’ The plan, though not quite ripe as yet, is to have these lectures on hand in presentable shape and hold them ready to send to any of the members who see a chance for presenting them. For the first above named committee Mrs. M. A. Triem and Mr. J. H. Brown, were selected. For the second, Mr. D.L. Savage, Mr. Geo. H. Burge, and Mr. Hiram Heaton. The congress then adjourned to meet the third week in August, 1898, at Ames, Iowa. J. EUGENE LAW, Secretary. IO Economic Study. In compiling the work on fowa Birds, a study of the economic phase of Ornithology and especially of Iowa Ornithology, is esseutial. With this end in view therefore every active member is solicited to preserve the stomach, with contents, of every bird collected by him, regardless of sea- son or species. The stomachs should be preserved in ordinary or wood al- cohol, 90 per cent solution, or in a 2 per cent solution of formic aldehyde. The alcohol is to be preferred. } Each stomach should have attached to ita label written in India ink or lead pencil. This label should correspond to numbered data recording the locality, date. name.of bird, sex, character of place collected, and time of day, together with any remarks that may prove of use. Identification whenever doubtful should be made certain by saying the skin and num- bering it tocorrespond to the stomach. The skin can then be sent in with the stomachs and after identification will be returned to the owner. The Association will co-cperate with the Biological Survey, U.S. Dept. of Agr. in this work. Itis hoped that every member of the I. O. will es take an active part in = work, and do as much as possible, adding .& “thereby both to the reputation of our Asscciation and to the value of its subsequent publications. Those who are prepared to enter into active work from now on, and those wishing further information are requested to correspond immediate- ly with the Chief of Economic Dept., Wilmon Newell, Agricultural Col- : lege, Ames, Iowa. : 1 A all to Duty. At the Third Congress of the Iowa Ornithological Association held at Manchester, Iowa, Sept. 4, 1897, our Association decided to appoint de- partment heads to take up special work and aid the Annotation Commit- tee—these heads to take up four branches, as follows: Economic Study, Nidification. Seasonable Changes, and Migration, of the last of which I had the honor of being chosen Chief. J. Eugene Law, Secretary of our Association writes, that regarding mi- . gration, the plan is to make a special study of the routes chosen by the birds through Iowa—also a study of Bird Waves. oIn the winter of 1881-2 Prof. W. W. Cooke, attempted to secure the as- sistance of the ornithologists of Iowa in studying the migration of birds— changing his rcsidence from Iowa to Minn., necessitated a mcdification of Lif. the original scheme, and it was decided to increase the size of the original area to include the whole Mississippi Valley. In 1888 the U. 8. Dept. of Agr., Division of Economic Ornithology, pub-: lished Bulletin No. 2, W. W. Cooke’s ‘‘Report on Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley for the years 1884-5.” Since then no attempt has been made to my knowledge to gather mater- ial for a report on bird migration in Iowa. Our Association has taken up the work and as Chief of this interesting branch of the study, I earnestly ask the hearty co-operation of every mem- ber of the I. O. A. Without your aid, there can be no success. Let us go to work in earnest—let us put down our daily records full and complete, and then when our notes are published in connection with the ‘Birds of Iowa,’’ each individual member of the Association will have reason to feel proud of the work so cheerfully done. Get ready for the spring migration—due credit willbe given in the forthcoming report to every one contributing to its success. Yours in the work, CarRL Fritz HENNING, Chief Migration Department. Boone, Iowa. Bird Migration in Towa, Instructions to Zollaborators. | The department particularly desires from Gach observer a brief but careful description of the principle physical features, including latitude, longitude and altitude of the locality which is the seat of observations. The data collected may be arranged conveniently in three general class- es: a. Ornithological Phenomena; b. Meteorological Phenomena; c. Contemporary and Correlative Phenomena. ad. ORNITHOLOGICAL PHENOMENA. Each observer is requested to prepare, at his earliest convenience, a complete list of the birds known to occurin the vicinity of his station, and to indicate (by the abbreviations inclosed in parentheses) to which of the following five categories each species pertains : 1. Permanent Residents, or those that are found regularly throughout the year. (R.) 2. Winter Visitants, or those that occur only during the winter season, passing north in the spring (WY). 3. Transient Visitants, or those that occur only during the migrations, in spring and fall (TV). 4. Summer Residents, or those that are known to breed, but which: de- part southward before winter (SR). fees 5. Accidental Visitants, or stragglers from remote districts (AV). It is desirable also to indicate the relative abundance of the different species, the terms to be employed for this purpose being: Abundant, Com- mon, Tolerably Common, Rare. If you are in a position to observe the lines of flight of birds, have you noticed whether or not such lines are influenced by the topography of the country. and if so, to what extent? : If a mountain intercepts the line of flight, what kinds of birds pass around it, and what kinds pass over it? What localities in your neighborhood are sought as resting-places by the various kinds of migrating birds? Can you give any reason for this selection ? What kinds of birds generally move in flocks, and what kinds in pairs “or singly? Are you familiar with any kinds of birds in which themales and fe- males, and oldand young, fly in senarate flocks? In many species the males arrive in advance of the females, hence it is important to note the sex of the first comers, and the date at which the opposite sex is first seen. Have you observed from year to year any increase or decrease in the numbers of any kind of bird known to you? If so, do you attribute such change to altered conditions in the bird’s breeding grounds? If not, can you assign a cause? = Have you observed the increase cr decrease of one species to affect the numbers of another species. If so, can you explain the fact? Has any kind disappeared altogether, and if so, can you assign acause for this disappearance ? Among the birds which are now common about your station is there any kind that was formerly rare or absent? If so, can you explain the fact? Among the birds which breed regularly in your vicinity have you ever observed an individual which by som? personal peculiarity (such as the presence of white or dark feathers where they do not belong, or by some deformity) could readily be distinguished from others of itskind? If so, has this bird returned to the same place to nest year after year? In recording arrivals and departures it is highly important to distin- guish the movements of irregular stragglers, of the advance guard or ‘‘van,’’ and of the principal mass or ‘‘bulk’’ of the species. For this pur- pose observers are requested to note: 1. When the species is first seen. 2. When it is next seen. T3 3. When it becomes common. 4. When the bulk departs. 5. When the last individual is seen. In addition to the above data, which all observers are requested to fur- nish, the Department particularly desires exact records of every increase and decrease in the numbers of a given species over a given area; for it is only by the knowledge of the daily fluctations of the same species in the same place that the progress and movements of a ‘‘flight,” or “‘bird- wave,’ can be traced. Such data can becontributed by experienced ob- servers only, and in their procurement much time must be spent in the field. During the progress of the migratory movement the observer should go over the same ground day after day, and, if possible, both early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Heshould visit woodlands, thickets of dense undergrowth, and open fields; and if possible, both swamp and upland should fall under his daily serutiny. The above may be regarded as essential data. There are many other noteworthy details that bear more or less directly upon the complicated problems involved in the study of migration. Among such may be men- tioned the bodily condition of the bird (whether fat or lean), the molut, and the periods of song. The time of mating, when observed, should al- ways be recorded. . (b) Meteorological Phenomena. Information is desired upon : 1. The direction and force of the wind. 2. The direction, character, and duration of storms. 3. The general conditions of the atmosphere, including rainfall. 4. The succession of marked warm and cold waves, including a record of all sudden changes of temperature. (c) Contemporary and Correlative Phenomena. -The Department desires that the data under this head be as full and complete as possible, and requests exact information upon : 1. The date at which the first toad is seen. 2. The date at which the first frog is heard. 3. The date at which the first tree-toad or ‘‘peeper’’ is heard. 4. The dates at which certain mammals and reptiles enter upon and emerge from the state of hibernation. 5. The dates at which various insects are first seen. 6. The dates of the flowering of various plants. 7. The dates of the leafing and the falling of the leaves of various trees and shrubs. 8. The dates of the breaking up and disappearance of ice in rivers and lakes in spring, and of the freezing over of the same in the fall. CarL FRITZ HENNING, Chief of Migration Dep’t. 922 Highth St. Boone, Iowa. 14 Notes and News. if Owing to the illness of the editor, Mr. Sayage, the publication of the January issue has been delayed. The publication of that issue has been placed in the hands of the undersigned and matters have been pushed with the greatest possible speed. Mr. Savage cannot inany way be blamed for the delay—on the contrary he deserves the sincere thanks of © the Association for the earnest efforts he has made, and for the amount he has accomplished, working as he has been, under so many difficulties. Thanks are also due to Hodson Bros., printers, for their alactricity and neatness in printing the present issue. Weare also under obligations to Prof. C. R. Ball, of Ames, for much valuable assistance. We can assure our subscribers and fellow members that arrangements will soon be completed whereby future issues will appear on time. CARL FRITZ HENNING, WiLMon NEWELL, Chairman Finance Com. Chairman Ex. Council. Boone, Iowa, Feb. 26, 1898. One of the most attractive exhibits in the Louisiana section of the His- tory Building at the Tennessee Centennial Exposition was the original painting of the wild turkey, by Audubon and Bachman. The bird was killed on a Louisiana plantation and taken to the home of Col. Percy Smith, where it was painted by Bachman. At the time of the purchase of the painting the Smithsonian Institute offered $4000 for it. The colors are still as fresh and bright as when first painted . Chief Henning of the Migration Department, writes the editor that if necessary he will ask active members Coleman and Andrews of his city to assist him in compiling the spring migration reports if they come in too fast, and if worse comes to worse, he will call on brother Newell of the Agricultural College at Ames. to help him out. Let us flood him with notes on the spring movements of our beloved birds and make him keep his word. Since our last issue the following persons have been admitted to active membership: Miss Charlotte M. King, Ames; Messrs. B. B. Hill, Ames; | Fred O. Schmidt, Boone. Let the good work go on. The Ornithological Museum of the Agricultural College at Ames, has : recently undergone a complete rearrangement, now making this exten- sive collection readily accessible to both general and scientific students as well as to the general public. It is well worth a visit. Do not forget to have in mind a suitable subject for an exhaustive paper to be read at the next annual meeting of our Association, at Ames in An- gust. Though early yet, we should make ample and thorough prepara- tion. This will probably be the greatest and most successful of any meet- ing thus far held in the history of the Association. a le ae ee Cp LY Mitgpeper sy A rit ( t ZZ Se |! iM ae ISS Ds Zz EE = E= HIE LBZ “zz LE Via LY wwe (d WU trun. New Ecoks and other publications will be reviewed in this department. Authors wishing publications reviewed should sene them tothe Editor who will examine them personally and give them due consideration. “Bird Life,”’ a guide to the study of owr common pirds, by Frank M. Chapman, with seventy-five full page plates and numerous {ext draw- ings, by Ernest Seton Thompson. New York, D. Appleton & Co. 1897. “Bird Life’ is indeed a guide to the study of our ccmmon birds, for any one who is fortunate enough to be the owner of this valuable work, by Mr. Frank M. Chapman. The opening chanters are: I The Bird, Its place in Nature and Relation to Man. JI The Living Bird. I{f Colors of Birds. 1Y The Migration of Birds. V The Voice of Birds. VI The Nesting Season. VII How to Identify Rirds, and a field key to our common land birds. About two-thirds of the vol- ume is taken up with ably written biographies of “our common birds.” The 75 full page plates of birds and the numerous drawings are by our well known ornithologist and artist Ernest Seton Thompson. Mr. Chap- man and the publishers are to be congratulated on securing the services of this most excellent artist of our feathered friends. CAO 1 BL. Gleanings from Nature. No.1. ‘Some Oological Abnormalities,’ by J. Warren Jacobs, will be out in a few weeks—not later- than Feb. 15th. Among the descriptions of freak sets will be found two sets from Jasper County, Iowa, namely, Prairie Horned Lark and Yellow Warbler. SSID). Li; (Sho? “How to know the Ducks. Geese and Swans of North America,’’ by Chas. B. Cory. Boston. Little, Brown & Co. 1897: How to know the ducks, geese aud swans need not puzzle any one who has a copy of this most excellent work by Charles B. Cory, all the species being grouped according to size and color. The work is intended to meet the wants of a large number of persons who are interested in birds and would like to know thcir names but often find it no easy task to identify them by the ‘‘bird books.”’ It is of especial value to the sportsman. The ‘‘How to know the Shore Birds (Limicolae) of North Amenica,’’? by Charles B. Cory. Boston. Little, Brown & Co. 1897. Chas. B. Cory’s new work. ‘‘How to know the Shore Birds’’ is as valu- able for the working ornithologist as it is for the sportsman and should find a place in the library beside its companion book, ‘How to know the Ducks, Geese, and Swaus.’”’ by the same author. Mr. Cory gives a good 16 Si description of the Limicolae of North America (south of Greenland and Alaska) and groups all the species eccording to size and color. The illus- trations are by Mr. Edward Knobel. i @ feel thre & ‘“‘Chapters on the Natural History of the United States’? by R. W. Shu- feldt M. D., Captain, Medical Department, U.S. Army (Retired). Asso- ciate in Zoology, Smithsonian Institution. Studer Erothers, publishers. 156 Fifth Ave. New York. Issued under the auspicies of the Natural Science Association of America. New York, U.S. A. 1897. Large octa- yo. Extracloth, Gold Top, cut or uncut edges. $3.50 net. “Chapters on the Natural History of the United States” is publication No. 2 issued under the auspices of the Natural Science Association of America, under whose auspices was issued as publication No. 1 that great work knwon Studer’s Popular Ornithology ‘‘The Birds of North America,”’ a superb imperial quarto volume of 110 artistic engraved colored plates, 12 by 15 inches, representing all cur birds true to nature, with a copious text embracing the olscryaticns made by the most eminent writers on orni- tholegy. Dr. Shufeldt’s valuable new tcck (publication No. 2) is a hand- somely printed large octavo volume of 400 pages. It is illustrated by many full page plates and numerous text figures. The life histories are written in a tkcroughly popular style and will prove to be instructive to every student of nature. One of the chief features of the work consists of the elegant half-tone plates, repreduced frcm a series of photographs all made by Dr. Shufeldt himself from the living forms. The work is one of the best that has appeared of late years and should bein the library of every working ornithologist in the United States. “Cla re ‘Bird Neighbors,’ that most excellent work by Neltje Blanchan, with an introduction by our favorite ‘John Burroughs,” is having a remarka- ble sale, the first edition of 5000 copies being exhausted soon after publica- tion. (published by Doubleday and & McClure Co.) Although immense numbers of song and insectivorous birds are used for this purpose, the greatest rage is for Egret plumes. 5 These danty,. graceful feathers, unlike the distorted skin of some poor humming bird or warbler, carry with them no suggestion of death, and many a woman on whose bonnet they are placed, is wholly ignorant of the unspeakable cruelty which the taking of these feathers. entails. If each plume could tel! its own sad history, every human woman in the land wou!d raise her voice against a fashion which threatens with ex- termination the most beautiful of our birds. We hear it said that the feathers can be procured without injury to the bird, or that they are found after being shed; both statements are abso- lutely false. The plumes constitute the wedding dress of the white Egret, and are only worn during the nes:ing season. The wholesale dealer sends the plume hunter into the southern states where these birds nest in large colonies or rookeries, often hundreds nesting near together. ‘The old birds are not very shy at this season, and they leave the nest where the young birds are, very reluctantly, therefore, the hunters find them an easy mark and in a few days most of the parent birds of the colony have been killed, while the nestiings are left to die of starvation. One plume hunter boasts of having killed 300 Egrets one afternoon and another boasts that he and his party killed 130,000 birds during one season. ‘Dead fell the birds, with blood stains on their breasts. Or wounded crept away from sight of man, While the young died of famine in their nests; A slaughter to be told in groans not words. What is to be dene? True, we have laws to protect our birds, but laws are powerless when a women has a fad in her head and a feather in her hat. It is a melancholy fact that among the enemies of our birds two of the most destructive and relentless are our women and our boys. The boys by inheritance have a mania for collecting eggs and killing birds. It will not take us loug, however, to dispose of the small boy question. What is the most potent influence in this world over the boy? It is mother. How can she teach her children gentleness and mercy to the weak and rever- ence for life, when by her laws, and her actions shé contradicts the very thing she teazhes? It is to be hoped, and I believe it will be a fact, that at no distant period of time, there is going to appear a nev woman who will bring with her new decorations for her head gear, a woman who will spurn the idea of wearing a dead bird on her hat. Then mothers can teach their children to love the birds, and teach them to observe the won-- ders of bird life by making them acquainted with the wonderful works of God’s creation, they will soon begin to love them. The better they be- come acquainted, the more they will love them; the friendship once sprung up between them, will be the best protection. . Finally a few suggestions pertaining to the solution of the problem of bird protection might bein order. It will tace time and much patient, earnest effort to accomplish the desired end, even with the hearty cooper-— ation of all persons interested in birds. The Iowa Ornithological Assozia- CE — 3 tion should be doing more delinate and united work along this line. At the next annual meeting of the Association there shouid be appointed a committee on protection of lowa birds, consisting of five members, giving them authority toincrease their number if desirable. Until that time let each member act as a committee of One and observe the following sug- gestions: b 1. Thatit is the duty of each member to instruct himself as to the eco- nomical value of birds by reading all the publications on the supject, that he or she may be prepared to instruct any one with whom they may be thrown in contact. 2. Members should also be prepared and willing at all times to address farmer’s institutes, woman’s clubs, and any other gathering of people where the subject of bird protection and the value of birds to the people can be urged. 3. Another duty is for members of the A-sociation to urge upon their representatives in the State legislature the advisability of passing proper laws for the protection oj birds, including the so called birds of prey, this can be done on the ground of their economic value to the agricultura! dis- tricts, if for no other reason. 4. Members shonld take every opportunit, to talk to educators urging them to teach the children about bird life, and to that end should prevail upon as many teachers as possible to join our association. 5. lt is further recomended that a law establishing bird day in zonjunc-- tion with arbor day be urged for passage in our state. The very simple but clear !aw now on the statute books of Wisconsin is recomended as a model It has been urged that two holidays are objectionable, therefore as arbor dav and bird day are allied in purpose, a law making both ob- servable on the same day is advisable. In conforming with the law of Wisconsin, Governor Edward Scofield issued the following proclamation: “I do her-by designate and set apart April 30th next, as arbor and _ bird day, and recomend that all public schools, col/eges and other educational] institutions of the state and citizens general:y observe the same in a pro- per manner ” “I do recomend that the day be devoted to the planting of trees. shrubs, and flowers in school grounds and public parks. to the end that in all school aud other public exercises held upon that day special attention be paid to vur native birds, in order that the children of the state may learn to find pleasure in a knowledge of the habits ana characteristics especially of the various song birds, and that there may be cultivated a higher re- gard for bird life.” Mr. George A. Morrison of Fox Lake, Wis., gives a very Interesting ac- count of the influence of bird day on the boys of his tewn. ‘‘Kor some time there had seemed to be a growing interest manifested on the part of a number of the boys in the characteristics and habits of several of our most common birds. Tbe progran on bird jay seemed to awaken them still more, for in the succeeding weeks, during the spring emigration. they often came to me asking about the song of some bird 4 they had undoubtly frequently heard. before, but now it was heard in a different way, it had a meaning, and they learned to recognize the song of several birds.” “During the nesting season I think there were but few nests robbed, aad fewer birds killed just for fun, which goes to show that the small boy, however malicious, can be taught to respect and Jove the friends of the air, \f the right course be taken.” 6. Let us work to introduce bird study into the schools along with Botany. While legislation may be of vast benefit in protecting all bird life, yet I firmiy believe that the true solution will be the education of the children of our schools, both public and private. They should be taught in every grade from the kindergarten to the college, not only the aesthetic but the economic value of the birds’ Bird protection must be the outgrowth of public intelligence rather than sentiment. When people are taught the economic value of birds, that bird protec- tion is a matter of dollars and cents to them, bird protection will be as- sured. It is found to be extremely difficult to convince the great bulk of the adults of the present day of the economical value of birds and that they should not be destroyed. In 2a generation it will be possible to change this sentiment so that every adult will recognize the importance of birds as aids iu preserving the econom'cal balance of nature. The American Ornithologists’ Union has a committee on protection of North American birds which has done most excellent work the past year. Some of the above suggestions were from them. They have distributed thousands of leaflets and column after column has appeared in the public press relative to the cruelty, necessitated by the use of fea‘hers for mil- linery ornamentation. Their work has been carried on for the most part under the manage- ment of Audnbon societies. Very valuable work is being done and will be done in the future vy these societies. The first of these, the Massachusetts Audubon Society. was organized in 1886. As each one is planned on the same lines, and with the same ob- jects in view, a quotation from the prospectus of the Massachusetts society will serve to give a character of the work it hopes to accom- plish. ‘The purpose of the society is to discourage the buying and wearing for ornamental purposes the feathers of avy wild birds, and to otherwise fur- ther the protection of our native birds. We would awaken the community to the fact that this fashion of wearing feathers means the cruel slaugh- ter of myriads of birds, and that some of our finest birds are already de- cimated, and may ultimately be exterminated by the demand for their feathers. We would make an appeal to all lovers of nature, siuce by this reckless demand of fashion the woods and fielas aré being stripped of one of their chief attractions, and the country deprived of indispensible friends of agricz]ture.” ‘ Any person is elegible for membership who is willing to subscribe to the, following single pledge: ‘‘Being in sympathy with the principles of the . : | F ; : 5 Mass. Audubon Society, I hereby agree not to purchase or encourage the use of feathers of wild birds for ornamentation.” A very small fee is re- quired of members, the same being used solely for the purpose of printing and disseminating the necessary literature on the subject. As a striking sign of the influence of the Mass. Society, it may be stated that one of the fashionable milliners of Boston is a member of the society and consequently will not sell the plumage of wild birds to customers. Such societies are at work in nearly every state inthe Union. But upon looking ata resummeof the work done in each state, I am sorry to see that lowa stands in the background. No State Society, and the first local Audubon Society was founded in June of the past year, 1897, at Schaller, Io va, with Miss J. KE. Hamand as secretary. This society is in a flourishing condition, has nearly 200 mem- bers, and has recently issued a little leaflet which contains much food for reflection. It is to be hoped that before the close of another year it may be report- ed that Iowa has a State Audubon Society. ON THE PROBABLE OCCURRENCE OF FOSSIL BIRDS IN IOWA, BY WILMON NEWELL. Paper read before the third congress of the I. O. A. It was the intention of the writer in preparing a paper for the I. O. A. to present the subject. “Geological Factors of lowa Ornithology.” This subject would naturaly divide itself into two parts as follows: The first part treating of the geological factors indicating pre-existing forms, such as fossils, ete., and the second part, of those geographical and topographical features of the State that have to do with the character and distribution of living forms. However as the first mentioned furnishes enough and more material than can be treated of in a paper of reasonable ‘‘shortness.” I have seen fit to defer indefin- ately the treatment of the second subject, richer and more interesting though it is. In treating of the possible occurrence of fossil birds within the state I have had recourse to the works of Calvin, Bain, Beyer, Marsh, Snow and others, gleaning here and there such items as bear upon the subject. Up to the present time no representatives of the Class Aves have been found fossil in Iowa. This may be due to either of two causes. — First. those formations in which we know that sueh remains mzghZ be found may not be sufficiently exposed or not have been well enough explored to de- termine their presence. Secondly, the formations of the State may be destitute of such remains. This last will be treated further on in the paper. As to the first: as is well known, all fossil birds that have been fonnd in 6 America occur in the Cretaceous, a formation comparatively recent in the geological time-scale. This formation occupies the greater part of the “plains” region west of the Mississippi river and extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Aretic ocean. It is, in Dakota, Nebraska and Kan- sas, especially rich in vertebrate remains. The same area extends north- east into Iowa, its eastern limit being unknown but being probably some- where between Ft. Dodge and Lowa Falls. The fact that it is covered with Drift to the depth of fifty to one-hundred feet makes investigation almost impossible. The only typical exposure of this formation is along the Big Sioux river in Plymouth and Woodbury counties. . The exposed portion here is of course very small in comparison with the highly eroded area of Kansas from which Prof Marsh obtained so many valuable specimens. The Cretaceous in Iowa doubtless extends over nearly one-half of the state running far east along the northern border and far south along the western. Could the Drift be removed from this area and the Cretaceous studied we would doubtless tind as rich deposits of vertebrate remains as | in Kansas. So far the United States Geological Survey has given no attention to this area and as yet the State survey has done little. the only work here having been done by 8. Calvin. State Geologist. The results of his work are to found in the proceedings of the lowa Academy of Sciences for 1892. Now as to the second cause of non-occurrence i. e. that the lowa forma- tions are destitute of the remains. While their presence has not been ascertained, their absence on the other hand has not been proved. The evidence going to show that they probably do occur is contained in the following paragraphs. Samuel Calvin, State Geologist, in his study of the Cretaceous deposits near Sioux City has proved beyond a doubt that they represent the Creta- ceous formations of Nebraska and Kansas described by Meek and Hayden. According to Calvin the exposure at Sioux City presents three distinet sub- divisions of the Cretaceous as follows: The lower one consisting mostly of sandstones with a few shales, is the Dakota group. The middle shaley formation represents the Ft. Benton group. and the upper chalk deposit is the Niobrara group. The last named formation extends over a large area of Kansas and Nebraska and is the formation from which Prof. Marsh has deseribed over twenty species of fossil birds belonging to the orders Odontormae and Odontoleae. That the nature of these fossils may be more plainly under- stood the classification of birds as given by Marsh is here presented. Class Aves. : Sub Class Ornithes, the modern birds. Sub Class Odontormae, or toothed birds, embracing Order Saururae. Order Odontoleae. Order Odontotormae. The first order named, the Saururae, is represented by the Arehaeop- + a aces 4 3 i 7 teryx, a fossil bird of Germany with which all ornithologists are familiar. The two remaining orders are separated by Marsh upon the character of the bill, the Odontoleae having teeth set in grooves and the Odontotormae in sockets. The former order is represented by Hesperornis and the latter by Ichthyornis. both of which were wading birds. The latter was a bird probably twice the size of a pigeon, the former larger, often five or six feet in length. As has been said these birds occur in the same formation that is rep- resented by tne Niobrara group at Sioux City. They therefore lived at the time this deposit was formed. However as this deposit is of chalk and was therefore a deep sea deposit, the remains, if found at all in lowa. would be found furher eastward at or near the shoreline of the Creta- ceous sea that covered the entire “plains” region: The conditions for the preservation of organic forms along this shoreline were doubtless the same as those in Kansas and it is reasonable to suppose that birds oceur- ing in such profusion and variety of species in the latter place would also be found as far north as the northern boundary of Iowa. Where this eastern shoreline is, or was, is not yet known. It may in time be dis- covered, or perhaps erosive agencies acting previously to the glaciafion of this region have removed all shoreline deposits of that time. Z Again in Vol. X, of the Trans. Kansas Academy of Sciences, Prof. F. H, Snow describes a bird track discovered in the Daket: group of Ellswor th county. Kansas. It will be noted that this is the same formation that oecurs as the lower member of the outcrop at Sioux City. This track, according to Prof. Snow, was made by a bird having the elevated hind toe merely touching the ground, a character that at present is found in the Snipes and Terns. The entire length of the track is two inches and much resembles the Ichthyornis victor of Marsh. Prof. Snow therefore concludes that the bird was probably a carnivorous bird, probably twice the size of a pigeon and with habits similar to those of the Terns of the present day. The prin-" cipal thing of interest however, is that this track occurs in the same group (Dakota) that is found in most abundance along the Big Sioux river near Sioux City. We have every reason to believe then that sooner or later Avian remains will be found in the formation, as likely to be - found near Sioux City as anywhere in the state. As the Cretaceous formations in Iowa furnish immense amounts of gyp- Sum and potter’s clay, itis likely that their economic value will cause them to be more fully studied by Geologists. With this study undertaken by such experts as Calvin, Keyes, Beyer, Bain and others now on the State Geological Survey. the Ornithologists may expect this area of north- western Iowa to produce some Avian curiosity which, if not a valuable discovery for Science. will at least furnish another of nature’s marvelous works for Iowa workers to boast of. DISCUSSIONS. Dr. Abbott. of Manchester. a venerable and intelligent gentle- ‘man who is noted for the attention he has given Geology and who took 8 much interest in the I. O. A. meetings, says that White and Marsh state that the Sioux City formations are so'similar to those of Kansas in which so many bird fossils have been discovered, that if investigation were carried on to a sufficient extent, like fossils would undoubtedly be found. “It seems that the fossil bird has not yet been found in Iowa,” adds Mrs. Triem. “No but I'm glad,” adds the Doctor, “‘that some one has enough con- fidence to believe there will be found fossil birds in the state.” ee THE SUMMER HAUNTS OF THE SWAMP SPARROW. BY J. EUGENE LAW. Paper read before the third congress of the I.O A. While perhaps not even common in most parts of lowa and perhaps unknown to a great many of our Hawkeye Ornithologists, and I myself have never met it strictly within our boundaries. yet I feel abundantly satisfied that it not only occurs as a migrant but even oecas- ionally breeds within the state. While on an outing in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa during May June “96 in company with Mr. J. H. Brown. I noticed a male mount- ed on a dead reed uttering its chitter which so much resembles that of the Chipping Sparrow. at Bear Lake. Freeborn Co., Minnesota. This lake is only four miles north of the north line of Winnebago county, which leaves strong room to surmise thatit might be found in Iowa at this season of the year. This occured on the 29th of May, which would be about the time for young birds. On two or three other occasions I heard their chitter at Rice Lake, Faribault county and Heron Lake, Jackson county. These counties lie north of about the middle of Iowa from east to west. Hence it would be very reasonable to decide -that it passed through Iowa on its migrations. So much for lowa. Now for the summer haunts of our little friend. The early part of the last two collecting seasons and the whole of the last, I have spent at Madison, Wisepnsin, and though school duties have occupied most of my time, I have been able to get out a little, but of course any thorough study has been out of the question. ; The Swamp Sparrow first puts in an appearance in the early part of April. First noted April 15, °96 and April 11, 97, but as I was not out to their haunts every day there isa chance for earlier dates. Soon after they arrive the marshes about the lakes are full of them. They keep up a constant singing, dozens within earshot at the same time. Their song almost exactly resembles a Chipping Sparrow's, but is perhaps a little louder and sweeter, lacking the sad monotony characteristic of the Chip- ping Sparrow. I have never found them at any time in any other place than the high grass and rushes about water. - My acquaintance with their breeding habits has been confined exelus- ively to one large arm of Lake Mendota. Madison, Wis... whieh finally 9 loses itself in an extensive marsh. Following the line of shore between the lake and marsh and a rod or so back from the waters edge, a road has been graded across the marsh. An improvement company have obtained control of the road, macadamized it, and it is one of the popular and much used drives out of the city. My acquaintence with their nesting might be still further limited to a strip three rods wide on either side of the road. But in this strip these sparrows are certainly very abundant breeders. In one place I took five nests of eggs from a strip on the lake side of the road not over four rods long. After a great deal of chattering and quarrelling, they finally settled down to active nesting operations about the first of May. Along the sides of the above mentioned road there isa rank growth of rushes, or rather once was. These rushes, now dead and yellow, are thickly matted and bent over so as to form a very obscure cover for the nests. and it is in these that most all my nests have been found. In 1896 four nests were obtained within reach of the road. All but one were securely concealed in a bent over matted bunch of rushes, the only “give away” being a few grasses left about the approach to the nest in building. These grasses were the same that grew abundantly among the rushes, but a sort of or- der in the way they lay attracted ones attention. The birds were very hard to flush, seldom leaving until one began to tear the bunch of rushes to pieces. From the three above nests three sets of five eggs were secur- ed, one May 13, 1896. and two May 18th, all with incubation barely begun. The fourth nest, however, differed materially in situation. It was in a rather open place, where the stiff three cornered reeds we are all familiar with had been cut off a foot above the water and still remained standing. The nest, within a yard of the wagon track, was attached to a buneh of these rushes, after the manner of a Red-wings: It was not only visible but conspicuous from the road, the eggs being plainly seen by one riding by. Five days after the first egg was laid, I took three eggs on the 20th of May. The nest was about six inches above the water, as were the three aboye mentioned. All the nests found so far were practically identical in composition, composed principally, as I hinted above, of the semi-coarse erasses near at hand. They were lined with fine round stems, only in one or two instances was there a suggestion of horse hair. In “97 I was able to cover a slightly larger area with boots. but although I wandered over a large marsh and saw Swamp Sparrows not unfrequent- ly acting as if they had nests, I was unable to find any nests over three rods from the above mentioned road. This, IT take it is due to the fact that these patches or dead rushes. which seem to be so congenial to the sparrows only abound in the vicinity of the road, while further away one finds a sea of grass, in which it isalmost impossible to locate a nest. ex- cept by chance, unless the bird is flushed. This spring. “97. in all, six nests were examined, of these all but one were well concealed under the bent over rushes, the other being in the situation of a Red-Wing’s and farthest from the road, about three rods. Of these. on May 19th. one set of two eggs of the sparrow with two Cow-birds’ eggs and another of four Sparrows’ were taken, incubation well begun. On May 22nd. two sets of 10 three with incubation about one-fifth, and on May 28th, a set of five fresh eggs were taken. The sixth set, one of five eggs, taken May 26th, was two old to save. On two or three occasions when I have been near other marshes near Madison, I have noticed the songs of the males, seemingly as abundant as in the marsh I was acquainted with. Hence, I feel safe in saying that the Swamp Sparrow is an abundant breeder in all the marshes about ° Madison. Now fora brief summary: The first set of eggs is laid between the middle and last of May. Of the ten sets examined, five were of five eggs, three of three, and one of four. The other contained two Sparrows’ and two Cow-Birds’ eggs. Whether they. keep on breeding all summer, as Wilson says they do in Penn.. Iam of course, unable to say. Pethaps I owe something of an apology to the association for giving notes from out the state, but they are at least about a bird which oecurs within the state. DISCUSSIONS. Mr. W. W. Loomis opened the discussions by stating that he had found one nest of the Swamp Sparrow in Allamakee county about the 20th of May, it was placed on the bank of a stream, perhaps two feet from the water. Mr. Wilmon Newell had noted one specimen in Story county about the middle of April, but had not found the species nesting there. Mrs. M. A. Triem found one nest in Deleware couuty, it was placed on the ground by a small bush and not far from a stream. Mrs. Triem also stated that on several occasions she had seen old birds in the nesting sea- son and was positive that the nests were not far away. although she was unable to find them. Mr. Brown says that he has never found either the Swaup or Song Sparrow nesting in his locality, and Mr. Savage gives the same assertion. Mrs. Triem rises to state that the latter speces nest abundantly near Man- chester. : Mr. Newell informs us that the Song Sparrows are not rare in Story county, but has never found them nesting. He thinks that perhaps the Nelson’s Song Sparrow may be found as a emigrant in the state. eo SIDES er INTERESTING NOTES. BY ARTHUR A, JEFFREY seing aw member of the association, I feel it my duty to add what I can to the interest of its little pdper and, as it is beyond my powers to dis- course at lengjh on any one species or family of birds, or fill page after page with their scientific names, I will simply set down those of my notes taken during the past season that I think will be of intersst tomy brother ornithologists. ; The House Wren is, in my estimation, the most industrious little bird we have. They never seem so happy as when they are employed building a nest or feeding their young. Ihave Known many cases where a pair of following man- Il these little --busy-bodies” have demonstrated their passion for nest-building by building two nests in the same box and of course could use only one of them. That summer a pair took possession of a Martin house containing four rooms and not only did they appropriate the lower floor to their use but also the garret, filling the two lower rooms completely with rubbish and the upper ones nearly so. After the Wrens had left last falll examined the various nests about the place with the following results: In one nest I found, besides the usual quantity of sticks and strings, the following unusual material: two six- penny nails, two pieces of No. 12 wire about three inehes long; one piece of No. 15 wire two inches long, seven shingle nails and three one-inch bradss In another nest I found fifteen shingle nails. one one-inch brad and a six-penny nail. A TAME GOLDFINCH—I have often read of wild birds: becoming so tame in their natural haunts that they would eat from a person’s hand or alight on his shoulder. But to these stories I never attached much credit until last summer when I was fortunate enough to obtain the confidence and trust of a_ fe- male American Goldfineh. ‘It happened in the ner: On the morning of the seventeenth day of August as I was driv- ing the horses from the pas- ture my atten- tion was at- tracted by a small nest in a large thistle (which I am ashamed to mention as be- wn t, —— = ing in our pas- ture) and on ex- amination. J found it was AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. oceupied by its Drawu from-painting by Wm. G. Savage owner, a female American Goldfinch. Seeing that she did not seem much frightened, I approached slowly, imitating as nearly as I could the Goldfinch’s plaintive love-call—sw-e-e-e-t, sw-e-e-e-t. In this manner I was able to approach within two feet of the nest, when she became unable to stand the sight of me any longer and flew a few rods from the nest, disclosing five pale blue eggs. Thinking it best policy to disturb her no 12 longer that time, I went on after the horses and returned to visit her the next evening and met with great success for this time she allowed me to approach in the same manner as before and stroke her feathers gently with my forefinger while she kept her place on the nest. After this I visited her nearly every evening and we became so well acquainted that she would eat bits of apple. cake. sugar and other dainties from the end of my forefinger and allow me to gently place my finger beneath her and raise her from the nest, at which she showed no signs of fright but seemed extremely anxious to get back on her eggs. This iittle bird was a most careful “‘nest-wife” for after each meal taken from my hand she would poise herself on the edge of the nest and carefully pick out all the crumbs which had fallen into it. She and and her family left for better feeding grounds and I have seen nothing of ‘her since. I think her extraordinary tameness can easily be explained by her great love for her eggs and nest which at first led her to allow me to touch her, and after a few days of this forced endurance she found that she need have no fear of me and became actually tame. On the 20th day of September, while nutting I found a quail’s nest containing the shells of eleven eggs from which the young quails seemed to have just hatched. These shells were opened at the larger end by a ragged cut, the edges of which were turned in and which would have been a complete circle had not a hinge of about a quarter of an inen’s width. been left on one side, the tough inside skin acting as a hinge. These openings looked very much as though the mother quail had made them, wnd to add to this evidence was another egg still containing a young quail and it was opened as were the others. and on examination I found that the young quail’s bill was packed tightly in the shell a little below the cut. which showed that the ypung quail hadn’t opened it as is the belief of many naturalists. But against this evidence there was still another egg in the nest which contained a dead bird and it was zo¢ opened as were the rest. The only excuse I can make for this is that the old quail not hearing any chirp from that egg thought it did not need to be opened yet. eee ROL ARE YOU WATCHING THE BIRDS. _ Through the courtesy of Dr. C. Hart Merriam. Chief of the Biological Survey, Washington. D. C.. migration blanks with return penalty envel- opes were malled to every member of the Iowa Ornithological Association. It is desired that these blanks will be filled out with our migration notes and sent to Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Washington, D. C. A duplicate of our migration notes is to be mailed to Carl Fitz Henning. Chief of the Migr 7 tion Department. Boone. Lowa. It is to be hoped that every member of our association will take enough interest in this branch of our ornithological studies to enable us to make a creditable report on the migration of birds in the State of Iowa. Mi- gration notes from members of the association living outside of our state are desired. Let every one make a full and complete report. d I 3 I have received several encouraging letters from members of our asso- ciation and feel confident of good results if we all work together. Would be pleased to hear from my fellow members. Yours in the Migration Work, 5 Cari Fritz HENNING, 922 Highth Street. Chief of Migration Department, Boone, Lowa. NOTES AND NEWS. The first blue birds arrived at Boone, Iowa. March 5th. They are wel- come visitors at **Bird’s Home.” On the morning of March 25th, Mr. Wm. Bass of Boone county, shot a Swan on the Des Moines river near Centerville, Iowa. The Swan was purchased by a Boone party and mounted by Carl Fritz Henning. Monday, March 28, was a good day for hunters. The day before had been a regular blizzard in this section, starting in with rain and sleet in the morning, it soon turned to sleet, hail and snow, until by night the ground was covered several inches deep. Hundreds of Ducks, Brant, Snow Geese and several flocks of Swans started south and many sought shelter from the storm along the Des Moines river in the protected bot- toms. A fine Greater Snow Goose with rusty tinge on head, neek and breast was collected by Frank Brown and kindly donated tothe ,.C. F. H.” collection. The Snow Goose was alone on the river and had apparently been separated from his companions during the storm. Many Pintails, Mallards, Widgeons and Gadwalls were taken at various points through- out the county. April 3rd, Harry Myers, Boone. Iowa, collected a fine set of Barred Owl eggs. The eggs. two in number were placed in a hollow white oak. 35 ‘feet up. Mr. Myers also succeeded in getting the owl. On the following day, April 4. Mr. Myers had another streak of luck and after a hard climb of 65 feet he got up to a large nest of Red-tail Hawk. Two beautifully marked eggs were the result of his shinning the basswood. Robins ,are building at Birds home. Golden-winged Woodpeckers courting. Jal Our fellow member. Amon R. Shearer, of the Galveston Medical College. writes under date of April 4th that the whole body of warblers have ar- rived in foree at Galveston, Texas. The first Ruby-throated Humming- bird arrived their March 25th, also Kingfishers, Herons, Sparrows, ete. Mr. Shearer is the bosom friend of our Chief of the Migration Department and has promised Mr. Henning migration notes from the sunny south. Mr. A. P. Godley. of LeGrand, Ia., writes that on Feb. 15th he identi- fied a Whistling Swan which had been shot on the Iowa river that day. He thinks it a very early date to find this species so far north. With this exception and that of a Yellow-shafted Flicker shot Feb. 20th, he had not seen any migrants up to date—Mar. 2nd. 14 We like to receive letters which read like this: “Tam keeping extensive field notes this year and will transfer my mi- gration records to the blanks which I received a few days ago. Wishing you success this season, I am. yours in the work, V. L. Beep, Hampton, Iowa. ’ Mr. Lynds Jones, of Oberlin, Ohio, informs us that he pushed the study of winter birds during this winter at his station, and found it very profit- able and not unpleasant. He found both Horned Larks and Prairie Horned Larks there in flocks together. Mr. Jones hopes that the Horned Larks will receive careful treatment by the I. O. A. members as he feels sure that Iowa should have at least four of the forms. He has taken two specimens near Oberlin which are nearer J/ezco/aea than anything else. Likewise the Shrikes—-they have found both Loggerhead and White- rumped in about equal numbers with many intermediates. The Iowa Shrikes, he thinks, are probably likewise mixed. Mr. H. J. Giddings writes that he noticed in the October Lowa ORNI- THOLOGIST there was some discussion at the Manchester meeting concern- ing the prevailing form of the Water Thrush in the state. Near Sabula he has met with none except Grinnell’s Water Thrush. This species be- ing very abundant at times, but he has never found their nests. This being the most eastern part of the state, he assumes that this ls the pre- vailing form over most of the state. On Noy. 17, 1897, a female American Scoter was shot near Sabula out of a small flock and brought to Mr. Giddings to be mounted. This is his first record of the species and the old hunters claim that it is the first specimen ever taken near there. On May 3d, 1897, I found a nest of six young White-rumped Shrikes Birds about 10 days old. This is my earliest dateon record. On July 6th, 1897, I and a friend collected a set of four Red Starts, incubation just begun—a very late date for Red Start. Joun. J. SKINNER. Since our last issue the following persons have been admifted to active membership in the I. O. A: Miss J. E. Hamand, Schaller: Messrs James L. Johnson, Ames; and Harold Odle, Hull. Also to associate member- ship. Mr. C. L. Passmore. of Iola. Wis. tf) UM. New Books and other publications will be reviewed in this department. Authors wishing publications reviewed should send them to the Editor. who will examine them personally and give them due consideration. ~Bird Neighbors,” An introductory acquaintance with one hundred and fifty birds commonly found in the gardens, meadows, and woods about our homes, by Neltye Blanchan, with introduction by John Burroughs, and 50 colored plates, New York. Doubleday & McClure Co., 1897. Cloth $2. This unique book of 234 pages ought to be a great help to the young student of birds, and enables every one to know their “bird neighbors.” [4 is, as John Burroughs says in introduction *‘a*reliable work and is written in a vivacious strain by a real bird lover and should prove a help and a stimulus to any one who seeks by the aid of its pages to become better acquainted with our songsters. The descriptions are free from technicalities. For the beginner who wishes to get acquainted with his or her neighbors it is hard to find a better book with so many colored plates at so small a cost. ACen Reale ~“Heligoland as an Ornithological Observatory, the result of fifty years experience,” by Heinrich Gaetke, translated by Rudolph Rosenstock, M A. Oxon, Edinburgh, David Douglas; 10 Castle street. 599 pages. 23s, 6d. Herr Gaetke’s *“‘Heligoland” is beyond question a remarkable book. it was originally published in German, and in 1895 received the compliment of being made accessible to English readers. An ornithologist in high standing has pronounced it to “‘one of the most original. most remarkable and most valuable books ever written about birds.” Herr Gaetke’s book consists of three parts. entitled respectively ‘:Migration of Birds” (pp 3-148). “Changes in the Color of the Plumage of Birds without Moulting.” (pp 149-164), and an ‘Account of the Birds Observed in Heligo- land” (pp 165-588). Part I is divided into nine chapters. The first chapter treats of the “Course of Migration generally in Heligoland,” (pp 3-23 Il. Direction of the Migration Flight (pp 24-45). HI. Altitude of the Migration Flight (pp 46-62). IV. Velocity of the Migration Flight (pp 63-73). V. Meteorological Conditions which Influence Migration (74-99). VI. Order of Migration according to Age and Sex. VII. Exceptional Migration Phenomena (pp 114-130). VIII. What Guides Birds during their Migration (pp 131-142)? 16 IX. The Cause of the Migration Movement (pp 142-148). Heligoland is a small island at the mouth of the Elbe in the North Sea, about fifteen miles distant from the mainland. It is triangular in outline, slightly over a mile in length, but much less than a square mile in area. The little island lies at the intersection of two prominent lines of migra- tion, the one a north and south route, the other an east and west route. Herr Gaetke has studied the subject of migration of birds and bird life at at all seasons at his great observatory, with little cessation or interruption day after day and night after night for the last fifty years. He tells us and we can realize the fact that Heligoland stands pre-eminent as an ornithological observatory in the west of Europe. The number of birds observed in Heligland at 398. We owe much to Herr Gaetke’s devotion to ornithology for the important contribution to our knowledge of the ways of birds. ‘CAH ea “Song Birds and Water Fowl.” by H. E. Parkhurst, illustrated by Louis Aglssiz Fuertes, New York. Chas. Scribner’s Sons, 1897. _ Those who haye read Mr. Parkhurst’s ‘Birds Calendar,” will not be dis- appointed with his new work, ‘‘Song Birds and Water Fowl.” The contents of this handsome little volume of 286 pages. are: A Bouquet of Song*Birds. Water Fowl. A Bird’s Eye View. Mistress Cuckoo. Sea Swallows. Bird’s Nests. At the Water’s Edge. Lake George. A Colony of Herons. Earliest Signs of Spring. The 18 full page plates are the work of Louis Agassiz Fuertes, our Audubon of today. We hope that Mr. Parkhurst will soon fayor us with another book on our feathered friends, C. “Bs Ae “Birds” Nature Study Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., Monthly, $1.50 per year. “Birds” is a monthly magazine, illustrated by the new and wonderful process of color photography. With the January number *‘Birds” enters upon its second year. It has eight full page illustrations and twenty-four pages of text. A short life history is given of each bird described, one to please the boys and girls, the other for adults. his isa most excellent feature of the magazine and is meeting with wonderful success, a fact shown by its large number of subseribers. The plates and birds described in the January number are: Crowned Pigeon, Red-eyed Vireo, Fox Sparrow, Bob White, Passenger Pigeon, Short-eared Owl, Rose Cockatoo and Mountain Patridge. Every one of these colored plates in the January issue is true to life, that of the Pas- senger Pigeon is an exceptionally fine plate and the best I have seen in the last five years. The publishers are entitled to success. and the sub- scription list shows that their efforts are appreciated. C.J Ww WwW WwW wrod OU @ 2 WwW WwW WY WW Ww ii (or) Je} ee) 17 Wembers of the Sowa Ornithological Association. APRIL, 1898. HONORARY Crouch, R. J., DeWitt, - Goss, R. D., New Sharon, - Savage, William, Wilsonville, ACTIVE MEMBERS (Omission of date indicates a founder of the Association.) Anderson, R. M., Forest City, Andrews, Earnest, Boone, - Arildson, P. C., Rock Rapids, Ball, Carleton R., Ames - Bailey, Bert H., Cedar Rapids, Bartsch, Paul, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, Beed, V. L., Hampton, - Brown, J. H., Maquoketa, - Bryan. W. A., Field Columbian Burge, Geo. H., Mt. Vernon Carter, Chas., Fairfleld, - Carter, E. D., Berkely, - Carhart, W. G., Marion - Coleman, W. G., Boone, - Conrad, A. H., Fairfield, Museum, Chicago, IIl., Crone, John V., Sheridan, Wy.., Currier, Edmonde S., Keokuk, Elvidge, Henry, Decorah, - Fizpatrick, T. J., Lamoni Gayman, Mary L., lowa City, Giddings, H. J., Sabula, Godley, A. P., LeGrand, - Hamand, Miss J: E., Schaller, Halvorson, M. Earl, Forest City, Heaton, Hiram, Glendale, Henning, Carl Fritz, Boone Hill, B. B., Ames, - - Hoover, George 0., West Branch, _ Irons, Earnest, 5726 Drexel Ave., Chicago, IIl., Jeffreys, Arthur A., Indianola, Jobnson, A. I., Des Moines, Johnson, James L., Ames, - Jones, Lynds, Oberlin, Ohio, Keyes, Charles R., Mt. Vernon King, Miss Charlotte M., Ames Law, J. Eugene, 421 Lake St., Madison, Wis. Loomis, W. W., Clermont Myers, P. 0., Lowa City - Newell, Wilmon, Ames - MEMBERS. Or Fee Gaol wv or ov or or ore or m ww or o I Jo) ye Ol Se os io 2) 18 Odle, Harold, Hull - - Olney, R. H.. Marathon - - Peck, Morton E., Iowa Falls -— - - Peters, John, Boone - - = Pierce, Robert F., Salem - ai - Rann, Mrs. Mary L., Manchester - Rich. Dr. Guy C., Sioux City - - Richardson, F. G., Mason City - Robertson, Frank, Fayette > = Savage, David L., Salem - - Searles, W. W , Lime Springs - - Sehmidt, Fred O., Boone - - Shoemaker, Frank H., 513 N. Y. Bldg.. Omaha, Neb. Smith, €: C., Decorah = - - - Smullen, Harris I., Clinton Etec Le Statler, Earl C., Brighton .- - - Thomas, H H., Decorah re - - Tomlinson, Robert A., Alden - - Triem, Mrs. M. A., Manchester - Tryon, Chas. C., Avoca > > Watson, James C.. Hull - - - Weidman, Joe, Ames - - > Webster, E. B., Cresco - - = Woods, Paul C., Spencer > - ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. Brown, Walter E.. Mason City - Brown, Eugene, Mason City. Ia. - - Brull, Max W., St. Anthony Park, Minn. Chase, Frank W.. Marshall, Minn. - Dyer, Geo. E., Housten, Minn. > Ellsworth, A. D., Winona, Minn, - Farmer, A. M., Clinton, ‘lass. - Flint, H. W., New Haven, Conn. - - Griffiths, B. E., Omaha, Neb. - - Gurdsen, W. C.. Victoria, Minn, - - Lincoln, Robert E., Fergus Falls, Minn. May, Fred, Minneapolis, Minn. = - McGinty, Paul P,, Athens, Georgia - McLaughlin, Herald M., Mason City, lowa Moore, J. Russel. Milwaukee, Wis - Mulliken, W. E.. Grand Rapids, Mich. - Palmer, William M., New York, N. Y. Passmore, C. L., Iola, Wis. - - Skinner, John J., Fayette, lowa = Shearer, Arnon R., Galveston, Texas - Wirt, \W. J., Gaines. New York Wilson, B. H., Rock Island, Il. - Zerwas, Philip, Carroll, Iowa : SAVAGE. Va ye DA ‘he + lowa 4 (rnithologist. Weel] V'. EME Ne S98. No. a: First Record of the Turnstone. (Arenaria interpres (Linn.) In Towa. (May 21, 1892.) We had spent a pleasant day’s outing among the beautful lakes which abound along the Mississippi, in Illinois, opposite Burling- ton. Had admired the fields and forests now decked in virgin green and lastened all day long to the chorus of birds, which were ever pushing northward. toward their favorite summer homes. Evening found us gliding homeward, Just as we passed the Burlington bridge which spans the great ‘‘Father of Waters” Dr. Poppe who was in the boat preceeding ours called my attention to a pair of birds feeding on the railroad track, which was now partly submerged on account of the prevailing high stage of water. In my eagerness to approach them I frightened them away and owing to the unsteady motion of the boat I missed both birds. Not recog- niziig the birds, tiy eyes naturally followed the pair with re- egret. We saw them cross the river, circle over the city of Burling- ton, swing about, then wheel again in Jacksnipe fashion, and final- ly return in a bee line, to the place from which they had been frightened. This time I took the precaution to land and approach them more carefully which resulted inthe capture of the only two _ Turnstones which have ever come under my obversations in the _ Mississippi Valley. a These birds were killed in Illinois, but will have to be added to the list of lowa birds. as we also observed them in Iowa. —Paty Barrscu, Washington, D.C. = Nest and Eggs of the Blue-winged Teal. Nest and Eggs of the Marsh Hawk. Through Naturalist’s Eyes. BY DAVID L, SAVAGE. Paper read before the Third Congress of |. O. A. The breath of autumn fans my brow, Her voice is in my ear, And earth in all its lovliness, Proclaims her presence near; And I rejoice that round my way, That’s often dark and dim, God sends so many messengers To draw my soul to Him. Nesting time is over. Now comes the most interesting season of the year to the bird lover; when the parent birds bring forth their younglings, all unused to the ways of the world, and carry on their training before our eyes. Very few, perhaps, are aware that most of these youngsters are dressed in different costume from their elders. When the young birds come forth even the expert ornithologist is at times sorely puzzled to fix on the catagory to which some of thembelong. Yet there are usually some charac- teristics by which their placesin the azv/ fauna may be determined. Asa rule, the plumage of young birds is more striped and mottled than the mature specimens. I said that nesting time was over. 4 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 5 Perhaps a half-dozen species are busy with second broods. But did I not forget that charming, sweet-voiced goldfinch _ (Spinus Tristus) who has just commenced the cares of housekeeping? Nay, the pretty mansion in the elm is not yet completed! The courtship of the bird of July is a charming sight. What a time he has courting that little spouse of his! It would seem that these sombre maidens are harder to woo than the others of their sex. And yet writers would have us think that this delay in nesting is on a account of a late coming insect necessary for the welfare of the nestling, or for the thistle silk, which alone makesa fit cushion for his delicate spouse and her ‘‘wee babies!” THE GOLDFINCH. By no means does Master Goldfinch cease evincing affection for his mate when nest-building commences. From morning till night you may here his joyous notes. He is singing as he accomp- anies his mate on almost numberless excursions across the meadow to the pasture land, where the overworked or indolent farmer has left the thistle to gain a stronghold; singing as he returns with Lady Goldfinch, who has her beak loaded with ‘‘thistle silk” for the nest; singing as, perched upon the topmost twig.of the e!m, he watches her weave that rude material into an artistic structure 6 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. which is soon to be called ‘‘home.” After watching the bird for a few hours we areled to exclaim with the poet,— ‘‘Where do you hide such a store of delight, O delicate creature, tiny and slender, Like a mellow sunbeam bright. Overflown with music tender!” ; The nest is completed in a surprisingly short time. In seven days the eggs are hatched, and erea fortnight has come and gone the little ones are full-fledged birds. Now the fond father lezds the happy family from one feeding ground to another with tones of authority as behooves a father of five children. TIE SCREECH OWL. Another bird which makes himself conspicuous at this seuson by his vocal aspirations is the screech owl (Megascops asio). He does not condesend to vocal Articulation until the little screechers are old enough to imitate. Then old and young betake themselves to a small grove or woodland and, when darkness conceals them, — one and all take up the most unearthly strain that ever proceeded from the throat of abird. At aloss toknow what to call the sound writers have termed it ‘‘screeching.” And that, though perhaps as good as any other Anglo-Saxon word, gives but a faint glimmer of the original weird and grotesque sound. THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST, ri There is no bird that has claimed more of my attention than this night wanderer. I have found quite a number of screech owl nests, placed in the hollow of trees. Never, would rapping on the trees bring the old birds out. Climbing to the nests I have invari- ably had to remove them with my hand. When placed upon a limb of the tree, they would sit quiet with eyelids nearly closed until I had examined the cavity to my satisfaction, then would permit me to replace them on the eggs, not uttering a sound dur- ing the whole performance. Thinking I might gain a closer ac- quaintance, I kept two for pets in my den for sometime. During the day they were all stillness and gravity, other than snapping their bills when I approached. No sooner was the sun set than their whole appearance became lively and animated; they ate with greet greediness any food offered them; flew around the room with the silence of thought and, perching, moaned out their melancholy notes. which reminded me of the shivering moaning of a half- frozen puppy. I felt as though they had some hidden sorrow over which they were continually brooding; so I released them, think- ing perchance they might find consolation in the association of their kind. But only last night I heard them uttering the same whining sound along the banks of a wooded stream. About the same time I heard the owls, a yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) struck up a chorus of sow, ow, kow, how, kow, —the first notes slowly drawn out, then increasing in rapidity until closing with a muffled sound. According to tradition ‘‘ there will be a rain in less than twenty-four hours.” No appearance of a storm as yet!* Perhaps this is a young bird that has not developed into a good weather prophet. Not infrequently this bird indulges in its predictions at night. During the nesting season quite a number of our birds occasionally indulge in night solos. I have heard the brown thrasher, the black-throated bunting, and the field sparrow start up a tune, long after most of the birds had wrapped themselves in slumber; at such hours they sing only fit- fully and by brief snatches. But to return to young birds: Peep, peep, in a prolonged whistling tone, comes trom the edge of the field towards the woods. ‘The gentle housewife thinks surely her young turkeys have not wandered thus far from the house, and hastens to the door to listen more closely. Perhaps she takes her bonnet and searches the fence corners carefully on that side of the *\Written early in September. se 8 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. field. She never thinks of looking in the top of the large oak for the producer of these supposed familiar notes. This is the first rude element of the red-tailed hawk’s scream. ‘There are the old birds soaring high in the blue; every now and then we hear their piercing whe-air. The world is a jargon of young voices. Morning, noon and night the groves resound with impetuous cries, which indicate the presence of hungry mouths to be filled. The junior Baltimore orioles are lending their share to the monotone. ‘Two broods were _reared in the grove and now as they find that the power of aerial navigation is theirs, no tree is large enough for two of them! - Stationed in different sections of the grove, they each vie with the others in making the loudest demonstrations for food. ‘The wood pewee (Contopus virens) has her nest in one of the hickory trees. It is placed on a horizontal limb some fifteen feet from the ground. The two little inmates are not quite able to fly. The nest is almost a model structure. The grass and fine shreds which form the framework are beautifully decorated with lichens. ‘The mother has a novel way of securing food for her young. Perched ona dead limb only a few feet from the nest, she waits patiently till au insect of the fly characteristics comes her way; then, quick as thought, she takes a circle, you hear the snap of her beak, and she regains her perch, only to repeat the operation in a few moments. Occasionally she goes to the nest to give a portion of the food to the young, which are exceptionally quiet for members of the avian class. Perhaps they are lulled to sleep by the continuance of the low sir-ree-ce-ce-ee-e of the mother, which is probably to them what the ‘‘Rock-a-by-baby” was to us. This species greatly resembles in form and habits its larger relative, the phoebe (Sayornis phabe), only being of a more solitary nature, The phoebe, with which every schoolboy is familiar, seems to have made a complete reformation from its primitive habits. It once was aretired bird, nesting on the sides of rocks of high cliffs along our streams. New every bridge along our pndlic highway has its phoebo’s nest—every farmyard in which are a number of outbuildings possesses the same. I have always been some what partial to low thickets of un- dergrowth for studying my feathered friends. Less than a month ago these copses were serenaded with the richest melody. I step into a thicket of thornbushes, and at once am greeted with angry i \ Ae ete A Fee, oo tek fer ee eS THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 9 cries and. chirpings from two yellow-breasted chats (leteria virens), Knowing that I must be in close proximity with the nest, I begin scanning closely the bushes near by. I soon find the nest, which is ina thornbush about four feet from the ground. ‘Two young, neatly grown, are the only occupants, ‘This is undoubtedly a sec- ond brood, as four and sometimes five constitute a brood. The chat is an elegant bird, both in form and colors. Color above, light olive green; beneath, bright yellow; beak black and ‘strong. His voice is very loud and not unmusical during the spring months. No sooner do you enter his retreats on a June day than you are serenaded with a variety of notes which were it not for the inferior quality would equal the mocking bird—the quan- THE YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. tity is not lacking. At this season the chat has a peculiar idiotic flight. With legs extended, head drooped and rapid motion of his wings, he makes an awkward zigzag flight, giving one the impres- sion that he is liable to fly to pieces. When young birds claim his attention he proves that he possesses good sense and is a faithful attendant. Continuing my walk in the thicket. my attention is at- tracted by the loud cries of a young bird. Itis acowbird (dZo/o- thrus ater) the only occupant of a yellow warbler’s (Vendroica @stiva) nest. The bird is nearly fledged, being now much larger than the little warbler who is carrying its food with all the tender- ness of a true mother; while the cowbird that laid the egg 10 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. is roaming the fields in company with a number of her kind, evinc- nig no concern whatever of her offspring, The only species coming under my observation that objected to the cowbird’s egg in its nest is the notorious kingbird. For a week I made daily visits to an old orchard where a pair of king— bird’s had their nest in one of the apple trees. I watched them as they brought the last material for the nest and counted the eggs each morning as they were laid--one, two, three,—but on the mor- ning when I expected to find the fourth, on approaching the tree I saw that a stranger was on the nest. I cannot say Ee _ whether I or the stranger saw the other first. Nevertheless Lady r Cowbird made short work of slipping off the nest and reaching the nearest woodland. She not even paused long enough to give mea morning salutation as the kingbird was in the habit of doing. Upon investigation the nest was found to contain three of the king- bird’s eggs and one of the cowbird’s. Returning in about an hour to see how matters were at the kingbird home, lady “rannus was on the nest and all seemed quiet. But lo! the poor cowbird egg was not in the nest nor under the nest, nor could it be found any where. Undoubtedly Master Kingbird had removed it. He would not allow his beloved mate to be converted into a foster parent. Knowing that in order to find life in any abundance one must traverse some water course. Life in all forms is mest abundant near water. And especially is this true during the long sultry days of August when the freshness of the deep shady ravines is sought for asa retreat from the burning heat. I follow along a small stream until it runs into the main creek. Not far away is a ‘palace of reeds” built by nature’s own hand, on a low bluff of the creek’s east bank. ‘This palace of reeds is handsomely furnished with a mossy log for asofa. I find quite a number of feathered folk athome, ‘They are all busy preparing the morning meal, The blue-winged teal (Aas discors) has her family of seven pretty children out a few yards in the marsh, teaching them how to swim and secure their own food. ‘They seem to be having a jolly good time and do not notice that there isu stranger at their door. ‘The nest in which these little ones were hatched is not fer away, a snug affair, tucked neatly away among the reeds and grass and formed of fine dry grass, lined with-a little gray down. Yonder on a dead snag is a marsh hawk (Czrcus hudsonius), His little ones have been large enough to shift for themselves for THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. Tate some time. And in what marsh they feed is now unknown. But he prefers to stay near the old home until approaching winter drives him toa southern clime. His nest was on higher ground to the north where the ground is covered with sticks, twigs and small branches, and grown up with young poplars and hazel of two or three feet in height. Five is the usual number in a marsh hawk family. AMES 1808. September 21, 22, and 23. The Fourth Annual Congress of the Iowa Ornithological will convene September 21, 22, and 23, 1898 at Ames, Iowa. A cordial invitation is extended to all interested in our work to be present. The leading Ornithologists in the state will be there and this will undoudtedly be the greatest and most successful of any meeting thus far held in the history of the association. The reading of papers upon the various phases of our science and the discussion of thesame, will be the main features of the congress. At our last congress the work of our association was divided in- to a number of committees, and the chief of each committee was authorized to commence, at once, an exhaustive paper upon his department head—and this to be read at the next congress. Thus these persons have had time to make ample and thorough prepar- ation for their papers, and they will undoubtedly be able to pre- sent much valuable scientific material. By no means, is it to be understood that papers are to be restrict- ed to these members, but all members of the Iowa Ornithological Association and all ornithologists are invited to prepare a paper for thiscongress- Send the subject of your paper, and state the length of time it will occupy, to Wilmon Newell, Ames, Iowa, by the 20th of September, so that the program may be arranged. The ornithologists at Ames are sparing no time in preparing for thecongress: They write that the Ornithological Museum of the Ames Agricultural College has recently undergone a complete re- atrangement, now making this extensive collection readily ac- cessible to both general and scientific students. ‘This will be open during the entire congress. For any further information address— Wiimon Newer, Ames, Ia. 12 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST, The Editor’s Message. Gigantic co-operation is necessary in this age of the world. — Less than a century ago Audubon and Wilson traversed the wilds — of our continent and found new birds on every hand, new species to be described, studied and potrayed. At the present time, I am justified in saying, that from Atlantic to Pacific, there is not one species which has not been discovered. — Morever there is much that is highly interesting which remainsto — be learned concering the life history of our birds. It takes much ~ ime and careful study to find out and determine new facts concern- — ng the birds. Such investigation can be carried on to great ad- vantage by a number of students in certain regions banding them- — selves together and combining the results of their observations. © To this end the Iowa Ornithological Association was organized. It has completed its fourth successful year. Its members have — stood for the accumulation of ornithological literature on the birds — of our state and for the protection of our feathered friends, At present we stand firmer than ever before, and look upon — a future of unbounded possibilities, Co-operation is the secret of our success. The lowA ORNITHOLO- — Gist is here to protect the interests of our winged creatures and © to publish valuable scientific material in lasting form. a In appreciation of the honor which has been conferred upon me ~ by the fellow members of the I. O. A.—by thrice appointing me to © the Editor’s chair—I wish to heartily thank the subscribers and © members for their words of encouragement and co-operation. : Other duties involving upon me make it my unpleasant task to — tender my resignation as Editor of the Iowa OrNITHOLOGIST. a Linked with the natural regret at the severing in a way of old ties, fully valued by me, I feel assured the place will be filled by — one quite as competent, as there are manyin the association who — possess more literary ability and push than the former editor. Rest assured, then kind reader that the JowA OrNITHOLOGIST will — not only retain all its present characteristic and original features, — but will continually add new ones of unusual interest. E While laying aside the editorial pen, Ishall occasionally write upon my favorite subject and when indulging insuch a pleasurable — pastime, I shall remember my first love, the lowA OrINTHOLOGIST, ~ and hope that my many friends and former contributors will follow ~ the example and help along the good werk. be Yours truly; Davin L. SAVAGE. DOSDOOOS CO Ornithology. and @) Atey O} @) Oe @) vigrn we. Me acter ne Sy satin tah YOOOOOG COOOGG GOOSOOOE AX. Moe 7}! We Pees er Praen hts bea pt WR alge ged Gade leat dese ‘Go orien ‘under open ite And lis’t to Nature Steachings % Weitieaans figae > ) 00LOGY.. rarer UC) an oe ae 40 Genie Per Year. Miike’ 14k} rates : Sy eae x Waeteedon y en), i he Ne Pinas “! ¥ : 7 “ 4 wit ee ee { hin oS any ae Blt ety ae mee yy — yn a “Wad. ie eA re mar oh } re a , ae American Ornithologists ts! . The American Woodcock . Hooded Warbler ae a sich “Notes son sth Birds of lowa "4 - crate - Dyrannidac, Alaudid " Piedbitled Grebe. “Towa Grottnnoncs ‘acnocta id yon e m esd Peculiar Nesting Site. : “General Notes of Interest —~ G Lo TOMLINSON. Printer. : * a 2 v ee ACNE Bers ee s Mach Tavidermy ¢ eg, ence ees ci ed ae is s profusely illustrated with fine. engravings. a fine engraving of. both. ‘male | and female Pheebe; a full page a nest of the Parkman’ S Wren in tien Year, Sample copy Dec, No, Free. When answering advertisertetes mention Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST.. ee ‘The te is ee wet so popular among “Naturalists ; throughout. the United states? The ‘December number contains half- tone (from. photograph) of a tin-can; an engraving of each the Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, — and the Bank Swallow; a half- pin "page engraving of Steller’s Jay: a fine engraving of Violets; and nun.erous others. All these en- gtavings are ne by” cs good AELICLES mcr: ek ‘The ONLY ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY — IN” THE. U. S) FOR ile. PRICE. ees G. B. CHENEY, | - Oregon City, AG ap O. Box 407. Ores ws] : gi, Revolvers, | cron pe tteRifles, as et = Ss aot Etc, ‘ _—— Agraat Western aS a Ss ai Posi ronp @onWorks,Pittaburgh,Fa ! Pocket rifles and shot guns $5.'to $10. | ae Extra light dbl. B.Lshot guns 44 cal. « «single B.L.shot gun all bores Sheet Cartridges, shells, and loading tools > - Write for special Taxidermist list. Address James .H. Johnson, Great Western Gun Wolke” ENG PHes Fa "Attention. a mae Although this is owe the. second ‘issue ORNITHOLOGIST at already mide many warm. issue, if you receive one of them, send i in your s su at once; because the next SAMPLE Copy may not YOU. You can’t afford to. miss it, so subse Forty cents, only, will insure you one year’s st four numbers, and every one ‘interesting, va nicely illustrated. And in addition you will — the good work of establishing an - Ornitho!cgical in the Mississippi Valley. Those who wish to their subscription with the first number can do The following is the contents of that Bas VOL. To NO es Notes on the Birds of Iowa, (Fringilladae, Mniot The Crossbill in Iowa. ne: Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley ig The Opening Address. The Iowa Ornithological Association, ie Our Special Work. General Notes of Interest. I believe that you will agree” ‘that oe ‘numl this one are worth ¢ .40, The next step for : to put $,40, (4 dimes securely wrapped or order) ina letter andaddress to the publisher; = DAVID A L. SAVAGE, a By APRIL, r8o5. x ‘QUARTERLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO : Be oat AND OOLOGY. mee 10 Cents | Per Wedie PUBLISHED FOR THE iowa ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. Fm he Se Ts - 8 VARIETIES 30 VARIETIES ’ 10 VARIETIES 50 35-VARIETIES 15 VARIETIES 75. 40 VARIETIES 20 VARIETIES 1.00 45 VARIETIES fe 25 VARIETIES 1.25. 50 VARIETIES ; orde®. My new catalogue for sprage” Instruments, Supplies, equally as cheap. stock the year round. “FRED W. STACK. ie 4 Out Association - = alate. iene a pie ea y~' LD y Ad aly eee ‘ Notes, on .the,,Bitds of loway.. (ax. s >=. or » Corvidae, Tanagridae, Hirundinidae, The Hooded Warbler Constitution of the I, O. A. ere Notes of Interest | ee G. L. TOMLINSON. © Printer. os mi pn q nog © Midtana Monthly? = Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent == the best Midland Talent, which proves to be sur- => prisingly good. -onty $1.50 a vear. INS =e | = on { —s <> = Address us direct or write to v = JOHNSON BRIGHAM PUBS. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, IA. Ney Salih iiaz 4 5 " ip ~ < "a for Price List, GunWorks,Pittsburch, Pats? Pocket rifles and shot guns $5. to $10. Extra light dbl, B.L shot guns 44 cal. - * «single B,L.shot gun all bores Shot Cartridges, shells, and loading tools _ Write for special Taxidermist list. Address James H. Johnson, Great Western Gun Works, Pittsburg, Pa. “Do You Want To Learn How FRANK B. ARMSTRONG, | TAXIDERMIST, pans and Collector and Dealer in j Bird-and Mammal Skins, wees Birds Eggs in fine sets, Mounted. Birds - sit and Animals. ee Alta Mira, Estado de Tamaulipas, eas ‘ To Do Taxidermic Work, tae If So Subscribe For The a OREGON NATURALIST. The Best Illustrated Monthly Megane cs of Natural History on the Pacific coast. | Subscription 50 cents per year may commence with any number. — March number tells how to skin birds, ~ with receipts for making Pe soaps and powders. The Brown Pelicans _ nesting on Bird Key, and many other in- — teresting’ articles. Address, = D, M. AVERILL & CO,. P.O: Box 253. Portland Oregon. - mission chargec. request. KET PRICES. HELENA, MONT. CHICAGO, ILL. 128 Michigan St. Goods bought right out; no com- Fair selection; immediate returns. * Shipping tags furnished frce. upon There is HO DUTY on Furs orany i.) Other goods we handle. 7 @sWrite for Circular giving Ship- * pirg Directions and LATEST MAR- Jas. McMillan & Incorporated. Hd : 200-212 First Avenue North si RAIN HOUSE ; pm a Ale MINN. : BRANCHES: SEI> US rouUR sae 2 VICTORIA, B.C WINNIPEG, MAN. 39 laneley St. i 178 viiaceas St. x wrap ejay : New Subscribers ‘Wante ‘sh TOR THE, rent iNBeaRacels er) -Jowa Ornithologist. Basie DURIRG- THE REXT THIRTY DAYS, see ‘On.account of the low pdpscuiption rates of 7 ~sctibers (as do many O. & O. magazines), "howe co believe that when a lover of nature: “subscribes for a maga- zine, itis not for the sake of getting a premium, but for ~» information to be found in the publication. The best gui _.antee as to the. valuable information. which our- publication vauee ~ contains, is in the words of praise which we have Feceived: ‘Phe following are a-few of them: ne ide ‘The first number of the Iowa OrNITHOLOGIST, consist noe Twenty-six pages of very creditible matter. The” leading ar aon the Firiches atid Warblers of Iowa, contains much valu ap __ information.”—A4 vw. wa have read the second number of the IowA ORNITHOL I . a me "purpose to which itis devoted. [heartily congratulate pent tt your enterprise and trust you may have abundant SE ng OO W. Clarke, Washington, D.C. ty sui Jn er teen ot AR examination of your magazine. ‘convinces me that ata . well worth the support of every person for whom it was intende “o mnay it it live long and prosper.”—W. J. Wirt, Gaines. N.Y. 7 Teg weer “Received sample copy of the Iowa OxnrrHoLocist. I fin ties it very interesting and full-of valuable and well sedate bin _—Glover M. Allen, Newton, Mass. STF every.number will be as good as the J anuary,. I can afford to be without it.”F. L. Hankinson, Lansing, Mich. ap ~s ot - ‘The magazine is simply indispensible ‘to. every. bird lov _ working n naturalist. The idea that it is in the hands of an as by ation—not a one man affair—makes it mitch more stable. on eyes of its readers. Send in your subscription at once. cand. poy Can.assure you that you-will not regret it,» Back numbers— will I furnished as long as they last, or you may commence yout L “ghee scription with any number. Stair ge OG OLC Ras ae ™ ee The IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST re w Salem; Iowa. : oe forth under the i = A QUARTERLY “MAGAZINE DEVOTED. TO. ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. ee 40. Cents Per. Vedtagseie scinheaae te ED FOR rane SEs mere = yrty Bird's Eggs. O00 0DDDD0000000 bie Dir VARIETIES jad os 30 VARIETIES Vras = 10 VARIETIES 50 35 VARIETIES 15 VARIETIES. 75 40 VARIETIES 20 VARIETIES 100 45 VARIETIES 25 VARIETIES . 1,25 50 VARIETIES Bs > he eae stock the vede Panay ' FRED W. STACK, ao: N.Y é ft ‘The lowa Ornithologist COMMENCES VOLUME x ; WITH THE - OOTOBER PUMB fs Vol. 2 will be more interesting Hen Vo 1, « shall improve with every issue. aS and © i: L if this is not true. — hoe pW aes : Renew Your subscription at onée, if it expi e i this number, and when you send it in, send in the scription of one or more of 5 your friends. Dre A: E,. FOOTE, 1224-26-28 North Forty-first Street, oe ce Javan Minerals, and Scientia Books, Largest and most comsisite stock in the world. SYSTEMATIC COLLECTIONS, evenly covering the Science of Miner- alogy. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, illustrat- ing the various ores, the uses of minerals, their physical properties &c. are furnished at lowest prices. Minerats for Laboratory and experimental work. RARE AND CHOICE Cabinet Speci- mens for Museums and advanced collectors EspeciaA, ATTENTION is given to selection of material for studen- ie coystall- &e. ts and investigators ography, microscopy; &c. 1 EO Recent additions to stock. Carcite. In splendid scaleno- hedrons from’i to 18 inches in diameter, containing ‘phantoms’ of Marcasite, some of ue larger crystals showing tiuts of amethy- stine and honey-yellow color div- ided by lines of bright Marcasite cry stals 25c to $10. 06. ICELAND Spar. Where partic- ularly clear or finely colored mat- erial was found, we sacrificed cry- Stallization and obtained from Sead for cur Complete parts of large crystals, what we believed to be the most beautiful rhombs of Iceland Spar ever seen. ‘They show perfect transparency save for the exquisite coloring of yellow and various amethyst shades, and the bands of brilliant spear shaped Marcasite crystals. Thesmnall cleavages at 10c to 25c ate as fine quality as the cab- inet specimens of higher price and imake a novel addition to the collection of microscopist or ame- teur. DiaASPHORE CRYSTALS. the recent find made Mass., was Secured by us. ylet-colored crystals of hi, h tre and perfect crystallization ap planted on the emery. mak- specimens of a type new to zit $2.00 to $15.00. mall groups and Microscopic specimens, 50c to $1,50. ZEOLITES FROM OREGON: A new locality rivaling Nova Scotia in the excellence of its. Chabazites, Stilbites, Natrolites, Thompson- ites. Also Lorandite, Kylindrite, All of Chester, Clear, at > C a iS) GQ © Cc QO (e) 7 +t pore Os. S (ap) ove Caswelite, Emeralds. Onyx. Sphalerite, etc. Boxes of miner- als sent for examination, List of new arrivals. (In ordering book catalogues mention subject in which you are interested. ) “CATALOGUE OF MINERALS.” Fully illustrated, 128 pages, 10c. Bound 20c. Advertise in THE lowa Ornithologist. The ées¢ advertising medium to reach all Naturalist. Try its columns and sze for yourself. lf You Want interesting Reading about the Birds of Oregon suoscrive for the OREGON NATURALIST. The best iilustrated Mavazine «t Natural On: the -Paciiesceast SUBSCRIPRION s0c Per VEAR, may commence with any num- ber. June number, has among others, articles on. the Sharp tailed Grouse of Oregon. Why Night-Hawks do not build nests, Half-tones of Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake, Hunters Camp, Gla- cierson Mt. St. Helens, Cut of Loon. Cut of Indian Idol, ete. Each issue is replete with in- formation for the working Orni- thologist and Naturalists. Address D, M. AVERILL, & CO P. O. Box, 253. Portland, Mi WN biistory Oregon, NEW COLLECTING PISIOL. 9 INCH, 5 SHOT $3.95, _ A Low PricEp COLLECTION OF EGGS. Hider Duck, Murre, R. Bill Auk, Aim. Herring Gull, Brown Pelican, Royal. Tern, Ca- bot’s ‘ern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Mocking bird, Red-wing Blackbird, Brown ‘i‘hrasher, Cat- bird, Boat tailed Grackle. All Al postpaid for $1.06. CURIOS. Horse Crab, iiddler. Crab, Craw I'i-b, Skates eggs, Star Wish; Glass Dig BPoitle, Cotton Frog, Sea Urchin, Cod Fish Story, by mail for 50 cents. Special Sale on Glass Eyes for 60 Days! BADGES A collection of 22 assorted badges, Cleveland and Harrison, campaign of 88: a good relic, Wiil sell the lot for 50 cents post paid. Lowest prices in the country. Send 10 cents for new catalogue 1895, and you will receive all the lists we send out during 1895. You will see some good bargains. BRANK B. WEBSTER Co. HYDE PARK MASS. aturalist’s Supply Depot. THE KBERSOLDS LO PEN Sais COLLECTORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS We make collections and photo- eraph everything oi interest to be found.on the Kast coast of Florida, Shelis, Curios, Bird Skins, and rges, Alligator and other animal skins, Teeth and Skulls, Curious Fishes, Snakes, Butterflies, Bugs, and Moths. Beautiful Hard Woods Eotanical Spccimens, etc.- write to ustor anything you want and if we do not have it in stock will do our best to secure it for you Send 25 or 50 cents for a col- lection of Shells, Photographs, aud Curios. Address. D. S. EBERSOLD, Oceanus, Brevard Co., Florida. [A \ F | stamp S for Price List. a. Ce ete y Pocket rifles and shot guns $5 to $10. Extra light dbl. B. L. shot guns, 44 cal. «single B.L, shot gun ali bores Shot Cartridges, Shells and loading tools Write for special Taxidermist | st. Address James H. Johnson, Great Western Gun Works, Pittsburg. Pa. You wlil have to get one Of those new styles of Chalcedona Geo es from the Dakota Bad Lands for 25c. pst paid. Like frost sparkling in the sun inside. Going like hot cakes. Quantity limited. A point of Wine colored Barite, Yellow Calcite, deep Rose Quartz. Gold Ore, Tin Ore, Towmaline, Quartz Crystal, Wavelight, for 50 cents post paid. One each, Arrowhead, Seabean, Pecter Shell, Rose Coral, Pentremite, Fossil nut, Watch charm opera glass, and Satin Soar stick pin all post paid $1.00, Send stamp for price-list of Minerals, fossils, Indian relics, etc. BLACK HILLS NAT. HIST. ESTAB. Of ee STILE WELL, Deadwood, South Dakota. FRANK B. ARMSTRONG, —TAXIDERMIST,.— and Collector and Dealer in Bird and Mammal Skins. Birds Eggs in fine sets. Mounted Birds and Animals. Alta Mira, Estado de Tamaulipas Mexico. eLEASANT FIELDS AND WOODLANDS [f you are fond o1 fresh air and restful, riralre- treats, read GAMELAND, ihe gentle magazine of outdoor life. It reveals virgin woods and waters. Yearly,to anyadcress,$1 Three trial numbers, 2&c. No free copies. Gamr- LAND Pups. Co., 13 Astor Place, New York, N.Y. With lowa O.nithc!ogist $1.20 per year. The “Eclipse” Curiosity Cabinet. £: “Dp EL AMY LOD A Contains Chinese Poker chips, Chinese napkin, Clpinese lottery ticket. Star fish, Giant Tree Bark, Cal. Red Sea- bean, Alligator Tooth. 3 Yellow wax shells, Marine Algae, Gypsum crystals, Bloody tooth Shells. Chinese Cash coln. 3 Boat Shells. Egg of Periwinkle. Drab sea bean. Sunflower coral. Three Money Cowries and Fossil crinoid. . All labeled, name and locality, and in partitioned box exactly like cut. Sent post paid 25c. Reliable stamp and coin guide 64 pages giving prices paid for all For- eign and U. S. coins and stamps, 15c. Chinese chop sticks, ebony 10 in. long 10 c a pair. Chinese Cash coins 4 for 10c. Indian arrow heads 4 for 25c Cabinet of 15 varieties minerals 25c. Send silver or stamps. Keke BART Phila 100 State St. Rockford, I. When answering advertisments, mention JIowA OrRNITHOLOGIST. CAVEATS, [RADE MARKs COPYRIGHTS. CAN I OBTAIN A PATENT? For a Rus answer and an honest opinion, write to ZUNN & CO., who have had nea fifty years’ experience in the patent business. Communica- tions strictly confidential. A Handbook of In- formation concerning Patents and how to ob- tain them sent free. Also a catalogue of mechan- ical and scientific books sent free. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive spool notice in the Scientific American, and thus are brought widely before the public with- out cost to the inventor. This splendid issued weekly, elegantly illustrated, has b largest circulation of any scientific work in the world. $3 ayear. Sample copies sent free. Building Edition, monthly, $2.50 a year. Single copies, ‘2-5 cents. Every number contains beau- tiful plates, in colors, and photographs of new houses, with plans, enabling builders to show the latest designs and secure contracts. Address MUNN & CO., NEW YORK, 361 BROADWAY. aper, ar the F RA N k H. A N ce Re EES ’ Sl _-PUBLISHER Or— = WHY DON’T YOU TAKE = a : — -» THE... | = e ea The Qologist, = Midiand [fonthly? &, —> —— AN D > It is beautifully and profusely illustrated and its ) e |= Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent “72> =, the best Midland Talent, which proves to be sur- 2S Natural Science esr = = onty $1.50 a vear. —H = ' —— ews. = a = Address us direct or write to = JOBBER IN => ; ae —) JOHNSON BRIGHAM =) SREG! M ENS, INSTRUM ENTS, SU P- => PUS. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, IA. = PLIES, AND PUBLICATIONS FOR Nihil Ne THE NATURALIST. rks ~) ears Neg QoVAVAVVeWIVWVWVIWN 2 2TVWwy THE OoLoGist isa 32 page WEBSTER’S magazine established by ‘‘Lattin” : INTERNATIONAL in 1884, devoted to Birds, their ; —— ——— nests and eggs; and is of special @ Abreast if the Times DICTIONARY. interest to all Teachers, Sports- ee men, Naturalists, and Curio Col- © lectors. During 1894 it attained an average monthly circulation | of 4,167 copies. It is recognized” | everywhere as the leading medium through which to reach the class for whom it is published. Over 50 zew ads. appear in each issue, and its patrons, withrarely an exception says ‘‘7¢ pays.” Saceessor of the “© . nabriegeéeu.”’ Standard of the | U.S. Govt Print | j » Offce, the U.S. OHipreme Court and cs Vrearly au the Scr eoikoo!s. Voarmly eom- tre1 aed by every $ a.e uj erinten- «ens! of Schools, and otter Educa- tois alnost with- ous Lumber. PEs ee = : ” f . ¢ ee AB ‘ Lattins,” Clearance Sale price- § (GSA saving of three cents per day fora list. © year will provide more vban enough money ‘S to: purebase a copy of the International. T , 4 é © >. Coats neeea ec 4 ‘ om oO Alw ays address every thing S Can you afford to be without 16° YY .2C.MERRIAY O., Publishers, CpringSeld, “css., U.S.A. : == Send fo the pubiishers for free pamphlet. » =37 })o not buy cheap repriuts of ancient editions. LIUPA ELTA plainly and in full. Frank H.. Lattin, ALBION, N, Y. BTV VY il Ogee “WANTS EXGHARGES ARD FOR SALES, Ppiier special announcements, ‘‘Wants,” les,” inserted in this department, free to all Members of the and to all subscribers of the IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. “DEALERS” can use these columns at Regular Advertising Rates Only. SR ot ‘‘Hixchanges,” SABINET Puoros of birds, fests, enery, etc.,in exchange for first- ss sets with data. Many com- Of species wished. Send for reular. -K. B. Webster, Cresco, WanTEep.—Back numbers of the nithologist and Oologist, persons havine same please write, stating ndition and lowest cash price. avid L. Savage, Salem, lowa. Dava BLANKS. ---Printed to your tder, in exchange for sets of mimon birds’ eges. Send copy, state number wanted and what u “are willing to exchange aase Webster. oeeteee Wanren. i Dee $5.00 Ege Thave uo offer in ex- etters eat We ale Wirt. ines, N. Y. IRDS OF lowa,’’—By Keys and Jilliams. 1888. Will pay cash or this book. I also will give d exchange or cash for any scond hand Ornithological book. avid L. Savage, Salem, Iowa. » To Excuance.—A small col- tion of 40 different, first class ‘singles without data, for back 1umbers of Ornithological pub- ations. Send stamp for list. C. Smith, Decorah, Iowa. ‘ ORNITHOLOGISTS atid OoLOGISTS send your full mame and address © (printed if convenient.) free insertion in Mughes Annual ~ List. State if you have collection and desire exchauges. A copy, handsomely bound, sent postpaid one to every paper, devoted to Natural ~~ History copying this notice, and mailing paper containing same, — before September: 1st. Walter H. Hughes, Grand Rapids, Mich. To EXCHANGE.-—Is8t class“Bot= w anical specimens correctfy classi- either mounted or unmount- > fied, ed, forsame not in my collection. Correspondence especially desired — with Botanists in Dakota, Kan-. | sas and Nebraska. Will also ex- | change skins for above. Please send list. Wilmon Newell, Hull, ea Jowa. f WANTED, To ExcHANGE.—Ist- class Mt. spec. Birds’ eggs insets and singles, bird skins, curios etc. | for collecting gun, standard works © ain Or OLN ey arm on Natural History, bb shot gun, 38 or. 44 cal. rifle: Parties having anything in ihe line of sporting goods, write me. | W. W.. Searles, Lime Springs, Ia. Taxidermist. WHEN ANSWERING ADVERTIS- MENTS please do us a favor and — mention that you saw the ad. i the IowA ORNITHOLOGIST. For« J emaby OS Lee ABN Ate ig gp Pat elem! 7 iter nee i act, Vane FS = er Se eee an ht) Sei y * iw 5 Pha Ne Em Se sige lar Eee ta at Tai) aa @ , eee at Teme hes ie i ol “ Siciess Lat ae al Aig Bl FRWE!S e. Bn. a poe ers) crear rele ih : r my x ee . dé ~ > § ey hd Ke ceed a ad a Sede ipo s *S ni enesmge : in am ewee ia POEL’ Aa te a ae hey } mene we ae os = - PEW JUNE. LIST OF Birds EGGS,.u me: HIST issued. ~Unheard’ of Bargains. oem New Devithotagishe and oe = ~ - Oologists’ Manual ies Going like: Hot Cakes, — Price still 25 cents, Usa -copies. 50 cents. ssiadada ad ah WALTER F. WEBB, a ex The Naturalist N , Collec a dae aeetnves . Cie in sae A 32 page, illustrated a eae magazine, ~ige a “Hie study of Ornithology, Mam malovy, Rotem Taxid 2 me Hyehalugs: and General Zoology. ct ee _ Each and every number esti 2 and retiioete Sh Ou, biehe first day of each month and contains 32°C = pages of finely illustrated matter, printedson fine: book pa ar — with a heavy colored cover,=:-a veritible “Eqition De i PES abe Vey tha tite cs Amat pee a 44 “-" *78 cents per year. aE ses 10 cents Pe THE: SHOOP PUBLISHING CO. y Se = ABINGDON, TLAANOTS,, ‘‘Go forth under the op2n ‘sky, And list to Nature’s teachings.” — jOSOON™: pi Quarterly Magazine — devoted to... Ornithology if Oology zcreeee Published for hy MS te | ‘Jie Jowa Ornithological cy cal es Association — a SSS SS SSIS OW SS SSIS SSI SSIS u aS SAS eS AS SASASEISSES Sz wees tee eeeee eee Birds Extinct in Iowa and Those Becoming So, Paul Bartsch, Tae Bird Laws of Iowa and Laws that are Needed, i H. Brute 3 ay The Duck Hawk, Geo. H. Burge, é - = - - ae Dick, E. B. Webster, = “ - ~ Hi es E = i ee P Asod’s Wisdom in Concealing, = - - - a - io 20 A Word From the Editor, * = - = 2 zi 22 ; : What You Missed by Not Attending the Congress at Iowa City, “22° Vireonidz; Subject for Special Study, . - : - 23 é The Downy Woodpecker, Fd. S:-Cursieio7-3 = = ait Bg 4 First Annual Congress of the I. O. A., J.. Eugene Law, Sec’y, 23 Constitution and By-laws of the I. O. A., a = Members of the I. O. A., October, 1895, - 3 se 3 Exchange Department, . . - ot Uae 30 2 THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST FOR JANUARY Pec A NR This number will open with a full page illustration of the Pin-tail Duck, accompanied by the paper, 2 £4 “SEA BIRDS THAT. VISIT IOWA” which was read before the First Congress of I. O. A. by* Frank H. Shoemaker. As guite a number of our readers are Teachers, for their oe benefit we will have the article, Encouragement of Nature Study, i. e., Ornithology, in the High School, by Prof. Chas, A. Schaeffer, President of the State University. The NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF IOWA will be continued, the family’ Vireonide is the chosen one, and Mr. John V. Crone will compile the ~~ notes that the members ot I. O. A. send in, .Undoubtedly these notes will be the most complete that have been published. Mr. W. W. Loomis in his paper The Protection of Our Birds, will give some very interesting and instructive ideas, In addition to ‘ther at tractive features, already mentioned, there will be two pages devoted to Ornithological News and review of Recent Publications. age “Bei if cCily $1.50. - FLORIDA SHELLS. In reach of all. Cheaper than the cheapest. Now is the time to start a collection, Strombus alatus, 2 to 34 inches..... 4c Fulgur perversus, 3 to 8 inch....... 6c Fasciolaria tulipa, 2 to 6 inch ae distans, 1 to 3 inches...4c “i filamentosa, I to 3 inch..2c Cardium magnum, 3! to 4 inches. 6c ‘““ muricatum, 14% in. single val. 1c I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ‘ serratium, I to 24% inch ...... 3c g. Arca ponderosa, 2to 3 inch.. ..... 3c Io Bed OCC Rae TOWAMAINCIAN. 6 c's. fc sacoc ae ese 3c II ‘floridanum, 2 to 244 inch... .. 3c 12. Cytherea[callista] gigantea, 3 to 5..10c 13 sf maculata, 1 to 24¢..6c 14. Natica duplicata,1tog3inch........ 2c 35. Chama Arcinella, 1 to2inch........ 5c TOME Oosmira Giscus.2°to 4ineh’. 2.2.22... 5c 17 Pholas costatus, 3 to 6 in.double val.15c 18. Murex pomum,1 to3 inch.......... 3c 19 ie salleanus, 1 to3inch.. ...... 5c 20. Pyrula papyratia, 3to5inch........ 8c 21. Pecten exasperatus, 44 to 3 in.single 1c 22. Conus Floridanus, 94 tc¢1 inch .... 2c proteus, 1to 3 inch 24. Pinna muricata, 4 to 10 inch 25, Lucina edentula, 144 to 3 in. single..2c 26. Cancellaria carolinensis, 1 to1l4g ...3¢c PHO Mar itterata UT tOl2%6 0.00.65 Ley oe 2G 28. Anomia ephippium, 1 to 2lg inch....1¢ 29. Melongena subcoronata, 2 to 6in..8c 30. Cerithium eburnum, 1 to 14% inch ...3c Semuuinmitellar tonto lth 2... 2 vie ce 2c Pome Mitta oe NING hie OSes. ae ale Lc Pewee Vianoinelliay Ay inehy seks se ee ee 2c 34. Largeliver sea bean 3c, black band- ed sea bean 2c,.grey sea beans....1¢ BS), SIGZWOEENTSI SE Gee IBale eels Acne ire 15¢ 36. Conch spawn ribbon, 18 to 24 in....20c 3G): SUSANES ERS ER Ore Eee ane ae 5c 38. Rose coral, shaped like arose......10C BOmeOMmGaalmiplamtS esses os cere see 10C HOMMMIBATEOTbSGALC Sando ils, oclnj ccs see diecihenee 2c $ 2.15 Retail price for the above 4o specimens is $2.15 by our price list. We will send any one of the above numbered specimens up- on receipt of -price quoted, or the entire collection, 40 specimens, upon receipt of We gather our ownshells and ther oulv firs. class shells. By compar- ym our prices will be found a half lower an other dealers, because we are right ithe coast and are put to no extra ex- se. Give me an order and you will be convinced. Send stamp for price list. J. ©. Baker, llyers, Lee Co., Fla. Successors to Baker & Hanson. ~ ABMRERURELUAADEareErunannnunccurannunennenannnuanunennnenenannanununee When Writing. To Advertisers always mention this magazine. COLLECTORS If you desire first class Florida Speci- mens of MOUNTED BIRDS, SNAKES, ANIMALS, ALLIGATORS, ETC., OR SKINS, SKULLS, SKELETONS, AND EGGS, Write to me before yon purchase. You may have something to exchange that I want. If net, I can furnish you fine FLORIDA SPECIMENS CHEAPER THAN ANYONE I coll. ct myself and furnish first class data with everything you get. Write me for list of what I carry in stock. I also keep on hand Live Birds, Snakes, Animals, Alligators, Chameleons, Liz- ards, and other things. A large as- sortment of ALCOHOLIC SPECIMENS, Es- PECIALLY SNAKES, in stock. A coltection of Florida Snakes is beautiful in Alcohol. First class. Taxidermy Work at lowest prices. A. M. NICHOLSON, Box 404. Orlando, Fla. Enclose stamp for reply. ~ QURRUEDERAAEDUEBUEUAAUITEREUURELDADERUULEALUUARUUEEUuEaEaunenuuEneEE: Dou will bave to get one Ot those new styles of Chalcedona Geodes from the Dakota Bad Lands for 25c post paid. Like frost spark- ling iz the sun inside. Going like hot cakes. Quantity limited. A point of Wine colored Barite, Yellow Calcite, deep Rose Quartz, Gola Ore, Tin Ore, Towmaline, Quartz Crystal, Wave- light, for 50 cents post paid. One each, Arrowhead, Seabean, Pecter Shell, Rose Coral, Pentremite, Fossil nut, Watch charm opera glass, and Satin Spar stick pin all post paid $1.00, Black dills Natural History Estab- lishment of L. Wi. Stillwell, Deadwood, &. D. LEGGE GGG GM GMCS = \ Zs FA) 2 = => WHY DON’T YOU TAKE | = = = oo THE... =!) = S| => * aS = Midland [lonthly? 2 — —I — | = It is beautifully and profusely illustrated and its a == Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent “A=! == the best Midland Talent, which proves to be sur- —S =~, prisingly good. S| — = onty $1.50 a vear. — = = SS = = — = Address us direct or write to ce = JOHNSON BRIGHAM —— SS — = PUES. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, IA. —! NS i ii nis sSARRE RUE eEeeRnennnacnnencnnnnnnuenueennecnnunenterseneceEnrcten: - @ VU NK WEBSTER’S INTERNATIONAL Spe ig fia D I C TI ON. AR iY; e A Grand Educator. \" Successor of the | “* Unabriageu.’’ \:} c $| _ Standard of the ob {| U.S. Gov’t Print- C i Webeens jp) Ing Office, the U.S. ¢ Dg NATIONAL Supreme Court and c Rae i| of nearly all. th C HO: rly 2e ¢ '! Schoolbooks. ‘ J Warml cecm- a HE Auten K y . onauTeennic {| mended by every ‘ eeduntnascfo Slate Suj erinten- ‘ mI dent of Schools, ; aut and other Educa- « cre ) tors almost with- € “MERRIAMCO CNS out number. 8 A College President writes: ‘For S “ease with which the eye finds the 2 “ word sought, for accuracy cf dcfni- @ “tion, for effective methods in indi- ‘ “cating pronunciation, fur terse yct 8 “ comprehensive statements of facts, 9 “and for practical use 2s 2 working “dictionary, ‘ Webster’s International’ “excels any other single volume.” The One Great Standard Authority. Hon. D. J. Brewer, Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court,writes: * The In® eruational Dictionary is the perfection of dictionaries. I commend it to all as tl:e one great stand- ard authority.” SLIPS WII SPRAIN RY > 8 0=>~A saving of three cents per day fora \p Year will provide more than enough money S$ © to purchase a copy of the International. $ S Can you afford to be without i. Springfield, :Jass., U.S.A. : = aa to the pnblishers for free pamphlet. -o not buy cheap reprints of ancient editions, = ned setae 3 C. & C. MERRIAM CO., Publishers, PLEASANT FIELDS AND WOODLANDS If you are fond ot fresh , air and restful, rvralre- treats, read GAMELAND, the gentle magazine of outdoor life. It reveals virgin woods and waters. Yearly,to anyaddress,$1 Three trial numbers, 2c No free copies. GAME- LAND Pur. Co., 13 Astor Place, New York, N.Y. Batata tthe ade the ete tee beter bn dr hn enn er nnd be eter tinte arti heheh hhh et wi The Auk Cash, or Good Exchange, for back numbers of the Auk. Write stating condition and what you want for them. David L. Savage, Salem, Iowa. ARRRRRE RENE RE RE REEERRRrENEREnnEnnnnennnnnnEEENErererECeEUEL euuELT ENE! R:T-P-A- Wes The modern stand- ; ard Family Medi- | ‘ cine: Cures the : a P i common every-day ills of humanity. a w S| w a4 N w > o w Zz. ° *RARRRRERUREREEEEEnunanunnunnnuenannnnnnannnnnnnunnnnnnnuneeenEnterene FAVEATS TRADE MARKS COPYRIGHTS. CAN I OBTAIN A PATENT? Fore MUNN e answer and an bonest opinion. wiite to IUNN & CO., who have bad nearly fifty years’ experience in the patent business. Communice- tions strictly confidential. A Handbook of In- formation concerning Patents and bow to ob- tain them sent free. Also a catalogue of mechan- ical and scientific books sent free. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special noticein the Scientific American. avd thus are brought widely before the public with- ~ out cost to the inventor. This splendid paper, issued weekly, elegantly illustrated, has by far the largest circulation of any scientific work in the ~ world. $3 ayear. Sample ee sent free. Building Edition, monthly, €2.50a year. Single copies, ‘25 cents. very number contains bezu- tiful plates, in colors, and photographs of new houses, with plans, enabling builders to shew the latest designs and secure contracts. ACCress MUNN & CO., NEw Youk, 361 BroaLway. PUBLISHER OF S OOLOGIST AND THE 2 NATURAL SCIENCE NEWS obber in Specimens, Instruments Supplies, and Publications for the Naturalist. The Oologist is a 32 page magazine established by ‘Lattin’ in 1884, de- voted to Birds, theic nests and eggs, and is of special interest to all Teach- ers, Sportsmen, Naturalists, and Curio Collectors. During 1894 it at- tained an average monthly circulation of “4,167 copies. It is recognized werywhere as the leading medium through which to reach the class for whom it is published. 4 Over 50 new ads, appear in each is- sue, and its patrons, with rarely an exception says ‘‘2t pays.” “Subscription 75 cents per annum. Sample 5 cents. Natural Science News 1s the only Weekly Journal devoted exclusively to Natural History in America, 8 pages. Established 1895. Circulation neve= sS (han 2000 copies per issue. Over 50 new advertisemerts every week. Subscription $1 per annum. Sample >, Send toc for sample of both pub- lications and ‘‘Lattins’” Clearance Sale price list. Always address everything plainly and i in full, ~ Frank H. Lattin, Albion, N. Y. _Vol. 3 commences with January, 1896, Better, but cheat. ! . THE NIDIOLOGIST has reduced its price of subscription to — «=__ONE DOLLAR——= >” The September number contains: SCUEN rarge elegant half tones, photographs a ot birds from “fe and nests in situ. You never saw anything to equal the Nidiologist’s illustrations. Fifty cents worth of eggs at standard rates, your own selection, free with subscription — to all.who enclose 5 cents for postage. — Remit zow to THE NIDIOLOGIST, ~~ 150 5th Avenue, New York City. ANNMARUURUULERREREUUnacenEneEauEnuUEUcECECRunuUnEuEnnnuunecunununnnue : Jrank B. Hrmstrong ms “ a aie ... Caxidermist — And colleztor and dealer in Bird and ~ Mammal Skins. Birds eggs in fine ~ sets. Mounted birds afd animals. _ Alta Mira, Estado de ase =) Mexico. AURURUUUERURAeEUennennennnnnnnnaaunnuusnUURUSEEUUEEUEUURUREEEEEREREES Subscribe now for the . Oregon Naturalist All new subscribers’ will receive the remainder of this year free, including our Christmas number, which will contain a beautiful hand colored plate — of the Western Yellow-bellied Fly. 3 catcher and nest. Only soc per year. _ R@S"No free sample copies in Decem- — ber, Address The Oregon Naturalist, Box 253, Portland, Oregon. SRR RUUEEURURRRREUEUERURREREenennennenuennnnEnnneREUnanETanuEnnnnaneee: ANGIENT INDIAN RELICS Minerals, Stamps, Curiosities, * and Birds Eggs. List free. 25 Var. — of rare relics, coins, minerals, stamps, and curiosities 30c postpaid. Cheapest dealer in the U. S. Drawings of rel- ics and special prices for stamps. — W. PERRY ARNOLD, ~ Stonington, Conn. a $1.00 Worth of Spe | ! FREE ! received tu pay for a year’s subscription to ~ The Naturalist and Collector the catalogue rates of any reliable dealer, In addition to this agree to refund every fifth subscription received. Many will — thus get 1.75 for nothing. Send at once, you may ne * be ove of the lucky ones-and will get 1.00 worth of specie and a year’s subscription free. Tue NATURALIST AND COLLECTOR is a 32 page monthly magaz ine devoted to Natural Science. - | oe ee pis Pimety Illustrated «| and is clearly printed on ae book paper. See editorial notice in last Iowa bse gc ivi: Always address, WHEN YOU WANT Bird Skins or Eggs, aa 1 Skins, Skeletons, or Skulls, Shells, Curios, Fishes, Snakes, Alligat or mounted, Butterflies, Beetles, Moths, Semi-tropical Woods, Or: Air Plants, 0: anything else found in this, the most southern, and tropical state in the Union. Write to. . The D. E. Ebersold sami 10 Collectors and Pbotograpbers, by, obs Oceanus, Brevard Co., Florida. ee We will send youa photograf h of Sheils, Curios, Birds, Fishes, Animals, or beautiful tropical scenery for 25 or 50c. rea Every reader of the Iowa OFHithotbaleehoula send a years subs post free) for the eM i Naturalist’s Joutial 2 ie which is chiefly devoted to the interests of ornithologists. It is oubirehed me each number comprises 32 to 36 pages of interesting articles, notes, elc. illustrations. Free exchange column. Circulates all over the world. Vo Jan. '95 price 60c, post free. All subscriptions must be sent by money orde editor, Economic Museum, Hendderstield, England. Send early as this adn appear again. ; eee / io — ‘Go forth under the open sky, And list to Nature’s teachings.” lelexexe) yuarterly Nadazine Be! vevoted to. (rnitholody Qology Published for “Jlie Towa. Ornithological } Association PeeAeSeS SS SASS TABLE OF CONTENTS — Sea Birds That Visit lowa, F. H. Shoemaker, = - The Protection of Our Birds, W. W. Loomis, — Notes on the Birds of Iowa, John V. Crone, . - Notes and News, - 2 ne . = a Book Review, | "Publications, - ey nie 5 i Rapper 4 ‘Subscribe for the... . e 2. 2% bashes worth more Han A0c a year. 00000 “The L O. is of great value, not only to Towa but to the entire U. S.—Editor Ooxoaisr. _ We have made eae SO that we can fara , gon Naturalist and the Iowa Ornithologist, both, a A sixty-five cents. Subscribe at once. aye | tion has expired and we hoe you. will remit at . venience.. FRANK H.LATTIN PUBLISHER OF THE OOLOGIST AND THE NATURAL SCIENCE NEWS Jobber in Specimens, Instruments Supplies, and Publications for the Naturalist. The Oolegist is a 32 page magazine established by Lattin in 1884, devoted to Birds, their nests and eggs, and is of special interest to all Teachers, Naturalists, and Curio During 1894 it attained an average monthly circulation of 4,167 copies. It is recognized every- where as the leading medium through which to reach the class for whom it is published. Over 50 new ads appear in each is- sue, and its patrons, with rarely an exception say ‘‘it pays.” Subscription 75 c2nts per annum. Sample 5 cents. Natural Science News is the only Weekly Journal devoted exclusively _to Natural History in America. 8 pages. Established 1895. Circula- tion never less than 2000 copies per week. Subscription $1 per annum. Sample 2c. Send toc for sample of both publications ‘‘Lattin’s”’ Clearance Sale price list. Always address everything plainly and in full, Frank H. Lattin, Albion, N. Y. Sportsmen, Collectors. and Pocket ->> Kodak $ im, 00 BA» Makes pictures Gea large enough to be good for contact printing and good enough to enlarge to any reasonable size. Pocket Kodak loaded for 12 pic- tures, 1% x 2 in., : ‘ « $5.00 Developing and Printing Outfit, . I.50 EASTMAN KODAK CoO., Sample photo and booklet ROCHESTER, N.Y For two 2-cent stamps. ay AERERRUDEUERUUUEEEEEEUEnEnuEnuunennnnunnnnunncunuuunanunnunnmnenuunen Re EE SSSS SN WHY DON’T YOU TAKE .- THE... Midland [Yonthiy? |= It is beautifully and profusely illustrated and its a! |= Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent =| the best Midland Talent, which proves to be sur- prisingly good. oncy $1.50 a veor. eK — i Se Address us direct or write to JOHNSON BRIGHAM PUS. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, IA. va Din i AARNE REREneuEenennneennnunnennnunannnnnsannnnnnnnnunmnununnuuununuunn, PLEASANT FIELDS AND WOODLANDS If you are fond ot fresh air and restful, rural re- treats, read GAMELAND, the gentle magazine of outdoor life. It reveals virgin woods and waters. Yearly,to anyaddress, #1 Three trial numbers, 25c. No free copies. (AME- TAND Pur. Co., 13 Astor Place, New York, N.Y. COLLECTOTTs If you desire first class Florida Speci- mens of MOUNTED BIRDS, SNAKES, ANIMALS, ALLIGATORS, ETC., OR SKINS, SKULLS, SKELETONS, AND EGGS, Write to me before yon purchase. You may have something to exchange that Liwant., Tf not 1 “can furnish you fine FLORIDA SPECIMENS CHEAPER THAN ANYONK I collect myself and furnish first class data with everything you get. Write me for list of what I carry in stock. I also keep on hand Live Birds, Snakes, Animals, Alligators, Chameleons, Liz- ards, and other things. A large as- sortment of ALCOHOLIC SPECIMENS, ES- PECIALLY SNAKES, in stock. A coltection ot Florida Snakes is beautiful in Atcohol. First class Taxidermy Work at lowest prices. A. M. NICHOLSON, Box 404. Orlendo, Fla. Enclose stamp for reply. \RARRREN TT — PET UCP EMER B BUNTON UL RENE aneU EERE DTU EEREREREUEEREREREEREED COPYRIGHTS. CAN I OBTAIN A PATENT? Rae answer and an honest opinion, write to TUNN & CO., who have had nearly fifty years’ experience in the patent business. Communica- For a tions strictly confidential. A Handbook of In- formation concerning Patents and how to ob- tain them sent free. Also a catalogue of mechan- ical and scientific books sent free. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice in the Scientific American, and thus are brought widely before the public with- out cost to the inventor. This splendid paper, issued weekly, elegantly illustrated, has by far the largest circulation of any scientific work in the world. &3 ayear. Sample copies sent free. Building Edition, monthly, $2.50a year. Single copies, ‘2 cents. Every number contains beau- tiful plates, in colors, and photographs of new houses, with plans, enabling builders to show the latest designs and secure contracts. Address MUNN & CO., NEW YORK, 361 BROADWAY. Webster’s International Dictionary Successor of the “‘Unabridged.’’ Standard of the | U. S. Gov’t Print- if] iny Office, the U.S. Supreme Court, and of nearly all the Schoolbooks. Warm com- | mended by State Superintendents - of Schools, and other Educators al- most without num- ber. EVERYBODY BECAUSE It is easy to find the word wanted. Wordsare given their correct alphabetical piaecr, each one beginning a paragraph. it is easy to ascertain the pronunciation. The pronunciation is shown by the ordinary dia- critically marked letters used in the schoolbooks. It is easy to trace the growth of a word. The etymologies are full, und the different mean- ings are given in the order of their development. It is easy to learn what a word means. The definitions are clear, explicit. and fuil, and cach is contained in a separate paragraph. G. & C. MERRIAM CoO., Publishers, Springfield, Mass., U. S.A. sanunnannnnnnnenesennenunnnnenanennennnnenenunnnnnnnnnEEEEEnEEEREEEEED — The modern stand- ard Family Medi- Cures the ras common every-day cine: ills of humanity. we w -] w a n w > o cay Z ° NGE COLUMN. special announcements as ,’ “Exchanges,” ‘‘For Sales,” “in this department free to all O. A., and to all _ Dealers can use columns at ar advertising rates only. f > Seat pee Be tNGe OR SALE—I Peden t skins of Game birds ot cr S. or . A. I. Johuson, Taxidermist, eo St. DesMoies, loya 18 years of age to ee me a stamp for particulars regarding e Oologist’s Association.”” The ociation Is a mucl: needed organ- ists. Isador S. Trostler, m St., Omaha, Neb. —'*Coues’ Birds of Colorado 178. Persons having the to sell or exchange please write rl Fritz Henuing, Boone, Iowa. ¢ SALE—Over 300 birds and mam- Every ornithologist should a case of stuffed birds in his -first class specimens — write ces to Carl Fritz Henning, 4246 Canada” by Raine. Will give s’ ‘Nests and Egys” ; and some tiffin’ good condition... J. oH. n, Iowa City, Ia. ‘To ExcuanceE—I have English ve ges to exchange for U. S. eggs. d me your list ana exchange pices. Skinner, ‘Brockeuhurst, Swau- nt, England. VANTED aT OncE—Allen’s ‘'Cata- i¢ of Iowa Biids,’’ 1870: Parker’s . Birds.” 1871; Trippe’s ‘:Birds 2 ,' 1873. I will pay cash. , David L. Savage, Salem, Ia. -LS AND Curios—I havea large nent of shells and curios to ex- for ornithological books and ions. send list of what yen ’ well known publication — lem, Iowa. Piano Given Away. The publishers of The HApPy HOME w give an elegant fine-tcned Upright Piano absolutely free to the person sending them the largest list of words constructed from the letters contained in the name of their “THE HAPPY HOME”: Additional presents, consisting of Gold — Watch, Silver Watch, Sewing Machine, Music Box,’Silk Dresses, China Dinner Set, and many valuable and useful articles, will be alse awarded in order of merit, aid every person sending not less than ten — words will receive a present of value. Use either plural or singular words but not both — and no letter more times than it appears in the text, The Happy Home.” i This is a popular plan of introducing ine new homes this popular publication which has in its three years existance received a_ happy welcome in many thousands of homes As the object in giving away these valua- ble presents is to advertise and attract at- tention to The Happy Home, which is a monthly publication devoted to Literature, Fashion, Stories, and Art, every list of © words must be accompanied with three two — cent stamps for a trial copy of this favorite home journal containing full particulars, list of presents,and rules “regarding contest, You may receive a valuable award for yout. trouble. Address THE HAPPY HOME, “ 358 Dearborn St., Chicago. | Do You Know oo That some old used U. S. ‘stamps © are worth hundreds of dollars? If you | have any used before 1870 write or send me what you have (enclosing stamp for reply) and I will make you an offer. Do not soak or tear stamps off enve:opes but send entire. : Win. Karbach, Ferguson, Mo. " SuAuannunnaenuannaunraunnanaunnnnnnununnununnnnennuunnunanunnunnnnunne Books Wanted I want any book pertaining to the Natural History—especially Ornithology—of Iowa; also the bulletins of the DesMoines Aca-— demy of Sciences and proceedings of Dav-— enport, and Iowa Academies of Sciences. — Also, I desire Hornaday's Taxidermy. Will give good exchange in natural history spec- — imens or pay cash. David L. Savage, Sa- Mae nnnnunnauannunsunsuneunununencuannsnnnnnenunnnnenannnnnanannsanaas Shells and Curios A large collection of shells, curios, and — Indian relics for sale at reasonable prices. | If you want anything in this line address David L. Savage, Salem, Iowa. “ort asl aoe GA Ore ate ees ‘ Octal > ane Ernest H. Short Mail and Cat- alogue business of FRANK H. LATTIN Cataicgues of Birds Eggs, Shells, (both showy and scientific) Minerals, Relics, Curivs, Bird and Mammal Skins, and Mounted Specimens and Supplies. of all kinds for.Entomologists, Oologists, Taxidermists, etc. Full stock of Glass Eyes always on hand. Seud stamp and mention yout specialty. Novelties Just Out Giant Tusk Shells, 3 to 3% in., 15¢, 2 for 25¢. Giant Serpent Starfish,g in., 50 cts Successor to the Retail, fine, only Rare Costa Rican Pottery, supply limi- ted and going fast, fine pieces at “50C, 1.00, 1.50, 2.25 and 3.00. Birds Eggs at cut rates. New list of Fossz/s just out. \ Address plainly, ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y. SSSA SAS ea eene ean neeeenusnenunennnemmennneceTECUREEenenenncERnnneees EB) ey eee Oregon Naturalist Only 5o0c per year. D. M. Averill & Co., Portland, Oregon. Monthly organ of the Northwestern Ornithological Association. Skins Skeletons or Skulls, Shells, Fishes, Snakes, Alligators ; mounted, Butterflies. Beetles. Semi-tropical Woods, Orch Plants, or anything else fount the most southern and tro in the Union, write to. The D. E, Ebersold. 10 Collectors and Photogr Oceanus, Brevard C We will send you a eo shells, curios, birds, ae ... Caxiderm And collector and ‘dealer iu b Mammal Skins. Birds eggs. sets. Mounted birds and ; amin ‘Mexico. ~spenegnnententntennnnnnnnnnnennennnnsennnnete ANCIENT INDIAN ate ‘‘Go forth under the open sky, And list to Nature’s teachings.” OOOO te .. a Ornithologis iL Be aiarerl Magazine devoted to.. @rnithology jsf Published for “fe Jowa Ornithological aa Association iN ©) 0) Q 1 ct () SI a Te ati LSS IEEE SSN SSSSR SSS} ISS AS NAIENS SASS} : es SQ SSE Se eS Se Gaus aaa Notes on Traill’s Fiyestehens in Portsweataate Con E, : *« The Anierican Crow, H. Heaton; 20) =] =) eee Warblers of Iowa,. Morton E. Peck, Se ee The Red-tailed Hawk, Carl Fritz Henning, =- - = - The Sparrow Hawk, ‘‘Falco Sparverius,”) >=. =e Of Historical Interest, A. I. Johnson, — - a ot Urinator Arcticus i in Jackson Co., J. eae ; - ie A Reverie, J. R. Bonwell, - Bier ts FS The Blue- bird, a Vision of Shee Lotto Wildwood, - The Rambler Noticed - The Red-shafted Flicker in C atta Tee é al Henning, Book Review and Publications Received, - ae &. @ IOWA'S. PRIDE » e —TrHE—, ORGANIZED IN 1894. [ OFFICERS) 225 rae nase _, President—Chas R, Keyes, Mt.: Vernon. 3) ’ Vice President—R. M. Anderson, Forest on Secretary—J. Eugene Law, Perry. Treasurer—David L. Sava _ Executive Gounpile joun V. Crone, Marathon, Wm. New Sharon, Carleton R. Ball, Little Rocke a NEW MEMBERS. * ACTIVE. Halvorsen, M. Eari, Forest City. Watson, Ties C., “Hall. Rann, Mrs. Mary L., Manchester. Weidman, Joe, Ames. 3 ‘Rich, Guy C., Sioux City. beer brite . HONORARY. Ronis Crouch, R. J., DeWitt, Towa. "eee? s agent ASSOCIATE. sn - Broll, Max W.,St.Anthony Park,Minn. Griffiths, B. ES Dias Chase, Frank W., Marshall, inn Dyer, Geo. E., ee ge Minh, Ellsworth, A. D., Winona, Minn. Gurdsen, W. C. Victoria, Minn. “May, Fred, Minneapolis, — (Mr. James C. Watson and B. E. Griffiths were admitted | but their names were accidentally ommitted in the October a We extend an invitation to all lovers of birds to join our “tion for membership may si sent to eagle! ot the officers. Lincoln, Robt. E., Fergus Mulliken, W, E., Gran Shaw, W.T. St. Aes IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. FRANK H. LATTIN PUBLISHER OF THE OOLOGIST AND THE NATURAL SCIENCE NEWS Jobber in Specimens, Instruments Supplies, and Publications for the Naturalist. The Oologist isa 32 page magazine established by Lattin in 1884, devoted to Birds, their nests and eggs, and is of special interest to all Teachers, Sportsmen, Naturalists and Curio Collectors. During 1894 it attained an average monthly circulation of 4,167 copies. It is recognized every- where as the leading medium through which to reach the class for whom it is published. Over 50 new ads appear in each is- sue, and its patrons, with rarely an exception say ‘‘it pays.” Subscription 75 cents per annum. Sample 5 cents. Natural Science News is the only Weekly Journal devoted exclusively to Natural History in America. 8 pages. Established 1895. Circula- tion never less than z2c00 copies per week. Subscription $1 per annum. Sample zc. Send toc for sample of both publications and ‘‘Lattin’s” Cleacance Sale price list. Always address everything plainly and in full, Frank H. Lattin, Albion, N. Y. Pocket >>> Kodak 00 eBAL, Makes pictures Baseonn eis large enough to be good for contact printing and good enough to enlarge to any reasonable size. Pocket Kodak loaded for 12 pic- tures, 1% x 2 in., 5 4 5 $5.00 Developing and Printing Outfit, . I.50 EASTMAN KODAK CoO., Sample photo and booklet ROCHESTER N.Y. Zor two 2-cent stamps. ap) CAERRURBLULUERUUEREEUEEnEUUnnununnunenunnnananununnununununmununanuuED Zr UNNI SEG Sy => WHY DON’T YOU TAKE = — —__— = ... THE... = => ° ce =. Midland [onthly? 2 —t —S sy It is beautifully and profusely illustrated and its — = Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent “—=} = the. best Midland Talent, which proves to be sur- ==! = prisingly good. | _— — oncy $1.50 a vean. SS =>, | => I =— — => Addres direct or writ = = Address us or write to s! => JOHNSON BRIGHAM = = =, PUS. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, A it fis RRRULEREERERUEEREEEEREEEUERUEEERENEREREREEREREREEEEEEREEEEUBEEEBEEEED PLEASANT FIELDS AND WOODLANDS If you are fond ot fresh Z air and restful, rural re- ¢ treats, read GAMELAND, the gentle magazine of outdoor life. It reveals virgin woods and waters. Yearly, to any address, $1 Three trial numbers, 25c. No free copies. GAMr- 1AND Pup. Co., 13 Astor Place, New York, N.Y. IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. COLLECTORS If you desire first class Florida Speci- mens of MOUNTED BIRDS, SNAKES ANIMALS, ALLIGATORS, ETC., OR SKINS, SKULLS, SKELETONS, AND EGGS, Write to me before you purchase. You may have something to exchange that i want.. If not, [can furnish you fine FLORIDA SPECIMENS CHEAPER THAN ANYONE I collect myself and furnish first class data with everything you get. Write me for list of what I carry in stock. I also keep on hand Live Birds, Suakes, Animals, Ailigators, Chameleons, Liz- ards, and other things. A large as- sortment of ALCOHOLIC SPECIMENS, ES- PECIALLY SNAKES, in stock. A _ collection of Florida Suakes is beantiful in Alcohol. First class Taxidermy Work at lowest prices. A. M. NICHOLSON, Box 404. Orlando, Fla. Euclose stamp for reply. TRADER RRER RARER EE RE EUE NEUE EERE EERE EDREnEncEnEEreEtneneenenennutER ATENT PEAVEATS, TRADE MARKS COPYRIGHTS. CAN I OBTAIN A PATENT? Fora Rant answer and an honest opinion, write to MUNN & CO., who have had ney fifty years’ experience in the patent business. Communica- tions strictly confidential. A Handbook of In- formation concerning Patents and how to ob- tain them sent free. Also a catalogue of mechan- ical and scientific books sent free. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice in the Scientific American, and thus are brought widely before the public with- out cost to the inventor. This splendid paper, issued weekly, elegantly illustrated, has by far the largest circulation of any scientific work in the world. S83 avear. Sample copies sent free. Building Edition, monthly, $2.50a year. Single copies, 25 cents. very number contains beau- titul plates, in colors, and photographs of new houses, with plans, enabling builders to show the Jarest desiens and secure contracts. Acaress MUNN & Con. Niw Yo.K, $61 BucsLWAy. Webster’s International Dictionary Successor of the “Unabridged.’’ U. S. Gov’t Print- ing Office, the U.S. Supreme Court, and of nearly all the Schoolbooks. Warml com- mended by State Superintendents of Schools, and other Educators al- most without num- ber. THE BEST FOR EVERYBODY BECAUSE it is easy to find the word wanted. Wordsare given their correct alphabetical Places, each one beginning a paragraph. it is easy to ascertain the pronunciation. ‘The pronunciation is shown by the ordinary dia- critically marked letters used in the schoolbooks. it is easy to trace the growth of a word. ‘The etymologies are full, and the different mean- ings are piven in the order of their development. It is easy to learn what a word means. “he definitions ave clear, explicit, and full, and «ach is contained in a separate paragraph. C. & C, MERRIAM CO., Publishers, Springfield, Mass., U.S.A. 3 Specimen pages, etc., sent on application. uN Standard of the 5 DRBAUAT LEASE EMRE RNa E Nene eet es eeioee LEME ETERS See RENE nAnEeEEee” R-E-P-A:N:S The modern stand- ard Family Medi- Cures the cine: common every-day ills of humanity. ONE GIVES RELIEF. LG: A., and to all to ee Towa Oneaedie: ae pester: can use columug at XCHANGE OR Saue oy Gordon ‘ at loading im} f Game birds of U. S, or I. Johnson. Taxidermist, ts DesMoies, Iowa. oup want every Oologist who 10 years’ of age to seid nea r for, particulars regarding The a6 a ch needed orgau- ESBG earnest, active and honest s S. Trostier, 4246 e in bis fs specimen s—write to Carl Fritz Henning, “Bird Nesting in North- Will give and some Tickle by Raine. ests and Eggs” im good condition, a City, la. CHANGE—I. have English to exchange for U. S. eggs. our list aud exchange prices. ne r, Brackenhurst, Swan- Ragland, 2 ae Birds of Colorado 78. Persons having the sell or exchange please write ‘Fritz ae Boone, Ia. ioe ; s tt i e a \ % 7 hi Piano Given Away 1 ~ The publishers of abs Happy Home ‘eal give an elegant fine-toned Upright i 4 absolutely free to the person sending them. the largest list of words constructed from the letters contained in the name of their well-known publication— : f “THE. HAPPY HOME.” Additional presents, consisting of Gol Watch, Silver Watch, Sewing Machine, Music Box, Silk Dresses, China ‘Dinner Set and manv valuable and useful articles, w be also awarded in the order of merit, an every person sending not less than ee words will receive a present of value. either plural or singlular words but not both and no letter more times than it ap- pears in the text, ‘“‘The Happy Home.’ : This is a popular plan of introducing. new homes, this popular publication wt \ has in its three year’ s existence received a happy welcome in many thousands of homes. As the object in giving away these valua ble presents is to advertise and attract at tention to the Happy Home, which is a monthly publication Heras. to Literature Fashion, Stories and “rt, every list of. words must be accompanied with three two cent stamps for a trial copy containing full particulars, list Of presents and rules re garding contest. You may receive a valu- able reward for your trouble Address : THE HAPPY HOME, 358 Dearborn oe Do You Know That some old used U.S are worth hundreds of dollars? If y¢ have any used before 1870 ete send me what you have ee stamp for reply) and I will make you an offer. Do wot soak or tear stamp: off'envelopes but send entire. : Wm.:Karbach, Ferguson, Mo. | *RRRURUERUEREREREREEanenunnnerenenrunrenennnenaanEnEnEnEEnEEnaneuEEEs “Unterchange” A quarterly journal of Natural His tory and Collecting. If you are interested, you will want ~ it. Only 25 cents year. Single cop. ies 7c. Send a+ stemp for ee ie copy. Address, » i @. P. HAUGER, Orleans, In saoiapaanianninaneneneannaneennennnenenmmnmmmmnene WANTED AT oONCE—Allen’s logue of Iowa Byes, HY ‘Towa Birds”, 1 of So. Towa,” 1873. I will pay cas Address, David L, Savage, Salem, da \, 1870; Parker's: ” “Cata- ROE Ernest H. Shert Albion, N. Y. Successor to the Retail, Mail and Cat- alogue business of FRANK H. LATTIN Catalogues of Birds Eggs, Shells, ‘both showy and scientific) Minerals, Relics, Curios, Bird and Maminal Skins, and Mounted Specimens and Supplies of all kinds for Entomologists, Oologists, Full Glass Eyes always on hand, stock of Send stamp and mention your specialty. Taxidermists, etc. Novelties Just Out Giant Tusk Shells, 3 to 3% in., 2 for 25¢. 15C, Giant Serpent Starfish, gin., fine,only 50¢. Pottery, Rare Costa Rican supply limited and going tast, fine pieces at 50C, 1.00, 1.50, 2.25 and 3.00. Birds Eggs at cut rates. New list of Fossils just out. Address plainly, ERNEST H. SHORT, Albion, N. Y. RURENER TERE eee een neeneEnEnnnennenenenenecnunnunueannenennunuaneeenn: Stohe =a Oregon Naturalist Only 50¢ per year, D. fl. Averill & Co., Portland, Oregon. Menthly organ of the Northwestern Ornithological Association. ature in Florida | When you want Bird Skins Kees Mar rmal Skins Skeletons or Skulls, Shells, Curios. Fishes, Snakes, Alligators alive or — mounted, Butterflies, Beetles, Moths, Semi-tropicai Woods, Orchids, Air Plants, or anything else foand in this, ~ the most southern and tropical state in the Union, write to “4 The D. S. Ebersold Family. f 10 Collectors and Photugraphers, Oceanus, Brevard Co., Florida. shells, curios, birds, fishes, animals, a or beautiful tropical scenery for 25 or 50 cents. sRAAA ARERR REE EERE ReEREEREneEneREEEnEReenEnReEEeEn Frank &. Armstrong 44 ... Caxtidermist — And coliector and dealer in birds and ~ Mammal Skius, Birds eggs in fine — sets. Mounted birds and animals. Pe: Alta Mira, Estado de Scie = ote Mexico. eS ER a eR UE BS ANCIENT INDIAN RELICS” Minerals, Stamps. Curosities, oe and Birds Eggs. List free. 25 Var. ~ of care relics, coins, minerals, stamps, | a aud curiosities 30c postpaid. Cheap-— r est dealer in the J. S. Drawings of © relics and special prices for stamps. W. PERRY ARNOND, ‘ Stonington, Conn. | ‘Go forth under the open sky, And list to Nature’s teachings.” OOOO The.... lowa Ornithologist. Vol. Il. No. 4. October, 1896. A Quarterly Magazine aewoted to... Ornithology and Oology. | Published for The lowra Ornithological Association. 40 Cents Per Year. es 7 4 hs = eos eT ? ast * An Open Letter From the President. lellow-members of the l. O A., Greeting: ic Ope We are now in our third year as an association and the work | so far acc plished is exceptionally encouraging. ti We have from a very small beginning built up an association of which we » ane justly proud. No state in the Union has a better. We have received many en- : couraging letters and good wishes from men in the highest rank of Ornithologist 0 Our official organ bas been the means of bringing our work and our associatio into prominen se, not valy in our owa state but throashout ths country. Arti cles have at times been widely copied in the papers of the state. Without ou . oficial organ our results could not commence to be of such value to our : We have been for the last year engaged in compiling a list of *‘lowa Bi he preliminary lists are in and the compiling under way, aad it is hope | to : have our preliminary, annotated list ready for distribution and further annot : tion by the next annual congress. ‘ Our members are to a considerable extent engaged in the study of our ava-fauna from an economic stand point, and we are hoping to issue a bullet on this line of investigation ut some time in the near futur e, that will be of value not only to the azriculturists of our state but to those of the whole MisaeeiPDy valley, and whieh will bring us into prominece in a qurrter that will be of immense practical benefit to us. But right here we have encountered an obstacle which threatens to compel to ab:ndon much work so finely started. We have notas yet enough mem and subseriptions to make our organ self supporting, though we have very have enough members and subscribers not only to carry us through this and next, but to give us surplus enough to allow us to realize our ambition : in a year or so to publish the finest list of the birds of Iowa, with their hab ts, nidification and economic value, that has ever been attempted in this state Be But we need money at once. There are still twenty unpaid dues this year this would do a good deal toward helping us through the year. These are unpaid I feel sure through any lack of interest ia our Association, for from fine work doue it is to be readily seen that we have but little lack of. intere among our numbers, but it is [ think simply from neglect and thoughtlessness the part of these delinquent members. There are still five ee pledg last gears deficit. ; publication of our official organ as well as our hopes for the pilus in -prepar - tion, unless we meet with an immediate and hearty response to this peti To many members there seems but little chance of obtaining new members subscribers. But do they look in the right places? Ina recent letter from enthusiastic fellow member, C. F. Henning. he says, ‘‘I am going to get our pr fessor of the Boone High school interested in us and hope to send you at | ‘a ten members ‘Three are now ready for the chairman of the executive comm tee.’’ Here now is a field for work which but few have tried, and a field whi is going to yield the best results in our canvas for new recruits. Ina neighb ing city I have recently heard of a club of euthusiastic young Ornithologists (Continued on Third Page Cover.) : ee ri | rorking under an experienced professor and who have made a fine collection of skins of birds of their section, among which are several of very rare occurence our state, and these enthusiastic workers have never heard of our work or ur Association Tere ought to be a very fruitful missionary field and I hope to end one of their meetings soon, if possible. {n another nearer eity, though it of our state, I learn the principal of the High school is an enthusiastic Orni- thologist, spending the majority of his Saturdays in the fields and woods, and ™many times with pupils of his school. I believe if members will make an effort the schools and colleges of our state, that they can accomplish a very great a. there. Ina recent letter to Mr. Savage | suggested that a good means for us to raise oney to carry us through the balance of the year, and asa means of stimulat- ‘the members to greater efforts in the obtaining of new members and sub- ibers, that the members all send in to the editor-treasurer at once such mounts as they feel able—these same to be applied to subseriptions and mem- ders fees. Then let all those remitting go to work for the subscriptions and new embers sufficient. to repay the money so advanced. Three have already signi- their willineness to advance $3.00 each on these conditions, all fully believ- g that they can easily recover it by Jan. Ist. Others have offered $1.00, and I am sure from the few letters reccived that the members will awake to the fact hat on their individual efforts will depend the success of our Association. “here are a few of us to whom a chanze to add to our collection will not bring h some effort, and to make the race a lively one I have thought it might be to make an inducement in the way of small premiums to the ones sending @ largest lists of new members ex subscribers before Jan. Ist. ‘o this end I will give to the one sending in the largest list, (one new member © count as two and one-half subscribers) sets of eggs to the value of $5.00,inelud- among others a set of Krider’s Uawk,+. To the one sending the second larg- list, ‘Sets to the value of $3.00, including a set of Swainson’s Hawk.+, and to ext ten largest lists a set each of Black-crowned Night Heror,% tot, col- ted on Heron Lake, Minn. the last summer. Tow let us see what a united effort will do for us. We cannot afford to stop work here—it has grown too dear to us. With prompt remittances on the of delinquent members and a hearty response to this appeal on the part of others, we will be in splendid shape to carry us through next year. Let ev- one try to send in enough for the dues of one new member at least and then an earnest effort to get the new member. If you feel you cannot risk even ry to carry the burden of one subscription anyway and there will be few 2d who cannot get that. Send in your remittances promptly and let us have hort item of news for the Lowa Ornithologist with each We always welcome y news from fellow members. With this great aid we are going to enter the ear with facilities for fulfilling all our plans and by the close of next year 2 latest, we will hope to publish our ‘‘Iowa birds” and this will be the be- Ts of a newer and a larger scope for our work, as it will bring us valuable shological bulletins and material and bring us into touch with scientific so- Yours in love for thelI. O. A. J. H. BRown, Pres. EXCHANGE COLUMN. Brief special announcements “Wants.” ‘‘Exchanges,” ‘‘For Sales,” inserted in this depart- ment free to all members of the I. O. A., and to all subscribers of the IowA ORN.THOLOGIST. Dealers can use columns at regu- lar advertising rates only. Franklin’s Gull’s Eges for sale at very low prices. Complete data with each set. I also have sets A. O. U., nos, 202 and 725 for exchange. Address, Paul C. Woods, Spencer, Iowa. WANTED—Rare and desirable single eggs for which IT will send eood sets. Nice list to select rain. Will also trade sets for ‘sets. Send me your full lists. Walter F. Webb, Albion, N. Y. WANTED—Sets containing runts, albinos abnormally un marked or curiously marked or shaped eggs. Will give good ex- change in eggs, or will pay rea- sonable cash price. J. Warren Jacobs, Waynesburg, Pa. WaNTED—Maynard’s eggs of N. A. Birds, Davie’s Eggs, Ben- dire’s Life Histories Vol. 1. and Vol. I. Nehrling. have to offer 1st class sets, mounted birds and skins, pressed New England flow- ers scientifically labelled and Or- nithological papers. Half cash. A. M. Farmer, Clinton, Mass. Special Offer for November. Collection No. 1. Shells. Regular Price Murex Sheli : $0.30 Fulgar Shell 20 Olive Shell 15 Maslin spike .20 Bleeding-tooth 10 Strombus alatus .20 And twenty other varieties of showy shells for $1.50. Gollection No. 2. av Métniet Alligator 18 in. ie Mounted Young Sea Turtle Mounted Young Logerhead TURE Sawfish, saw 14 in. long Alligator’s foot and claws (large) Shark’s éeth ; Startish (four) Ss Sea beans e er! Needle fish (three) Couch Spawn And ten other curios, for $3.00. Collection No. 3. Minerals, meee ; ; Regular Pri Chalcedony Geode ip 2 Rubelite Water Pool Calcite eae!) Arrow Heads, N. Mex. (three) = .7 Calcite hires Selenite : fs Rose Quartz ee, Arrow heads, Ohio : And 12 other fine arrow head; $1 50. prepaid for $5.00. They are twice the money’ Send order to DAVID i. 4. eee Makes pictur s large 2nough to be good fo. printing and good enough t to to any reasonable size. Pocket Kodak loaded for 12 pi ee I1%x2in., is a Sample photoand booklet Zor two 2-cent stamps. ~ QnA schosaad ‘“‘Go forth under the open sky, And list to. Nature’s teachings.” *[owa ()rnitbofogist VOL. 3, NO. 1. JANUARY, 1897. (o} oO) “4 AQUARTERLY HAGATIIA : DEVOTED TO @ Orataclogy. & Oology. . : _ PUBLISHED FOR - The lowa Ornithological orien OO CIELO... ‘ge "40 CENTS - rs : : 6 em "PER YEAR 5 | ae ek ee : The Iowan Raptors, Chas. R. ans Pres. I. O. as Observations on the Cowbird, David L. Savage, - Notes on the Warblers of Jackson County, H. J. Giddings, Eob White, Wilmon Newell, _ - - - - An Accidental Visitor, ~ é = Oa - The New Year’s Work, J. H. Brown, - - Eird Migration in Iowa, Committee on Compilation; Ecok Review, - - - - - - Publications, - - - Members of the I. O. ae ates 1897, or AEE Ot Sate tart uf. ‘ ‘oa OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE: 1owA ORNITHOL ASSOCIATION, 1896,-1897.- OFFICERS. siealen BROWN. J. H.. President. penile § LOOMAS, W. W., Vice- Prewitenee! i BAILEY, BER Lots ‘Secretary. Big’ SAVAGE, DAVID _L. Bditor-3 MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. ° " SHOEMAKER, FRANK H. Siac he BALL, CARELTON R. BURGE, GEOR FIN ANCE COMMITTEE. . KEYES, CHARLES R:, Chairman. Hers HENNING, CARL FRITZ, ~ CIDDING THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST, —- Published as the official organ of the lowa ORNITHOLOGICAL Assoouatox, _by Davip L. Savace, Salem, Iowa. i TERMS :—40¢ per year, strictly in advance. Sample. copies, 106 Honorary Members and to Active and BOONE Members of not in arrears for dues. ; Advertising Rates. Terms Cash With Order. ig One Page pS 2 _ 4 s Nir Eac One Half Page - 3 2 £ RA sce he itt is) G One Fourth Page . - : 5 i OnelInch~ - 2 = e u Brief ocan announcements Wants’ : ae “For say inserted i in : brad Send lists. Will exchange ¢ a pele a or sell cheap forcash. J. ROWN; Davenport, Ta. TERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA—in _ fine condition to exchange for books on nithology. Baird, Brewer & Ridge- y, and the Standard Natural History Will be ‘sold at any price. E list: Box 421; E ae on ETON WHY DON’ is vou TAR” Ment! [onthiy? ely illustrated: and. its ¢s-and Poems ees te ud Taieut, which proves to be sur- oncy $1804 vean, ress us direct oF write’ "3 YoHNSOW Brien FLU ALEPSLLAL EEL AE! 8 = = = = woinne, 1A. — a 2. WanTep—to exchange. eggs. in sets-- West Haven. : Cusaae ‘insane K ia aa, 3 Websters = : International a ictonary. d Invaluable in Office, School, and Home . Successor of the “ es a ” 7 Standard of the Gov't Print- jail “Omtce the U,8. ithrenig Court, and Q of» nearly.,all the Q el oars cae Warmly mended Oy ne D4 ide ibn et tl FOR "EVERYBODY lt ise easy to find "thie act wanted. Wordsare given their correct.Al habetical pli ees, each one beginning a paragra} O It is easy to ascertain the pronunciattoi a ) The pronunciation is shown by the ordinary di: + ¢ critically marked letters used in the schoolbooks. it ‘Is easy to trace the growth of.a word. ¢ ‘Nhe etymologies are full. und the different mean- ings ave given in the order of their rapt ties yh It is easy to learn what a word means The definitions ate gear licit, and. oy sand ¢ . each is contain od in separate patagrap G6. & C. AEOREEW ct COo., Puplishers, . Springfield, Mass., U. S.A. sar Specimen pages, etc., , sent on Application. RIP-A-N'S — The modern stand- ard Family Medi- cine: Cures the at ¢ommon. every-day Nes ills of humanity. Ho ONE GIVES RELIEF. y a ry +. PREMIUMS FOR SUBSCRIBERS, - The president of the I. O. A. made some premium offers in the last Iowa Onni- 4 THOLOGIS?, but owing to the lateness of that issue, it is thought heer: to extend the offer until May I!st. THE IOWA ORNITHOLOCIST Is a first class publication. We have received many letters of recommendation r4 re ee, og | ‘ od from leading ornithologists, saying, “the magazine is worth much more than’ the subscriptien price,’’ which is 40 cents a year. Get your friends to =s Subscribe for it. You could easily win one of the following ge RARE PREMIUMS. a To the person who shall send us the largest number of subscribers (one new m member to count as two and one half subscriptions) before May Ist, we will give sets of eggs, with h daha, to the value of $5.00, including among others, a set.of . a Krider’s Hawk, 14... imei wintemcesSteemectecenecaah | setociga aeeennnnn ene SECOND PREMIUM—Eggs to the value of $3.00, including & set of Swainson’s Hawk, 14, for the second largest club. . THIRD PREMIUM—For the next 10 largest clubs, a set each of Black-crowned : Night Heron, 1¢ to 1. GO TO WORK PROMPTLY. Why not take this easy way to add eggs to your collection? Remember the offer closes May 1st.- Address, : IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST, Salem, Towa. wee Pocket up. TO: DATE. >>> Kodak " CP Ae $5.00 CLIPPINGS. A WESTERN. MAGAZINE FOR WESTERN PEOPLE. Curprincs is a beautifully ilnstrated”” BA, monthly family magazine, containing — the best works of scme of our most noted — Makes . authors. Also’ a lalge number of the pictures = ‘One Button Does Host written articles on the home and large 2nough to aa good for contact Allis profnsely wt with the Ses engravings order to increase. “4 printy-ng and good enough to enlarge subscription list 100,000 by January 1st, to any reasonable size. for a few months we willsend CLIPPINGS Pocket Kodak loaded for 14 pic- one.7 7 e t UN 4 e e Wy ly = =a @ a) ee PAY Z \ J = RAINS e as AS © : . ° @ it 7 wy 7 Lal z w/I |lowa ©rmithologist ||, ess Lb -* = ae af * a ‘ Nesting Habits of Krider’s Hawk, R. M. Anderson Eaae - ‘ The Affinities of the Mniotiltide, Morton E. Peck = - ee The Pied-bill Grebe, Carl Fritz Henning ~ bHe &~ - Effect of the Season on Migration, H. J. Giddings aA eae The Prairie Hen, Wilmon Newell —=- PRS is outage: Manchester, 1897 . - - - he Book Review - - - - Eee = ASSOCIATION, 1806= 1807. OFFICERS. 4 BROWN, J. H., President. . tices ery LOOMIS, W. W., Viee- Prokideme Et , BAILEY, BERT H., Secretary. GE SA VAGH; DAVAD “Ey, Editor- MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SHOEMAKER. FRANK B.. Chairman eee “BALL, CARLETON R. BURGE, GKOR FINANCE COMMITTEE, - KEVES, CHARLES R. Chairman. t HENNING, CARL FRITZ. ts GL DDIN THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST, Ps - Published as the official organ of the Iowa ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATE ) oe by Davin L. SAvaae, Salem, Iowa. TERMS :—40¢ per year, strictly in advance. ~ Sample copies rT Honorary Members and to Active and Asscciate ee of thie: not in arrears for dues. 7 Entered as second class mail matter at the Post Office, Salem, Io as a — t S94 nats nage - Address all communicationsto. ~ DAVID L. SAVAGE, § Advertising Rates, Terms Cash With Order. One Page : - - ie - One-half Page - 2 é One-fourth Page = = - One Inch - : 2 = 2 _ NOTES AND NEWS. Mr. Paul GC. Woods writes that Ducks and Geese have been swarming» by the thousands on the lakes and rivers near _ Spencer, Iowa, this spring. Do not forget the date of the congress, Aug. 11-12-13, 1897. Come prepared to give your new ideas on collecting and preparing ornithological material and to demonstrate the same if pactical. Come expecting to get new ideas. . On May 22nd, 1897, while at Ames, I collected a nest of the Woodthrush con- taining seven Cowhbird eggs and three -eges of the Woodthrush. Incubation had just begun and all eggs were in the same stage. H. H. THoMas. Mr. Rudolph M. Andersen of Forest City writes that he secured a fine series _of Traill’s Flycatchers, June 25, 26 and - 29th, fifteen. nests with eggs being ex- ~ amined. On June 12th he found seven nests with eggs of the Long-billed Marsh Wren. Mr. Earnest Irons of Council Bluffs found his time limited while in Chicago therefore the idea of preparing the ar- ticle on the ‘Field Columbian Museum”’ was of necessity abandoned. He has hoped to substitute this article with a record of his studies and conclusions on «The Hybrid Yellow and Red-shafted _ Flicker,” but has not completed the last mentioned article. It will probably ap- _ pear in the next issue. ~ The Carolina Rail—Sora or Ortolan, ‘as it is variously called—is a common summer resident in Boone county and reeds in suitable localities. May 23 1 found one set of six aud oneset of fifteen eggs. The nests were placed in course dense grass growing close to the edge of he slough ; in shape, similar to the Red- above the water. The nest containing he fifteen eggs was a sight to behold, ve or six eggs having piled on top of he others. In this locality the Sora Rail usually selects small but deep ponds for sting sites. Haye any of my friends ound a larger set of eges of the Ortolan ? Carb Fritz HEnNine. ing’s nest and placed about a foot . EXCHANGE COLUMN. Brief special announcements ‘‘Wants”’ ‘“Axchanges,’’ ‘“‘For Sales,’’ insected in ‘this department free to all members of the I. O. A., and to all subscribers of the lowa ORNITHOLOGIST. Dealers can use these columns at regular advertising rates only. IOWA COLLECTORS—have on hand a limited number of lists of ‘‘Birds of Winnebago and Hancock Counties,”’ which will be mailed, while they last, for 10¢ per copy. Rudolph M. Anderson, Forest City, lowa. TO ERCHANGE—I have sets with data of the following A. O. U. Nos. to exchange for other sets or for Indian relics : 59, 202, 219, 221, 263, 316, 333, 444, 488, 497, 498, 595, 612, 705, 724, 755. P. C. Woods, Spencer, Iowa. FOR SALE or exchange—Two mag- azine cameras, $25.00 and $3.00; a navy pistol $12.00; an old fashioned revolver $9.00, koth six shoot ;alsoa turning lathe for wood $5.00. Would like to have Indian war bow and arrows for lathe. Hary A. Harman, 311 D. and L. St. Danville, Pa. Bel PAS — The modern stand- ard Family Medi- Cures’ the ae common every-day cine: ills of humanity. ONE GIVES RELIEF. THE, [OWA ORNITHOLOG It has been said: ‘The Jowa ORNITHOLOGIS® is not only of interest to ornithologist, but to collectors throughout the Uunited States, and is 5 WOree more than the subseription price. i = SUSSORIPTION PRICE, 40 CENTS PER YEAR, THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST ton QU and THE osPREY, “i” DM Surely you cannot ae this unheard of bargain pass w aoa ay ailing 5 yi rsel of the opportunity of receiving two of the best ornithological magazines p on our continent for the price of one. Renewal subscriptions will be recei One Dollar and Ten Cents, for both publications. Send in your Spe oe at once to ’ - U.S. SALARY U.S. SALARY UST. CASH $2,00 nn Peize_ on and INVENTOR’S ASSIS Wy SENT FREE to all t. ° gir p® 13° CIVIL SERVICE RULES SERVICE RULES rey an eet patents ray ealth ‘hay bo 90 i with SPECIMEN EXAMINATION UESTIONS, h ty bard jorit Meee als i Civil sez pra Diplomstle Bay” Tables. Tells HIVENTORS PROM.TION BUREAU, ~ Wash about Postal, Departmental, Customs, Indian other public employments. HOW TO OBTAIN THEM. Prige 50c. For sale at the office of this paper. PLEASANT FIELDS ‘AND woop If you are fond ot fresh % air and restful, ruralre- ae Peek Pela ait treats, read GAMELAND, se Ye INN LeNy ag ce WHY DON'T YOU TAKe Veorly to anpadaress $1 S ..THE.. = Three trial numbers, 25c. = No free copies, GAME-' = = =) LAND Pup. Co., 13 Astor =» Midland lonthty? = =| Place, New York. N.Y. It is be eautifully and profusely illustrated and its eS — = = == Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent — > => the best Midiand Talent, which proves to be sur- i —— EIGHT sow SEA SHELLS af} ball RRS prisingly good. = oncy $1.50 a vean. — = . sent by mail postpaid and safe a == ‘Address us direct or wrlte to ‘ = guaranteed. ~All are perfect § pec JOHNSON BRIGHAM <= ~—s I ustrated price list mailed fr PUG. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, IA. ro supplied at low prices and a XS fi, ena HOLAIES, Donen en “Go forth under the open sky. And list to Nature’s teachings.” WW . ce 7. ee NA ATEN SENSE. : VN, ne We Sralce ny RNS 2 NT £ AY wit i] OCTOBER, 1807. A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE fens es ...,DEVOTED TO.... Ornithology and Oology. PE PUBLISHED FOR THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGICAL \Z ASSOCIATION, i 40 CENTS PER YEAR. CONTENTS. = One Small Piece of Ground, Burtis H. Wilson — - ; 2 a Summer Birds of the Oneota Valley, Paul Bartsch — - = = 51 Death of Mrs. Gus Walters - - - E = . 62 Resolutions of Condolence - = = = ? aes 62 Notes and News - - E a= . : Z ‘s 63 Book Review : - z = = * “ 64 Publications Received - - : % : 2 # Bm 64 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, 1897-1898. OFFICERS. LROWAN, J. H., President. TRIEM, Mrs. M. A., Vice-President. LAW, J. E UGENE, Secretary. SAVAGE, DAVID L., Editor-Treasurer. MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. NEWELL, WILM ON., Chairman. BALL, CARLETON R. LOOMIS, W. we FINANCE COMMITTEE. HENNING, CARL FRITZ, Chairman. ie ia BURGE, GEORGE H. Reese GIDDINGS, H. J. THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST, Published as the official organ of the Iowa ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, is ey edited by Davip L. Savaan, Salem Iowa. ~ TERMS :—40¢ per year, strictly in advance. See ey copies 10%. Free to Honorary Members and to Active and Associate Members of the I. O. A., not in arrears for dues. Entered as second class mail matter at the Post Office, Salem, Iowa. Address all communications to ie DAVID L. SAVAGE, Salem, Towa. ay Advertising Rates, Terms Cash With Order. One Page - = “ 2 e E Each Insertion, $10.00 One-half Page - - 5 - - - ae ee 5.00548 One-fourth Page - - aie - - sf “ 3.00 | One Inch - : E 5 1.00 - _ - ee s EXCHANGE COLUIIN. cre sta. or books on See rit at once. / Wilmon Newell, a * WA? TED—a copy of Jordan’s Man- nal of the Vertebrate Animals of the Northern United States, in good condi- ion, for Steel’s Popular Zoology and Woods’ Natural History, both new, bal- ecash. H. M. McLaughlin, 117 w. th St. ” Mason City, Iowa. it ‘FOR SALE or exchange—A fine col- lection of U. S. and Foreign stamps ‘mounted in a Standard stamp album, also 30 Onion skin approval sheets. ‘Wanted eggs with data in exchange. ae ohn J ae Fayette, Pes Fook, papers and cash. ee ee relics also, Make offer for Gt. Blue ‘Heron. A male live Red Fox for sale cheap. A. M. Farmer, 429 High St., ‘ Clinton, Mass. Mi ae ‘ SALE or exchange—A large Sn ‘Owl mounted in elegant condi- sic A fine lowa specimen valued at ae aarhe. best cash offer cr offer of -Jowa sets with authentic data will take the bird. Wilmon Newell, Ames, Ta. — “BIND YOUR “oRNITHOLOGISTS FOR 1[5c. 3 sont: us 15 cents in postage stamps we will send you a cover (postpaid) ‘or any volumn of the Iowa Ornitholo- gist, neatly printed in two colors, with x for the whole year, and complete tructions for binding them, yourself, oaneat book. For 5dcts additional ‘we il put your name on cover. Cc. C. TRYON, -LAND Pur. Co., 138 een AE s. roth St. Omaha, Neb. PLEASANT FIELDS AND WOODLANDS if you are fond o1 fresh air and restful, rural re- treats, read GAMELAND the gentle magazine o: outdoor life. It reveals virgin woods and waters. Yearly,to anyaddress,$1 Three trial numbers, abe, No free copies. GAME- Place, New York, N.Y EIGHT SHOWY SEA SHELLS FOR $.50 Fourteen for $1, or both collections $1.25 sent by mail postpaid and safe arrival guaranteed. All are perfect specimens. Illustrated price list mailed free. Dealers supplied at low prices and all inquiries answered promptly. Send for trade list. J. H. HOLMES, Dunedin, Fla. REPAN'S The modern stand- ard Family Medi- cine: Cures the common every-day ills of humanity. ONE GIVES RELIEF. ICN f A WHY DON’T YOU TAKy ae THE... = Midland [onthly? It is beautifully and profusely illustrated and its Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent the best Midland Talent, which proves to be sur- prisingly good. omy $1.50 a vean. Ne —_— Address us direct or write to JOHNSON BRIGHAM PUB. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, IA. SI LS . eannnnibinihinbinie hive Hundred (}rnithologists Wanted! LIVE AND ENTHUSIASTIC WORKERS, Who are deeply interested in the study es ie Life. Experience not taken into consideration If this description describes you, upon reading this jotibe: send your nae with Forty cents (P.O. Money Order), to the Iowa: ONITHOLOGIST, Salem, ~ lowa, and you will be marked a year’s subscription to that magazine. During. 1898 we will add a number of new features and the magazine will in every wee be up to date. GET YOUR FRIENDS TO SUBSCRIBE WITH YOU. s AS Uuntil January 1st we will accept $1.00 as payment for three subscriptions. i We also make the following offers to new subscribers : THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST _ both S150, AND one year THE MIDLAND MONTHLY, for THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST _ both ne ar | and THE OSPREY, na Remember these offers are good only until January 1st. They ‘aill ea ably never be repeated. Subscribe Now. IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST, Salem, Iowa. te PTEMBER OSPREY LEADS THEM ALL. Full Of Costly Tlustrations. TO BE FOUND IN THIS NUMBER: An article by Hornaday—The greatest taxidermist. Protrait of William T. Hornaday. Full page map of New York Zoological Park showing arrangement ot animal houses, cages and accomodations. ‘aa Full page hitherto udpublished drawing of Flicker made by Audubon in 1812. ca Two beautiful drawings by the great bird artis—Fuertes. = “White Flyers of the Sea,’”’ by that veteran naturalist and sportsman, a Charles Hallock. Prof. W. W. Cooke writes on a new bird of Colorado, , A beautiful photograph of an Osprey’s nest on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Frank M. Chapman, the well known naturalist of New York city, writes the — Heron Plume fashion. (He writes on Cuba, with photos taken on the ra in an early number. Large picture of Snowy Heron, also another pertaining to Mr. Chapman's ae article. A photograph of a California Ornithologist climbing a giant pine, | besides numerous notes from all parts of the country, news items, etc. FOR ONLY 10c. All in One Number. We : a ‘\ to send 25c for a trial.. After 8 months you will agree that no aa Jt Q\ live ornithologist or oologist can afford to do without it. Mention the Iowa ORNITHOLOGIST. THE OSPREY, 61 N. Prairie St., GALESBURG, ILL. | -PUBLISHED FOR , SSS SS SES St = EEE EEE SE TEE LE ETD =—¢ ' Go Forth Under the Open hp ie a Hind List to ature’ 8 Teachings. Sfaee x _— i ry Towa Ornithologist. a AY ic NO. JANUARY 1898. eo 8 a cup Magazine ——DEVOTED TOo— = .., 4 . IAA aq Ornithology and Oology. THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 40 ‘CENTS PER YEAR. A SRS Cael — ! a: 4 = = ' :: U “ Contents. ‘The Psychic Nature of Bird Song, Morton E. Peck, - mA The Psychic Nature of Bird Song, Mrs. Mary L. Rann, Mc aie hake The Third Annual Congress of the Iowa atric © Ass'n: Gar Economic Study, - - : - : SME 0. A Call to Duty, — - - = eg 10 Bird Migration in lowa—Instructions to Coliabonakany “ie AG Notes and News, - - - - - ea ites 8: sul Book Review, : z a oy. bs 3 hee 15 Olficers and Committees of the Iowa Ornithological ascii, 1ISOo7-1898. OFFICERS. BROWWN., J. H. President. TRIEM, Mrs. M. A., Vice President. LAW, J. HUGENE, Secretary. SAVAGE, DAVID L., Editor-Treasurer. MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, NEWELL, WILMON, Chairman. BALL, CARLETON f. LOOMIS, W.W. FINANCE COMMITTEE. HENNING, CARL FRITZ, Chairman. — . BURGE, GEORGE H. GIDDINGS, Hi J: The Iowa Ornate pologiee: ! Published as the official organ of the Iowa Ornithological Asso- ciation, is edited by David L. Savage, Salem, lowa. TERMS:—40c per year, strictly in advance. Sample copies 10e. ree to Honorary Members and to Active and Associate Members of the I. O. A. not in arrears for dues. Entered as second class mail at the Post Office, Ames, Iowa. Address all communication to DAVID L. SAVAGE, Salem, Iowa. Advertising Rates. Terms Cash with Order, One Page, : - . - Hach insertion, $1 One-half Page : - j - oe “h One-fourth Page - - : a “3 One Inch : “ 00 -00 ,00 00 RooS> _ Brief special announcements, ‘‘Wants,”’ “Exchanges,” ‘For Sale,” in- _ " _ serted in this column free to all members and subscribers of the Iowa _ % iy ORNITHOLOGIST. Dealers can use these columns at regular advert TBI | yy rates only. . a a __WantTeD— Walter Raine’s ‘‘Bird Nesting in Northwest Canada,” Goss, _ %f _ Birds of Kansas,’’ and Vol. I of the Nidiologist. Have to offer in éx- _ change for the same, specimens, or books on Ornithology. Send cashof- _ fer or list of specimens desired and inclose stamp for reply. Yourchance _ fora good bargain. Carl Fritz Henning, Boone, Iowa. A I WantEep—A good second hand copy of Hornaday’s ‘Taxidermy and _ Zoological Collecting.’’ Write at once, stating condition of book and lowest cash price. C. L. Passmore, Iola, Wis. sya i f GET your eye on our premium offer in this issue. Subscribe—and get “ik your friends to subscribe with you. and win some of the finest prizesever _ offered by any magazine. Iowa Ornithologist, Salem, Ia. if _ WantTeD—A good camera. either Kodak or view, for general purposes. _ + Thave to offer in exchange any of my 150 mounted specimens of birdsin — bee my collection, or complete sets of eggs with data. A large series to select _ from. Carl Fritz Henning, Boone, Ia, Br ‘WanTED—To exchange plants of Iowa for grasses from Iowa and other states. Also for sale or exchangea herbarium consisting of three hun- dred specimens, representing two hundred and fifty species of lowa plants. correctly named and neatly mounted- Correspondence solicited. ©C.R. Ball, Ames, Iowa. eid nonce PLEASANT FIELDS AND WOODLANDS | If you are fond ot fresh air and restful, rural re- treats, read GAMELAND, the gentle magazine of outdoor life. It reveals virgin woods and waters. Yearly,to anyaddress,$1 Three trial numbers, 25c. No free copies, _GAME- 1anD Pup. Co., 13 Astor Place, New York, N.Y. PoviebrA: NS SS ee ee The modern stand- _ ard Family Med | | Ammen nnenmnnennnnysy ee Cures the | | = wity DON’T YOU TAKe = a eS common every-day «THE... = Midland [onthly? ills of humanity. add = = = > =—- = _—s? ==>” Itis beautifully and profusely illustrated and its == Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent =S— the lest Midland Talent, which proves to be sur- SS, =, prisingly good. =, oncy $1.50 oa vean. = = = => ange aN = ONE GIVES RELIEF. _ \ Address us direct or write to i= JOHNSON BRIGHAM | F — — PUS. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, ia. ==! = | anni Hs, | ( Colle a Free of Charge to Students of lowa. Afforded by the Iowa State College of Acme 6} and Mechanic Arts. Both Preparatory and Fr classes all begin July 19, 1898. Large foment Her seasoue ate living oan oi coda Onericn You can have an “illustrated dium free by addressing A number of premiums were offered last year Nae a res alt 5 isfactory that we have decided to make a larger offer no 500 New Subscribers scat before the next issue. Note the magnificent offer made by Wi ell of Ames, of a finely mounted Snowy Owl, cash thee Lis $15.00 > to the person obtaining the largest number of subscribers. will not be given to apy person securing less than forty Again, Mr Carl Fritz Henning, of Boone, makes ~ Another Big Offer Da as follows: ‘‘To the person securing the largest number of su the IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST I oe the prize, Bb. 00. worth cluding a set of Krider’s Hawk, 1g. which was offere last year, and which I had the pleasure of securing.” ing the prize offered by Mr. Newell however, will be. ing this one.’? In both the above offers the securin curing of a new associate member, as one subscription close June 1, 1898. Show this issue to your friends and you trouble in securing subscribers. Goto work at once, someone else has seeured all the subpcr bere in Sins J. E. GUTHRIE y, Go forth under the open sky h) : d list to Nature’s Teachings. 4 | a The lowa : NG o bot | Or nithologtst. : & oO | sunt Go fort . is : " ss APRIL 1898. i Wvoi 4 ae Nowe A ¢ - : Te eas A W ere at Ames, Lowa. A 3 ae a Y) Published for ..: AN b) J , ‘ y é We Che Sowa Ornithological 40 CENTS A OWA Cissociation. PER YEAR. ) a! A AP AF A A Na I DI i ee ee eee BOOK HREVIE Wesel ksh ee wm ote cote sped vaee eee eee List-ot Members ofthe 1. (Ot Avs apnea Pes ote Ep * Gesoanen a0et808. OFFICERS: BROWN, J, H., President. TRIEM, MRS. M, A., Vice President. LAW, JS. E pees Scag MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. NEWELL, WILMON, Chairman. BALL, CARLETON fe rae 5 . BURGE, GEOR GE H, THE IOWA ORNITHOLC Published as the official organ of the Iowa Ornithological A ciation, is edited by David L Savage, Salem, Iowa. — y Terms-=40 cents per year in advance. Sample Peay. 10 dents. One Page, - - < 2 = Sinn One-half Page - - - = Sy One-fourth Page - - - =! OneInch - - - < a ite Brief special announcements, “Wants,” “Exchanges,” ‘‘For Sale,” inserted in this column free to all members and subscribers of the lows ORNITHOLOGIST. Dealers can use these columns at regular adver- tising rates only. ~ Wanrep—Stomachs, with full data of Birds of Prey of Iowa, also well make skins of Iowa Field Mice and Shrews. Will give good exchange in skins and other specimens. it -WiLMoN NEWELL. Ames, Lowa. WANTED—Walter Raine’s ‘‘Bird ‘ Nesting in Northwest Canada,” Goss, Birds of Kansas,” and Vol. I of the Nidiologist. Have to offer, in ex _ change for the same. specimens, or books on Ornithology. Send cash offer or list of specimens desired and -ineclose stamp for reply. Your chance ss for a good bargain. Carl Firtz Hen- oe ning, Boone, Iowa. _ Wanrep—A good second hand copy of Hornaday’s *‘Taxidermy and Zoological Collecting.” Write at once, stating condition of book and | _ lowest cash price. C. L. Passmore, ~ lola, Wis. For SaLE—Ata bargain, a Fore- _ hand, Double Barrel. 12 gage hamer- less Shotgun, original price $65.00. Write at once. Wilmon Newell. _ Ames, Iowa. 2 WanrED—Geological Reports of La, TW Neb., Ind., Ohio, Mich., and N.Y. Any one having any of the _ above for sale please correspond with Prof. J. K. Savage, lowa City. Ia. ~Wantep—To exchange plants of +: ¥ . ’ lowa for grasses from Llowa and other states. Also for sale or ex- hange a herbarinm consisting of ing two hundred and fifty species of Iowa plants correctly named and neatly mounted. Correspondance solicited. ©. R. Ball, Ames, Iowa. THOLOGIST is a bu good advertising Medium for Railroads, Hotels, Sport- ing Goods Houses, Booksellers, ete. ee DCCAUSC It is the Official Organ of the IOWA ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION a society of college students, business and professional men throughout the northern Mississippi valley. Who se- cures their good will and patronage seeures a good thing. ‘‘A hint to the wise is sufficient.” THE IOWA ORNI- | ARM. wire KLONDIKE 4 st betche Be V6 ve Gay A nS Wa y Pre ap | ae) aly MS Tes. x gu 5 | ey Consider — if you can keep the wet out a) v \ ‘ of your rifle it will not 7‘wsimorfreeze. Only Fe e » Marl * Marlin Repeaters { have Solid Tops, shedding water likea ° yA duck’s back. Our 1/7-page book (just out) Be tells all about them. Up-to-date infor- \y mation about vowders.blackandsmoke- Be Jess; proper sizes, auantities, how to load; Ranteas of bullets, lead, alloyed, jacketed, soft-nose dl, mushroom, are ry trajectories, velocities, penetrations. Al 1 calibres 22 to 45; how to care for arms and | Py 1,000 other things, including many trade a? secrets never before given to the public. *% | 34 Free if you will send stamps for postage to 'i/ * The Marlin Firearms Co., New Haven, Ct. _\i) » @ BI Ee ayn 8 1 OMRON NORE A number of premiums were offered last year and the result so satisfactory that we have decided to.make a larger offer no We want 500 New Subscribers before the next issue. Note the mag- — nificent offer made by Wilmon Newell, of Amos, of a finely mounted _ ; cash valué of © + + Snowy Owl oa “ Aa to the person obtaining the largest number of subscribers. THIBy so premium will nol be given to any person securing less than forty ~~ subseribers. Again, Mr. Cari Fritz Henning, of Boone, makes — Bhat anotheb big offer as follows: ‘To the person securing the largest number of subscribers to The lowa Ornithologist I offer-the prize, — $5.00 WDorth of Sets + < including a set of Krider’s Hawk, %, which was offerea by Pres. Brown last year. and which [had the pleasure of securing. Tb person receiving the prize offered by Mr. Newell, however, will bi barred from receiving this one’*’ In both the above offers the se- curing of a new active member to the Association shall count as, — two subscriptions. and the securing of a new associate member. as_ one subscription. Both offers will close June 1, 1898. -Show this issue to your friends and you will have no froubdle in securing sub- seribers. Go to work at once—do not wait until someone else has i secured all the subscribers in your neighborhood, * Sieh Lowa Orntthologist, Salem, Fi : 3), PO Rae sts ot) PLEASANT FIELDS AND WOODLANDS } If you are fond o1 fresh, . air and restful, rtralre- treats, read GAMELAND, aw f . oyelear ies acta ro eae et woods and waters. eet The modern. Yearly, to anyaddress,$1 J | ee +E ct aa Three trial numbers, 25c. w No free copies. “AME- LAND Pur. Co., 13 Astor a4 Place, New York. N.Y. N om Bo Vit eA ite Sa UMN RO TNMNNICUS., | =H ils of fhuma WHY Been any TAKS = gy TmADe sees Midiand [onthly? a \é It is beautifully and profusely illustrated «and its Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent “2s the best Midland Talent, which proves to be sur- == — ~~ GA eee RGeU RS prisingly good. i = RSE EE ES es es oncy $1.50 a yearn. CaN pee Bae ae OA p s=|MARINE SHELLS , Add dt i au CURIOS. 4 Idress us direct or write to = specimens. Collections of Choic = JOHNSON BRIGHAM <_ from 25e to $1 sent postpa d SS FUG. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, is, <= Tival guaranteed. All are y = and are perfect. i NZ AS iii a eS fates ae eee ma en J. H. HOLMES, 0 “GO FORTH UNDER THE OPEN Sky, AND LIST TO NATURE'S TEACHINGS.” Doco) oO OO, Oe (2) (e) Gp) The _ __lowa Ornithologist. Or DO¢ 5EO5R ax YANG: fa) DAGERODRGME ROO otGo OG (=) lees aS €9)2 ae 2 2 D)o(00} OG’ JULY, 1398, 25 ° ‘fs ROE: Mm em - oy CO Od o fe) a A Quarterly Magazine =. C) (2) © gai’. —DEVOTED TO— — Ornithology and Oology. ee PUBLISHED FOR The lowa Ornithological Association. Sere aaa us CENTS PER YEAR. NO. DG OR LIRQWOROOAGOAS ©9)2G0}92G9)9@0) ododGodGet Ge oS {>} 9 fe} SORONRONQCNRODAO DAS DRO PICGOHLODIOD2GOSaDIGD)OEDOGDIaGb)o oO a fa) f=) fo} ° o fo} So ie} 2S fo) iS) SF ole) fe) ) Re o fo) ‘J ° So DOMoo@' ° ROOK DG f=) ARMS FOR THE KLONDIKE \. \. ust Be chosen with on Zs eee eS Zip. ») \CAR = WHY DON’T YOU TAKS =) \ = THE = | = wee pee z= f = - i = Midland [jonthly? & a = » => It is beautifully and profusely illustrated and its = == Papers. Descriptive Stories and Poems represent “==> => the best Midland Talent, which proves to be sur- <5 => prisingly good. zx ‘ = oncy $1.50 a vean. SS = = = = = >, Address us direct or write to eS =< JOHNSON BRIGHAM = % PUB. MIDLAND MONTHLY, DES MOINES, IA. se! = iS, | : ee Consider—if you can keep the wet out of your rifle it will not rus/norfreeze. Only Marlin Repeaters | have Solid Tops, Se oe water likea duck’s back. Our 1or-pege book (just out) tells all about them to-date infor- 8 mation about vowders, blaek and smoke- \ > less; popes sizes, quantities, how to jJ loads undreds of bullets, lead, alloyed, 5 3 jacketed, soft-nosed, mushroom, etc. } <0. trajectories, velocities, penetrations. All 8 “ ealibres22to45;howtocareforarmsand La 1,000 other things, including many trade secrets never before given to the public. a an ee if you will send stamps for postage to The Marlin Firearms Co., New Haven, Ct. PLEASANT FIELDS AND WOODLANDS £ you are fond ot fresh air and restful, ruralre- ireats, read GAMELaND, the gentle magazine of outdoor life. t reveals virgin woods and waters. Yearly, to anyadcress,$1 Three trina] num: bce 25¢. No free copies. (1 AME- LAND’ Pur. Co., 13 Aster Place, New York, N.Y. OFFICERS AND COMMITTIES OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 1897—1898. ' OFFICERS. BROWN, /. A. President. TRIEM,Mrs. M, A. Vice Presi LAW, /. ‘EUGENE, Secretary, SAVA os DAVID TL, Editor- Treas, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. NEWELL, WILMON, Chairman. De ee BALL, CARLETON R. LOOMTS, W. Ww - | FINANCE COMMITTEE. , . HENNING, CARL FRITZ, Chairman. eee BURGE, GEO. H, GIDDINGS, H. J The Iowa Ornithologist. Published as the official organ of the lowa Ornithological Association, is” ee edited by David L. Savage, Salem, lowa, ae, TERMS :—40 cents per year. strictly in advance. Sample copies 10 cents. Free ie Honorary Members and to Active and Associate Members of the I. O. A. not in arrears for dues, Entered as second class matter at the Post Office, Ames, lowa. as Address all communication to DAVID L. SAVAGE, Salem, lowa. y ADVERTISING RATES. Terms, cash With order. One page, , Each Insertion $10.00. One-half page One-fourth page, *‘ 3.00. 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BOX, 190, DC Chicopee Falls, Mass. : \ OWRD OO OS: SOOUWUIOOUION2 5 as} DO fe} ©, le)S°¥ ole) [e} () oO aK fo) g BAAS, 02)0{(coO 2626 (e) () fo) =) @0}2 60) {o) So, (so) ee a ee ee ‘s} fo) oS C) teh (el) i=) (=) oS, 4D}9(6D fo) Ae) (>) .o} te) ol (eh®) {e) (le) 2 2a Od z is) Ox fs) sc ES EC Le} oO Any one, without experience and with no instruction other than contained in the manual furnished, can make beautiful photographs with the PREMO CAMERA. 2 eV & Catalogue sent free upon application, # a For 5 cents we will enclose sample photograph. eM Rochester Optical Co., ROCHESTER, N. Y. poe we od “= oad Ay oy . of Ny wee, laa yi 4 ‘ : ae f I