IOWA BIRD LIFE PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION EDITED BY PETER C. PETERSEN Volumes XLVI-L 1976-1980 (A COMPLETE INDEX WILL BE FOUND AT THE END OF VOL. L) EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION OFFICE 235 McClellan blvd. DAVENPORT, IOWA 52083 Printed by the Monticello Express, Monticello, Iowa. IOWA BIRD LIFE Vol. XLVI No. 1 March 1976 Published by the IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION [OWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 VOL* XLVI No. 1 MARCH 1976 PAGES 1-36 CONTENTS MORE CHANGES IN COMMON NAMES 3 CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS 4-14 IVORY GULL 15-16 SPRING CONVENTION 16 BIRDING AREAS OF IOWA 17-19 UNUSUAL NESTS 19-20 NIGHT HERON FEEDING 20-21 FIELD REPORTS .21-25 GENERAL NOTES 26-28 OBITUARIES 28-29 BOOK REVIEWS .29-36 COVER 36 OFFICERS OF THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION President - Dorothy A. Brunner, Nora Springs, Iowa 50458 Vice-President - George E. Crossley, 1890 Wood St., Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Secretary - Mrs. Mary Lou Petersen, 235 McClellan Blvd., Davenport, Iowa 52803 Treasurer - Mrs. Ruth E. Buckles, 5612 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50310 Editor - Peter C. Petersen, 235 McClellan Blvd., Davenport, Iowa 52803 Librarian - Mrs. Beryl Layton, 1560 Linmar Drive, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 Executive Council: Beryl Layton, Cedar Rapids, Iowa John Osness, Waterloo, Iowa Mrs. Charles Ayres, Ottumwa, Iowa Robert Nickolson, Sioux City, Iowa The Iowa Ornithologists’ Union was organized at Ames, Iowa, February 28, 1923, for the study and protection of native birds and to promote fraternal relations among Iowa bird students. The central design of the Union's official seal is the American Goldfinch, designated State Bird of Iowa in 1933. Publication of the Union: Mimeographed letters, 1923-1928; THE BULLETIN 1929-1930; IOWA BIRD LIFE beginning 1931. SUBSCRIPTION RATE: $5.00 a year, single copies $1.25. Subscriptions to the magazine is included in all paid memberships, of which there are six classes as follows: Life Member, $100.00, payable in four equal installments; Contributing Member, $15.00 a year ; Supporting Member, $10.00 a year; Family Member, $8.00 a year; Regular Member, $5.00 a year; Junior Member (under 16 years of age), $2.00 a year. EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATION OFFICE 235 McClellan blvd, DAVENPORT, IOWA 52803 Published quarterly by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union at 235 McClellan Blvd.. Davenport, Iowa. 52803. Second class postage paid at Davenport , Io wa . Subscription $5.00, single copies $1 .25. MORE CHANGES IN COMMON NAMES 3 More Changes in Common Names PETER C. PETERSEN 235 McClellan Blvd. DAVENPORT, IOWA About three years ago (O.B.L.V 0 L 43 p. 35-S)the changes in the American Or- nithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds were summarized. Now the American Birding Association Check-list has been published with additional changes. Since we are beginning a new series of issues of Iowa Bird Life which will be indexed together it seems wise to adopt these new names in our journal now. We understand they will be included in the next revisions of A Field Guide to the Birds by R. T. Peterson and Birds of North America by Robbins, Bruun, Singer and Zim which are expected by next year as well as in American Birds. The following list gives the new name and the old. Please use them in any article you submit for publication. The next revision of the I. 0. U. field card will utilize these names also. Old Name New Name White Pelican American White Pelican Anhinga American Anhinga Wood Ibis Wood Stork White-fronted Goose Greater White-fronted Goose Black Duck American Black Duck Pintail Common Pintail Goshawk Northern Goshawk Marsh Hawk Northern Harrier Bob white Common Bobwhite Turkey Wild Turkey American Golden Plover Lesser Golden Plover Knot Red Knot Great Black-backed Gull Greater Black-backed Gull Least Tern Little Tern Screech Owl Common Screech Owl Eastern Wood Pewee Eastern Pewee Common Raven Northern Raven Common Crow American Crow Long-billed Marsh Wren Marsh Wren Short-billed Marsh Wren Sedge Wren Mockingbird Northern Mockingbird Starling European Starling Northern Parula Northern Parula Warbler Cardinal Northern Cardinal Dark-eyed Junco Northern Junco Tree Sparrow American Tree Sparrow The A.B.A. check list is a 72 page book available from the American Birding Association, Box 4335, Austin, Texas, for $3.50. It is a very convenient place to record your life list and has space for several state lists. Sections in the back list specific records for the rarest species and updating the list with annual sup- plements printed in Birding. 4 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 PETER C. PETERSEN 235 McClellan Blvd, DAVENPORT, IOWA The 1975 Iowa Christmas Bird Census was a record breaker from several aspects. New records were established for number of species seen with 117, ob- servers with 424 (many people participated in more than one count, two observers were on six) and numberof stations reporting with 34. You will find only 32 in the table as two stations did not submit weather and time data and are included at the end of the station data summaries. The only Blue-winged Teal recorded were on one of these counts. Space for the table did not permit including totals of all in- dividuals of each species . Ames took a count but did not submit a report , Davenport again led in number of species (twenty -third consecutive year) with 82, tying their previous high. Their excluding of two species not sufficiently documented prevented a new record being set. Other high species counts included Clinton ($5), Cedar Rapids ( 61 ), Omaha and Princeton (60), and Oakville (59). It is difficult to say why a new species record was set but the improvement in the ability of observers and their equipment, the mildness of the season and number of weekend days with very favorable weather all contributed. The Lack of snow cover on many counts probably reduced the number of Horned Larks and Meadowlarks seen. The list of rarities is topped by the Ivory Gulls first state record, seen at Lake Rathbun (see details in next article). Also noteworthy were a American White Pelican and a Caspian Tern, both new to the all time list of Iowa Christmas Census species which now stands at 168. A Varied Thrush was seen (although it and the pelican were in Illinois) as well as a late lingering Swainson’s Hawk, Gray Catbird and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Reported from all stations were the Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, European Starling, House Sparrow, Northern Junco and Am. Tree Sparrow. Species represented by only one individual included American White Pelican, Turkey Vulture, Swainson's Hawk, Ivory Gull, Gray Catbird, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Lincoln's Sparrow. The Hermit Thrush found in the compiler front yard would not have been found withou the use of a tape recorder. Evening Grosbeaks were up with 134 reported from 10 stations versus 11 at two stations in 1974. L ALLEMAN (15 mile diameter circle centered on Alleman and including Big Creek Lake, Chichaqwa Wildlife Refuge, Jester Park, Saylorville Dam north to Jester Park, and areas between these), December 23: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm. Temp. : 20-24; wind: none. Overcast, no open water and no snow cover. Observers (2) in l party: Dean and Diane Mosman. Other species seen during census period: Loggerhead Shrike, Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting. Tape recorder used to attract Common Screech and Barred Owls. CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS 5 2. BENTONSPORT (15 mile diameter circle centered on Fisher home west of Bentonsport, and including Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, country roads, railroad right-of-way, Des Moines River bottoms and bluffs. ) December 31: 8:00 a. m. to 4:45 p.m. Temp.: 26-31; wind: 0-15 mph from ESE. Overcast, fog and haze, oc- casional light snow flurries in afternoon ; one inch snow cover ; river partly open to open near bridges and old dams, otherwise ice-covered. Observers (2) in 1 party: Kathy Fisher (compiler), Mike Zahs, plus Oneita Fisher at feeder. Details of unusual observations: About half an hour after the start of our count, we saw the eagle perched in a tree along the river near the Kilbourne bridge, and stopped to watch it and to see if there might be a companion. As we watched, a flock of seven birds came into view. They began flying back and forth and around the eagle, and without using binoculars it was apparent that they were gulls -- but when you focused on them with binoculars it became equally apparent that two of the birds were different. They were the same size as the gulls and were acting the same, but the first thing that struck you was that the tops of their heads were dark; there was no other black plumage. As we concentrated on those two, we culd clearly see the forked tail and the dark bill and legs. The only possible identification was Caspian Tern. We moved upstream to the Kilbourne bridge, hoping for a closer view. The terns flew off upstream ahead of us, but as we stood on the bridge, with the gulls flying overhead, we could dearly see the dark rings on the bills of the Ring-billed, and the near-white Glaucous Gulls. There were at least 15 gulls flying or sitting on the ice near the bridge. We encountered gulls all along the river, including one “family” group of Herring Gulls - 2 adults, one juvenile in 2nd winter plumage and one in 1st winter plumage. Just as we got to the house at the dose of the count, a flock of 47 gulls flew overhead, headed southeast. Comments: Mourning Doves were completely absent, and the only Meadowlarks were together in one flock. 3. BURLINGTON (A 15-mile diameter circle center on highway 99 at Flint Creek bridge and including Lock and Dam 18, Carthage and Crystal Lakes, Crapo Park). December 20: 5 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Temp.: 28-35; wind: 20 mph from N. Overcast, no snow cover, Mississippi 5 percent ice covered. Observers (9) in 4 parties: Bruce Bosley, Charles and Ellen Fuller, Jane and Lowell Fuller, Anna Mae and Peter Lowther (compiler ), Audrey and Paul Niemann. Other species seen during census period: Common Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. 4. CEDAR RAPIDS (15 mile diameter circle centered on the Federal Building including Cedar Lake, Marion Springs, woodlands, orchards, nurseries, cemeteries, roadsides). December 20: 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Temp. : 21-27; wind; 15-20 mph from WNW changing to light. Overcast with no precipitation; ground bare; water areas open with smallest streas and edges of larger ones frozen. Observers (23) in 5 parties: Curt Abdouch, Warren Barclay, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Beam, Mike Boley, Dr. Duane Carr, Irene Haerther, Eldon Johnson, Beryl Layton, Lucile Liljedahl, Brian Nelson, Weir Nelson, Roberta OppedaW, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Rosenberg, Lillian Serbousek (compiler), Bobbie Shaffer, Rob Vane, Dr. Robert Vane, Dr, Peter Wickham, Myra Willis, Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich Zobac. Other species seen during census period: Canada Goose, Golden Eagle (seen in good light at about 50-75 feet, identifying markings well observed in flying overhead), Snowy Owl. Comments : Tape recordings used to attract some owls. 5. CLINTON (15 mile diameter circle centered on Elk River Jct M Iowa, same as previous years.) January 3: 5:40a.m. to 5 :20 p.m. Temp.: 6-12; wind: 20-25 mph 6 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 from W. Mostly clear, ground bare, river 75 percent ice covered. Observers U3) in 4 parties: Joel Ellefson, Mark Henderson, Andy Hubbell, Daryl Jahn, Pat Lanaghan, Fred and Jonathan Lesher, Allan Mueller, Mary Lou Petersen, Peter C. Petersen (compiler), Paul Van Nieuwenhuyse and Walter Zuurdeeg. Details of unusual observatons: Northern Goshawk seen in flight near Thomson, 111. : - ■ W O ■ : : “=! 2 s - rt in « , ^ . 1 g§ * : ::**!: ■ « w : «7 ■ ■ ■ ■ « ■ ■ - a * ;'!I : : :3 : » r» -a ^ : ' ” ft p> ! | “ -as « oe ^ - r T *? : :sa rr*: "S 3 : « “S : " 5 : i ■ .— < « CD ; ■ ■ ** ■ ■ ■ g 82 “J- no rt -h ® W ■ r-l * S S : n m — — e rt : : as a « ■ « s s - - • : : — kft ^ ; a " : l> * ^ (A lA o> * ** ■ : “ : | 9 -# R S" • * s . a 283 : " 8 S ; *=« ^ rt ^ :- t ' a " s^r : - « a t a M ; ; . |S. •*y : " : - a ^ s - • - • « i ;a : -a :T ■S« : ” ” a ¥J rt h rt »ft nn ® t: r- ; « ■’T : * ::::-: • ^-« r-i : ft S 3 a :*- . : - a 3 ‘IT ; : : :- -r -i W ^ «® S “ Pj ■ - « — a o ^ g - «« ^ « 2 1 2 - S“" : 1 E = = - : © « T ;-*! « 3 — < « ” s ^ a E - - S 3 " 3 -* ■ M g * " — i S ( 5 a :gS : S3- ft £ - - . Isi 5 |- 15 = s ’S =3 n£ 3 .2 _ E S i ? i- r. s|£ f } £ * * * S| = mill** s 1 1 1 -: • i? _- T s_ I 1=1 = 1 e si? ‘O = 3 ^ 5 o u ! Sillfl ? * X = ■ £ s -g 9 « S : ^ S S K 5 2 S ^ : .- :5 I"" 2" s gSi : * - -h e* HlA s ^ ijd ia ^ n |jj ■* ■ 3 :3 " ■ p» ■ : :S8 r ss r *| s & “2SSSS « ;i : : S :S “ - -ca m ■ S 3 ; ^ : 5 a - - a a "2 " : : : 2 “ - ■ - : s ^ " a « ^ £J *1 * KJ : : a 3 2 « » - S _ „ _ fc ^ CD f”> £jl ■ «-■ :« : - f I s : ;1 : j* S| ”■ S t m cn |g 3* « ^ : | W"> ■3 g ts ^ * w a li s I2T c 5 *". S S^l2Ss0i r ^ w ” M "" ;- : - 8 3 • »A S ^ ^ SI 4- r- ^ 1 £ -F ^ 'rtSHH** ' a a- ■ as « s 2 -SSSggSJS-" - : ;8 : 2 = n - o n n rt ^ . 8? : : - ; ■ sr TT £ <■* £ a s s ~ « - :p : * " 2 : S : i*a . - . : rt : a ^ ^ 2 « “I "I SS3 - S'* - : S & :2£ 2 3;”"3 |“SZS"” “* : - “ £ S : 2 ^ : - 5 ^ a Ok ■ t— fv t£ gj OD M 2 r : P §- -s 2 " S - rt - ¥8^ 2 (-*■ DP 40 O tD ■«*■■"• ur. — C5 iw 55 ■-* S 3 ” - a - p s s t6 g — - = r Ol 2 as $ 2 3 3 £ ~ ^ ~ : & £ O « ^ F: : - : - s S 3 a £ 3 88 : Tf flD "P SB” « 2^3 S8833 : - : § I 8 £ ¥ M 5 « * ^ ~a-S5S2K r ~" : :-! i 1 So 2S3 S?iS5 s 5 a **& w f 3 : i>- «& r» *r * c* — -r r~ tn m *r « & *r» m — — d> . 115 : s “1 I fi-aaass £ 5 a 8 6 : "Ss - a SB 1 * oi s arspsr^ 1 *" - - S 1 o in as ^ « ‘ r* 3 -r 10 ■ " - : „ : - :« S 8 § - a 1 s :::-;: 8 " " g* “! "* " § £ 2 « H O sg :" : " 8 " “ 0 W S |s g Si g li? * It i ■ 2 ‘iflg|*.Ssg ^ I S # i. J ^ Lapland Long spur 10 [OWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 Details of unusual observations ; Some Oregon race juncos were in with a large group of Northern Juncos. Comments : Seemed to be few birds moving, even though it was a nice day. A pair of Evening Grosbeaks are feeding reguarly at a feeder at Aurelia, and a large group (approximately 10) were spotted in Cherokee. 14. MARBLE ROCK (up to a 10 mile diameter circle centered on Marble Rock and including the Winnebago Scout Camp, Ackley Creek and unnamed springs empting in the Shell Rock River.) December 27: 7:30 a.m. to 5: 00 p.m. Temp.: 18- 24; Wind: 3-8 mph from S. Very much overcast, occasional nonaccumulating snow during a.m., open ground no snow cover, scattered open water on river near springs. Observers (2) in 1 party (plus one at a feeder): Doris Enabnit, Pearl Knoop and Tom Staudt (compiler). Details of unusual observatons: Surprised by the number of Mouring Doves, all in one flock in a cornfield. The Rufous-sided Towhee was seen on successive days with Northern Cardinals in a juniper grove. Other species seen during census period: Red-tailed Hawk and Purple Finch. Comments: Previous to count day there was a good response by Great Horned and Common Screech Owls to tapes and we expected to have more of each of the count. However, only one Common Screech Owl responded on count day. The Great Horned was sighted during the early a.m. 15. MARSHALLTOWN (15 mile diameter circle centered on E27 one mile east of Highway 14 and including Union Grove Lake, same as previous years. ) January 3: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Temp.: 8-0; Wind: 10-20 mph from NW. Sunny to partly cloudy, very cold, light snow showers at times, no snow cover. Lake completely frozen, Iowa River partially open in places. Observers (24) in 5 parties: plus 4 at feeders, Mrs. Bernard Christensen, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Crowther, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Eige, Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Glasgow, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Graham, Wendell Graham, Mrs. Carl Hollingsworth, Mrs, Richard Huff, Mr. and Mrs. John King, Ruth Knights, Carl Kurtz, Mrs. Otis Lacey, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. James Pleambeck, Mr. and Mrs. Les Ralston, Mr. Burton Reeder, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Savage (compiler), Mr. and Mrs. James Wignall, Ruth Zorn. Details of unusual observatons: Eastern Bluebird seen at Union Grove Lake by four observers. Brewer’s Blackbird seen several times at a feeder at the residence of Ruth Zorn. Other species seen during census period: American Robin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Harris’s Sparrow, Pileated Woodpecker, Winter Wren, Barred Owl and Loggerhead Shrike. 16. McKAlN’S ACCESS (15 mile diameter circle centered on McKain’s Access (Skunk River) in SW Washington County and including Lake Darling State Park, Brinton Timber Co. Park, river bottom, country roads, fields, railroad right-of- way.) January 2: 8:00 a.m. to 4:0 p.m. Temp,: 21-19; Wind: 15-30 mph from W, Overcast, occasional light snow flurries; no snow cover; lake almost completely ice-covered, few open areas in river. One observer - Kathy Fisher. Details of unusual observations: Pheasants and Mourning Doves completely missing from the list this year. Other species seen during census period: Horned Lark, Canada Goose, Evening Grosbeak and Mallard. Comments: This count gets more depressing every year. The amount of good habitat that’s been bulldozed or plowed away in this area in the past 2 years is frightening. Strong wind and low temperatures made this a bad day for a count, but don’t really account for the low totals; where there was cover, there were birds . CHRISTMAS CENSUS 1 1 17. MUSCATINE (15 mile diameter circle centered on Lock and Dam 16, same as previous years.) December 20: 5:30a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Temp. : 12-25; Wind: 12-25 mph from NW. Overcast to cloudy, ground bare, river 50 percent ice covered. Observers (7) in 3 parties: Bill Bertrand, Mark Henderson, Allan Mueller, Mary Lou Petersen, Peter C, Petersen (compiler), Ernie Sadler and Walter Zuurdeeg. 18. NORTHERN LINN COUNTY (Center of count, N.E. corner intersection of Section 19, Maine Township, T-85 N and R-6W Longitude 91 degrees, Latitude 42 degrees, Linn County, Iowa). December 27: 8:00 a. m. to 4:30 p.m. Temp.: 20-25; Wind: a.m. 5 mph from W, 5-10 mph from S (p.m.). Overcast skies, and no snow, creeks and backwaters frozen. Natural food supply good. Observers (15) in 4 parties: (plus 2 at feeders) Norman Byers, Duane Carr, Harold Etzel, Gene Goellner, Ruth Goellner, Vi Groth, Irene Haerther, Lucile Liljedahl, Weir Nelson (compiler), Brian Nelson, Roberta Oppedahl, Bert Rosenberg, Bobbie Shaffer, Pete Wickam and Myra Willis, (Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Deen at home feeder, Cen- tral City). Details of unusual observations : One Red Crossbill seen close up by three very experienced observers. Comments: This is the first annual North Linn count, and with 41 species, and only one of these waterfowl, we feel this was an excellent beginning, and look forward to even better counts in the future. 19. OAKVILLE (15 mile diameter circle, centered 4 mi. E. of New Boston, 111., same as previous years,) December 22 : 6:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Temp.: 20-38; Wind: 5-10 mph from S. Clear to partly cloudy, ground bare, river open with floating ice. Observers (12) in 4 parties: Ron Cross, Tom J. Early, Frances B. Johnson, Allan Mueller, Peter C. Petersen (compiler), Ortrud Rice, April, Ernie and Sean Sadler, Gertrude Swanson, Edna Woodbury and Walter Zuurdeeg. 20. OMAHA (a fifteen mile diameter circle centered at Offutt Base Lake to include Fontenelle Forest, Lake Manawa State Park, Plattsmouth Waterfowl Refuge and portions of the Platte and Missouri River.) December 20: 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, Temp, ; 36-35; Wind: 9-31 mph from North. Clear to party cloudy, no snow cover, rivers and streams open, lakes frozen. Observers (44) in 10 parties: Rose Andersen, Dave Baden, Steve Bellinghiere, Tanya Bray, James and Sandy Ca vanda, Hal Chase, Marjorie Clayson, Evelyn Conrad, Bob Corcoran, James Delehant, Dorothy Duda, Jim Fischer, Curt Forst, William Fiske, Jim Glather, Marge Graf, Ruth Green, Janet Greer, Mary Harberg, Carl Heaney, Mike Heaney, Tom Heaney, Ann Hodgson, Thomas Hoffman, Gladys Johnson, Diane Jones, Eunice Kawamoto, Mary Kite, Rosalind Knauer, Marian Meier, Alan NaPier, Cathy Nelson, Pat Nicol, Inex Nuland, Doug Gstrem, Marie Pluta, Tony Salado, Kenneth Seger, Elva Sheard, Bab Starr, Melba Wigg (compiler), Gertrude Wood and Jim Zahller. Details of unusual observations: First time to have the Common Redpoll reported on our count. One seen on count day and a small flock seen the following day near Lake Manawa. Tape recorders used to help call out owls. 21. OSKALOOSA (15 mile diameter including Lake Keomeh), December 21: 8:00 to 4 :00p.m. Temp. : 10; Wind: none. No snow, frozen ground, some open water on lake. Observers (4) in 1 party: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ayres, Mr, and Mrs. Keith Layton (compilers). Comments : First time we counted Canada Geese on Lake Keomah, 22. OTTUMWA (15 mile diameter circle, centered on north end of Jefferson Street viaduct in downtown Ottumwa, including Ottumwa Airport northeast of city and YMCA Camp Arrowhead and Forest Lake Baptist Camp southeast of city). January 3: 8:80a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Temp.: Av. 12, Wind: 3-24 mph from NW, light 12 JOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 clouds throughout day , no snow cover, some open water in Des Moines River below hydro plant in Ottumwa and near Cliffland Bridge 5 miles SE of Ottumwa, Observers (24) in 4 parties : Charles C, and Darleen Ayres (compilers), Virgil and Jean Corzette, Bernard and Florence Fulton, Paul and Barbara Riedel, Tom, Becky and Breck Johnson, Blossom Hallberg, Madeline Wymore, Joan Schooley, Sterling and Kay Martin, Nelson and Randy Hoskins, Brian Warren, Mike Grear, all of Ottumwa ; Keith and Irene Layton of Oskaloosa ; Bill and Marge Heusinkveld of Centerville; and Marlin Glasson of Iowa City. Feeder counts were made by Harold and Marge Haller, Dick and Jean McGowan, Donald M. and Mabel Rowe, and Corrine Grogan, all of Ottumwa. Comments: A mockingbird was reported by Blossom Hallberg during the census period. It has been a regular visitor to her feeder. Numerous flocks of Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Siskins were also reported duirng the period. Two adult Bald Eagles were seen after the census period on January 6, about six miles southeast of Ottumwa on the Des Moines River. 23. PINE HOLLOW (15 mile diameter circle to include Farley, and White Pine Hollow Preserve). January l: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p,m. Temp.: 29-34 ; Wind: 10-20 mph from North. Clear, ground bare. Observers (2) in 1 party: George Crossley (compiler), Howard F. Highley. Details of unusual observatons; Common Snipe in spring-fed ditch as in other years; Bald Eagle migrating south. Other species seen during count period : Short- eared Owl. Comment; Count taken each January 1. 24. PRINCETON (15 mile diameter circle, centered at Folletts, same as previous years). December 27: 5:30 a.m. to 5:00p.m. Temp.: 23 to 26; Wind: 3-8 mph from S. Overcast, ground bare, river open with floating ice. Observers (9) in 4 parties (including one feeder): Elton Fawks, Jake and Ruth Frink, Mary Lou Petersen, Peter C. Petersen (compiler), April and Ernie Sadler, George Volrath and Walter Zuurdeeg. Details of unusual observatons: American White Pelican near Cordova Nuclear Plant-present December 21-31 and January 14 into February (EF,JF,RF, MLP,PCP,WZ) S Rufous-sided Towhee seen near Clinton, called up with Common Screech Owl tape (MLP,PCP,WZ). Comments : Great care taken with Eagle count to avoid duplication. 25. RED ROCK LAKE (15 mile diameter circle centered on south end of Mile Long Bridge, Highway 14, including half of Red Rock Refuge, all of Red Rock Lake, Roberts Creek Park, Elk Rock State Park, dam and water below dam). December 28 : 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Temp. : 25-30; wind: 8 mph from S.E. Cloudy, no snow. Lake 99 percent covered, Des Moines River partly open. Observers (34) in 8 parties plus 9 at feeders : Charles and Darleen Ayres, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Bengfort, Gladys Black (compiler), Woody Brown, Gene, Marilyn, Christy and Kim Burns, Virgil and Jean Corzette, Mrs. John DeJong, Herb and Edie Dorow, Victor Doughtery, Mrs. John E, Fee, Paul and Mary Felsing, Mrs. Dale Frye, Karen and Richard Frye, Bill, Frances, Harriet and Paula Heusinkveld, Mr. and Mrs. Stu Kuyper, Keith and Irene Layton, Norma Leydon, Rick and Beth McGeough, Dick Mooney, Phil Myers, Dean, Diane and Mike Mosman, Carl Priebe, Jon and Jay Stravers, Nola Vander Streek and Mary Ellen Warters. Details of unusual observations: The 30,008 Mallards and 1,000 Canada Geese confirmed by Wildlife Biologist Carl Priebe in Red Rock Refuge. Gray Catbird closely observed, rusty under tail coverts seen (GB). See General Notes on Swainson N s Hawk, CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS 13 26. SHENANDOAH (15 mile diameter circle centered on Farragut to include Riverton and adjacent land and water). December 22: 7;00 a.m, to 6:00 p.m. Temp.: 25-38; Wind: 0-10 mph from SW. Mostly clear to partly cloudy, ground bare, fresh water open to partly open. Observers (12) in 4 parties: Rebecca Bern- thal, Barbara Cunningham, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzhugh Diggs, Charles Gee, Timothy Gee, Mrs. Edwin Getscher, Mrs. Donald Jennings, Ross Silcock, Mrs. Eldon Spears, Mrs. Edward Vaughn, Mrs. Donald Walters (compiler). Details of unusual observations: Mr. Donald Priebe, local conservationist helped in giving us the figures for the ducks and geese in the Riverton area since they also took an air count. The Common Redpolls have been feeding on weed seeds in one of the participants back yard for 3 weeks. Other species seen during census period : Barred Owl, Cedar Waxwing. Comments: With most of the farmers fall plowing in this area could this result in no Northern hawks seen? 27. SIOUX CITY (area covered same as previous years). December 20: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Temp. : 19-37; Wind: 15 mph from N.W. Partly cloudy, clear, ground bare, plenty of food crop for birds. Observers (10) in 6 parties: Mike Baldwin, Larry Benne, Carolyn Benne, Steve Benne, Larry Farmer, Roy Jones, Sheila Jones, Bob Nickolson (compiler), Marge Payne and Morgan Webb. Other species seen during census period: Evening Grosbeak, Purple Finch. Comments; A very large number of Mallards were observed est. 5,000 this is more than the past few years , a very mild winter up to this date. 28. SPIRIT LAKE (Using Spirit Lake, Iowa, as a pin-point location, branching out in a 15 mile radius Kettlesons Hogsback, Gull Pt. State Park, various state parks, fields, wooded areas surrounding Iowa Great Lakes, farm windbreaks, private woods and farm ground in and around Center Lake). January 4: 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Temp. : -5 to 5; Wind: 3-6 mph from southwest. Moderate snow cover on roads, snow packed in woodsy areas, very cold, sun was shining and sky was cloudless, all sloughs, lakes and ponds frozen solid, no open water in area. Ob- servers (2) in one party: Ann Barker and Loraine Wallace (compiler). Details of unusual observatons: Only three Ring-necked Pheasants were seen, no hens, leading us to believe pheasants scarce in NW Iowa. Did not see many Horned Larks, which are usually numerous, but did see Purple Finches, which normally are not. Juncos, usually quite plentiful, were also extremely scarce. No White-breasted Nuthatches were seen, and very few reported by anyone main- taining winter feeding stations. Other species seen during census period: Evening Grosbeaks reported by many observers in surrounding towns (mainly at winter feeding stations) but saw none the day of the census. Comments: It has been our observation that the blizzard of January, 1975 had a very noticable effect on both our game birds as well as the songbirds in northwest Iowa. Pheasants, Gray Partridge practically non-existent, where they were overly abundant previous to the blizzard. We think the storm was a greater destroyer of wildlife than any other storm within our memories. 29. WATERLOO (Wapsipinicon River Valley) (15 mile diameter circle cen- tered Maxfield Twp. Bremer Co. Iowa). December 20 : 7:00 a.m, to 4:00 p.m. Temp.: 22-24; Wind: 10-25 mph from NE to NW. Sky overcast with occasionally snow flurries; no snow cover; light moderate, fresh water partly open; wild food crop good. Observers (7) in 1 party: Randy Betsworth, Myrle Burk (compiler), Antoinette Camarata, Russell Hays, Harvey and Annamae Kirchgatter and John Osness, 14 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 30. WEBSTER CITY (15 mile circle center on Briggs Woods including Briggs Woods Lake, open farm country, and selected sections along the Boone River). December 20: 7:45 a.m. to 4:30p.m.; Temp. : 29-23; Wind: 25-35 mph from NNW, Cloudy early, partial clearing until noon, then cloudy, no snow, river 98 percent frozen, lake 100 percent frozen . One observer - Ron Mullenburg. Details of unusaul observatons: Northern Shrike observed near Boone River near top of tree - midafternoon. Other species seen during census period: Evening Grosbeak, Common Red- poll, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch. 31. WESTFIELD (15 mile diameter circle centered on section 16, Sioux township, Plymouth county and including Big Sioux River bottoms), January 4: 7:15 a m. to 5:15 p.m. Temp. : -ll-ll; Wind: 3-14 mph from SE. Mostly sunny, 14 " snow, infrequent patches of open water on Big Sioux. Observers (4 ) in 2 parties: Carolyn, Larence and Steve Beene and Larry Farmer (compiler). Details of unusual observatons : Lone Mallard on small open spot on Big Sioux appeared to be active and alert. Other species seen during census period : American Goldfinch and shrike. 32. WHEATLAND (15 mile diameter circle, center Wheatland), December 26: 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Temp. ; 24-28; Wind: 12-15 mph from N.W. Overcast, ground bare, river ice covered. Observers (12) in 5 parties (including 2 feeders): Esther Copp (compiler), Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Martens, Peter C. Petersen, Jeanette Ruprecht, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Schutte, Brent and Greg Smith, June and Charles Wenthworth and Walter Zuurdeeg. Details of unusaul observations: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a male, seen at close range in pine grove - all field marks noted (CW,JW ) . DECORAH Dec. 27, 1975 - Mallard - 32, Red tailed Hawk - 15, Rough-legged Hawk - 4, Bald Eagle - 2, American Kestrel - 3, Ruffed Grouse - 9, Ring-necked Pheasant - 7, Common Snipe - 4, Rock Dove - 163, Mourning Dove - 8, Common Screech Owl - 1, Barred Owl - 4, Belted Kingfisher - 13, Common Flicker - 1, Pileated Woodpecker - 2, Red-bellied Woodpecker - 33, Red-headed Woodpecker - 57, Hairy Woodpecker - 22, Downy Woodpecker -51, Blue Jay - 201, American Crow - 130, Black -capped Chickadee - 147, Tufted Titmouse - 7, White-breasted Nuthatch - 94, Northern Shrike - 1, European Starling - 529, House Sparrow - 1,155, Brown-headed Cowbird - 1, Northern Cardinal - 166, Evening Grosbeak - 38, Purple Finch - 11, Common Redpoll - 31, Pine Siskin - 87, American Goldfinch - 16, Nor- thern Junco - 416, American Tree Sparrow - 571, Song Sparrow - 2. Total species - 37. Total individuals - 4,034. Observers: Darwin Koenig, Patricia Koenig, O. M. Hovde, Peter Hovde, David Hovde, Ron Lecander, Arnold and Dolores Rohm, Francis Arness, Ruth Fretheim, Verne Koenig, Bud Bahr, Jan Bahr, Allen Brandhagen, Peter Docken, Phil Docken, Wendell Kalsow. YELLOW RIVER FOREST January 2, 1976 - Mallard - 56, Blue-winged Teal - 5, Cooper’s Hawk - 2, Red-tailed Hawk - 10, Bald Eagle - 12, American Kestrel - 1, Ruffed Grouse - 2, American Coot - 1, Rock Dove - 96, Barred Owl - 1, Belted Kingfisher - 8, Common Flicker - 2, Pileated Woodpecker - 3, Red-headed Wood- pecker - 6, Red-bellied Woodpecker - 18, Downy Woodpecker - 23, Hairy Wood- pecker -22, Blue Jay -53, American Crow - 129, Black-capped Chickadee - 97, Tufted Titmouse - 2, White-breasted Nuthatch - 43, Brown Creeper - 1, Carolina Wren - l, Winter Wren - 1, Cedar Waxwing - 9, Northern Shrike - 1, European Starling - 86, House Sparrow - 865, Meadowlark (sp.) - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 42, Northern Cardinal - 165, Pine Siskin - 3, Evening Grosbeak - 53, American Goldfinch - 19, Northern Junco - 274, American Tree Sparrow - 155, Song Sparrow - 4. Total species -38. Total individuals - 2,273. Observers : Darwin Koenig, Pat Koenig, Ovind Hovde, Ron Lecander, Arnie Rohm, Delores Rohm, Francis Arness, Warren Fretheim. IVORY GULL 15 A Rare Ivory Gull at Rathbun Lake CHARLES C. AYRES, JR. 922 N. Green St. OTTUMWA This is the second year that Darleen and I have been invited to assist in taking the Christmas Bird Census at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Iowa, and we were happy that Mrs. R. L. Scott of Seymour and Bill Heusinkveld of Centerville extended the invitation. Though it was a busy time of the year we had no difficulty in finding members of the Ottumwa Bird Club who were glad to join us and as a result Mrs. M. K. Hallberg, Virgil and Jean Corzette, Bernard and Florence Fulton, Mrs. Maldeline Wymore, Gary Wymore and Tom Johnson went with us on December 20, 1975, the date fixed for taking the count. The weather was fairly cooperative with the temperature ranging from 20 to 30 degrees above zero and no snow on the ground. There was, however, a northwest wind which brought with it a suggestion that snow and colder weather were in the offing. Mother Nature made good on the suggestion by producing some snow flurries later in the day. There was considerable open water in the lake and for the most part the waterfowl kept well out of it or on the ice adjacent to it. When our cars approached the shore the birds generally paddled away or took to the air and our Zoom 60 Balscope was given extensive use for better observation. Our group worked the Buck Creek Area on the north shore of the lake in the morning but found nothing unusual except possibly a Great Blue Heron that was looking for food along the icy shore. I could not help but feel that it would be a lot more comfortable wearing a pair of longjohns in that weather. Shortly before noon we drove across the 2 mile long dam that holds the water in the beautiful 11,000 acre lake with its 180 miles of shoreline and met the other census takers for lunch. What with freshly fried chicken, potato chips, bread and butter and other fixins including plenty of hot coffee I feel that this period between 12 noon and 1 p.m. is one of the nicest times during a Christmas count. We left the birder’s feeder at 1 o'clock to begin our afternoon of field work. Our group from Ottumwa was delegated to cover the Island View Area and with two less persons as Fultons had left, we started out with four persons in each of two cars. As we searched the designated area we added some new birds for the day to our list, among them being six Killdeer which we encountered singly and which seemingly enjoyed running a short distance in front of us as we slowly drove along. Little did we realize at that time that within the next few minutes we would be privileged to experience one of those 'once in a lifetime' thrills that make a field trip totally unforge table; that we would see a species of bird never before seen in Iowa. As we drove north out of Walnut City and turned to the left following the road close to the lake we saw a gull on the shore about a hundred feet from us. We knew at once that it was something unusual and as it searched for food we quietly stopped and from the cars studied it through our binoculars and the Balscope, Once the bird suddenly tossed what appeared to be a piece of shell some two or three feet into the air paying no further attention to it. To me that act was an in- dication of disgust at finding that it was not food. Fully five minutes passed as we watched and compared this gull with those shown in Roger T. Peterson’s Field Guide to the Birds and another fine guide Birds of North America by Robbins, Brunn, Singer and Zim. There was no question about it, before us was an immature Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnes. The small size, pure white base color of the body and especially the wings, the dark fleckings and the black legs and feet were enough to 16 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 identify it and when it flew at the closing of a car door we could see narrow, dark subterminal band on the tail. We searched the rest of the afternoon and at least five other days trying to find it again but to no avail. We alerted Thomas Long, the ranger in charge of the area, in the hope that he or someone else at the lake may see it and we intend to make further attempts ourselves. Why didn’t we get a picture of this rare bird? My camera and telephoto lens were in the trunk of the car in which we were riding. Let that be a lesson to you prospective bird photographers. Recently we received from our friend, Richard D. Mooney of Des Moines, a New Hampshire newspaper clipping announcing that an immature Ivory Gull was seen in Salisbury, Massachusetts, three days after we spotted our bird at Rathbun Lake on December 20th. The article states that this is the second rarest gull in the east and has been seen in Massachusetts only ten times in more than two hundred years. One has only to look in the books on birds to find that comparatively little has been written about the Ivory Gull. We have found articles about it in only nine of the ornithological works in our library including the two guides above mentioned and the only illustrations are paintings or pictures taken of museum specimens. P. A. Taverner, in his fine book Birds of Canada, concludes his seventeen line account of the bird with this sentence, “Too rare except in the far north to be further mentioned.” Now perhaps, somewhere in Iowa either flying over or sitting on the icy shore of one of our lakes, or rivers or possibly even a farm pond, this beautiful Ivory Gull may be trying to maintain its life until a strange urge directs it to return to its nesting grounds on one of the islands of the faraway Arctic seas. Convention Many I. O* U. members complain about the frequent conflict between our spring meeting and Mother’s Day. This year our meeting is scheduled for May 15- 16 here in Davenport, the weekend after Mother’s Day. We are hoping for a late migration to ensure lots of warblers and that the Mississippi will be falling to create shorebird habitat. Site for our Saturday paper sessions is the Putnam Museum (formerly the Davenport Museum), located at West Twelfth and Division Streets. The per- manent natural history exhibits will provide interesting viewing between sessions. Among the presentations scheduled are the updating on the ecological situation along the Mississippi by Charles Kulp of the Rock Island office of the Fish and Wildlife Service, a slide presentation on Kent Park, Johnson County, by the man it was named for, Fred Kent and a panel on tips for better birding from Elton Fawks of East Moline, Vernon Kleen of Springfield and Fred Lesher of LaCrosse. The banquet will beat St. John’s United Methodist Church, 14th and Brady Streets, the site of our 1965 banquet. The program will be given by Edwin Meyer of Davenport. Ed will take us to Alaska with a 16 mm. color film. Following an early breakfast on Sunday we will try to establish a new record for an I.O.U. meeting. Trips will cover Credit Island and Lock 14 (flood per- mitting), Scott County Park, Wildcat Den State Park and the banding station at Pine Hill Cemetery . Our luncheon will be a hot meal served at the Davenport Izzak Walton Clubhouse near the intersection of highway 61 and I 80. Enclosed in this issue is a pre-registration blank and list of accomodations. See you May 15. ed. BIRD1NG AREAS OF IOWA 17 Birding Areas of Iowa Cedar and Jones Counties PETER C. PETERSEN 235 McClellan Blvd. DAVENPORT Introduction These two counties form a pocket of uncovered area in Eastern Iowa in our Birding Areas Series. They consist largely of prairie land traversed by the Maquoketa, Wapsipinicon and Cedar Rivers. These river vallies are wooded and support a good population of breeding species as well as being avenues for migrants. The prairie areas are intensively cultivated except in the sloping areas near the rivers. The breeding population of pasture inhabiting species such as Upland Sandpipers has declined in recent years but birds which subsist along field edges such as Savannah Sparrows are increasing. A breeding bird survey route runs from the Cedar Valley bridge north to the Jones Co. line and then east. This 25 mile route usually produces over 50 breeding species and no marsh habitat is in- cluded. Muskrat Slough is an excellent marsh area and was covered in the Linn County report. Cedar County Bennett Park - This small county park is located two miles east of Bennett just north of route 130 and adjacent to the county dump. It includes camping facilities, a small pond and some wooded creek bottom. North of the park are some large, privately owned woodlots which are good areas for migrants. Cedar Valley Green Belt - The largest Cedar County park, this area also contains camping facilities and some fine bottomland forest with breeding vireos and warblers. It provides access to the Cedar Valley with some good habitat for migrant and breeding woodland birds. A boat landing ramp permits closer ex- ploration of the river, especially upstream where it is more heavily wooded. It is five miles north of Springdale. Massillon Area -- A small river access point and recreation area on the Wapsipinicon River, this county park also contains camping facilities. The bot- tomland timber north of Massillon where Piliated Woodpeckers breed contains all the common woodland breeders including the elusive Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Rochester Area -- This small county area provides access to the Cedar River just below Rochester and on the west bank. It provides a vantage point for the observation of migrant swallows moving along the river in August and the sand and mud bars downstream for several miles should be checked for migrating shorebirds in the fall, Jones County Wapsipinicon State Park - Located across the Wapsipinicon from Anamosa this park contains some nice bottomland forest. It is a good area for observing the migration of land birds. If one follows the river downstream by canoe many birds 18 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 _ _!_£ast *0 1 A | bjjrg n hplt Y 1 M I T 5 ; 1 1 ij J JLangworthyt I 1 C 151) (38) 1 & *G <^1 .W o| /A E \ M p n i IfttVu'i'nM fuf Sioie c ;s^jf^ v ’ & Amber lamosaU 4^* 64 " 4 Center Jynchon 34 Canton* V Onslow > 7 Monmouth .Martelle Morle/2 SrOlm 38) Oirfoid ; bo rT _ la t 33 Meghanicsvil Areas L Wapsipinicon State Park 2. Pictured Rocks 1 3. Muskrat Slough ; 4. Central Park 5. Mon-Maq Dam ’ 6. Bennett Park 1 7. Cedar Valley f f O Green Belt ’ * 8. Massillon Area 9. Rochester Area ISfanwQod 1 4 Massillon larence * * f »aar r ^l i e j( y~> 17 Buchanan >* Lowden flenn & 38 ’West E^ranch Rc>Ct)es!e >pnngdale 25 Of ll ! Sunbury will be found during the breeding season including nesting Cliff Swallows. The canoe outing can be terminated at Olin, where some ponds along the river provide good birding. Muskrat Slough can be reached from Olin by driving south on route UNUSUAL NESTS 19 38 to the first gravel road to the west. Follow this road keeping to the left at all T intersections but maintaining a westerly direction and you will find a sign on the right side of the road for the slough in about three miles . Pictured Rocks - This fine bottomland timber is located on the south fork of the Maquoketa River, west bank, about four miles southeast of Monticello. It is little developed but has hiking trails through good habitat for migrant and breeding woodland birds. Pileated Woodpeckers and Turkey Vultures nest in the area. Central Park ~ Another county area this park is two miles west of Center Junction and is complete with camping facilities and electricity. It combines upland forest with open brushy areas cresting varied habitat for a good range of birds at all seasons. Mon-Maq Dam and Recreation Area - A small area along the south fork of the Maquoketa River just north of Monticello, this park has limited potential for birds. It should be checked for migrating water birds and swallows. Some Unusual Nest Discoveries DARWIN KOENIG DECORAH The following accounts of nesting discovereies are noteworthy due to either the rarity of the bird as a nesting species in Iowa or to the difficulty in discovering the nest. Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes On June 19, 1975 I chanced upon a Winter Wren building a nest in the Yellow River Forest . The nest was located underneath the overhang of a bank on the edge of a service road. The nest was a finely woven affair of rootlets and moss, roughly spherical in shape with the entrance in the side. It was anchored in place by being attached to rootlets that hung down from the overhanging bank. The bottom of the overhang formed the roof of the nest. No activity was noted at the nest site in subsequent visits, although a Winter Wren was seen and-or heard singing in an area about 100 yards north of the nest on a couple of these visits, A week after the discovery of the nest Fred Lesher and I checked it to see if any eggs had been deposited, but the nest was empty. Possibly it was a dummy nest built by the male : typical of the Wren tribe. Incidentally, this was not the only Winter Wren observation of the summer, 1975, in Iowa. Pearl Knopp (O.B.L. 45 ( 3) : 94) reported one on June 13 and July 11. Nor is this the first Winter Wren nesting attempt in the state as Cooke (1888. Report on Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley in the Years 1884 and 1885. U.S.D.A. Division of Economic Ornith. Bull. No. 2, p. 273) wrote that Mr. Preston “has found it as a not common breeder in central Iowa.” Tessen (Am. Birds 29(5) :977) states that “The Winter Wren seems to be extending its range southward in both Wisconsin and Minnesota, In the former, four birds were present at Wyalusing S.P,, Grant Co., (PA.) where they were first recorded last summer. In the latter state they were recorded in Goodhue, Dakota, and Houston Cos.” Both Houston Co., Minnesota and Grant Co., Wisconsin border Iowa. Collectively, these ob- servations indicate that the Winter Wren may be reclaiming some of its old breeding grounds, 20 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius On June 20, 1975 1 found a nest of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The nest cavity was located about twenty feet up in a dead elm stub, near the Effigy Mounds National Monument. I did not climb up to the nest cavity and count the young birds, but their presence was known by their loud* peculiar “buzzing” sound that they made whenever one of the parent birds came to feed them, The sapsucker is a rare, but regular breeding bird in the extensive woodlands of northeast Iowa. Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea On June 16, 1975 I found a nest of the Cerulean Warbler while birding in the Yellow River Forest, The nest was about forty feet up in a maple tree, about six feet out from the trunk on a branch overhanging a trail. At least two young were in the nest, perhaps more, I was unable to climb the tree for a closer look and the view from the ground was not good enough for an accurate determination. The young were fed by the female at intervals of from one to fifteen minutes, usually three to five minutes. I did not see or hear a male Cerulean in the vicinity of the nest, although they were in full song in other parts of the forest, Kentucky Warbler Oporomis formosus On June 13, 1975 I flushed a Kentucky Warbler from its nest containing three newly hatched young and one egg. The nest, which was in the Effigy Mounds National Monument, was built on the ground at the base of a small maple sapling. The Kentucky Warbler is fairly common in the moist maple-basswood forests in northeast Iowa. Open-water F eeding of Black-crowned Night Herons RICHARD D. CRAWFORD Department of Animal Ecology Iowa State University AMES Black-crowned Night Herons (Nyctlcorax nycticorax) are known to employ six different methodis of capturing prey: Stand and wait (Bent, 1926); slow walk (Bent, 1926); bill-vibrating at the water’s surface (Drinkwater, 1958); hovering without landing (Meyerriecks, 1960); swimming (Wetmore, 1920); and diving (Kushlan, 1973). While conducting studies during 1973-74 on Mud Lake, a 400 acre marsh in northwest Iowa, I recorded numerous observations of Black-crowned Night Herons swimming while feeding. These observations suggest that this method of food capture is used to a greater extent than recorded in the literature. A total of 43 separate occurrences of black-crowns swimming in open water was recorded. The numbers of birds involved varied from one to eight for each observation. These birds typically approached the marsh at a height of 10-40 feet above the water in an erratic, meandering type of flight. They then suddenly dropped to the water’s surface in an area free of submergent vegetation, After on the water they sat quietly, and periodically attempted to catch prey. By watching through a 2(M5X spotting scope I determined that small fish 2-4 inches in length were the most common prey. Some of these fish were bullheads (Ictaluris spj, but species identification of the rest was impossible to determine. FIELD REPORTS 21 Most of my observations began with a single heron landing on the water, but in 36 of the 43 recorded occurrences other herons joined the first. In one case a total of eight were observed. In this latter group the birds were often seen in a semi-circle formation slowly swimming forward. It is possible that this cooperative group effort increased their prey-catching efficiency, because most of these herons ended up by catching fish. All 43 of the observations occurred in the evening hours, at most one hour before dusk, and nearly all were during late July and August. Whether the subdued light and underwater conditions at this time enabled the birds to better see fish below the water’s surface is unknown. Since open-water feeding occurred about one out of every two or three evenings I was on the study area, it seems that, at least on Mud Lake, this is a common way for Black-crowned Night Herons to obtain food. Further observations on other areas would be helpful in assessing the importance of this feeding method to black- crowns. LITERATURE CITED Bent, A. C. 1926. Life histories of North American marsh birds. U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. I3s’ Drinkwater, H. 1958. Black-crowned Night Herons using bill motion to lure prey. Wilson Bull. 70:201-202. Kushlan, J. A. 1973. Black-crowned Night Heron diving for prey. Florida Field Nat. 1:27-28. Meyerriecks, A. J. 1960. Comparative breeding behavior of four species of North American Herons. Publ. No. 2, Nuttall Ornithol. Club. Wetmore, A. 1920. Observations on the habits of birds of Lake Burford, New Mexico, Auk 27:221-247; 393^12. PRESENT ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58201. October was warm with no rain for three weeks, but a half inch fell on the 31st. Novemrber was very warm, especially during the first three weeks. There was a 5- inch snowfall, but subsequent rain quickly cleared it away. The TV tower kill was unusually small. December was a warmer than usual month; mostly cloudy but with little precipitation. January was warm and dry with similar conditions in February until the blizzard hit on the 21st. The outstanding features of the fall and winter have been the invasion of Evening Grosbeaks, which has been well described, the large numbers of over- wintering Am. Robins in many areas, and the relative abundance of Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins. These notes should be read in connection with the Christmas Census reports. The species whose names are preceded by an asterisk are those on the Blue List. 22 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 Fall Season Loons, Grebes, Pelicans, Cormorants. Relatively few Common Loons were reported from late October to early November (NH,LS,PP). Horned Grebes were seen in the Iowa City area (NH,MN), at Ottumwa (GY), and one at Des Moines. The Eared Greges were 4 at Lock 15 in mid-September (PP). There were 36 American White Pelicans at Red Rock in September (GBL) with only several singles reported from a few other areas. Cormorants were seen on several different dates in the Iowa City area (NH,MN,RDC) with 100 at Red Rock early in October. Herons. Great Blue Herons at Iowa City in mid-September reached a maximum of 50 (NH) with at least 250 at Red Rock in August and October (GBl). Great Egrets totaling 8 and 5 were reported on 20 September (NH,RDC), with a peak of 20 at Red Rock. Five * Black-crowned Night Herons were observed at Red Rock in September as were 5 immature sp? Two Yellow -crowned Night Herons were seen on 2 August (WRS). Swans, Geese, Ducks. Whistling Swans, 2 adult and 4 young, were seen on Goose L., Greene Co, (Elwood Martin fide PP). There seems to have been generally good movements of Canada and Snow Geese. On 18 October 4, Greater White-fronted were seen at Mark Twain Ref. (MN). The more common species of ducks, although somewhat late, appeared in usual numbers. In Des Moines, Mallards predominated as had been the case in earlier years, Lesser Scaups being the more numerous in the past one or two winters. An American Black Duck was seen on 16 November at Forneys L. (WRS). A high of 50 Goldeneyes was unusual (NH). No Buffleheads were seen all year (HD), A pair of White-winged Scoters were at LeClaire on 30 November (Fred Lorenzen fide PP). Black Scoters also appeared with 3 at Lock 14 (one shot, spec, to Putnam Mus. fide PP), 3 reported at Bay's Branch in November (JM). Hooded Mergansers at Red Rock totaled 14 on 23 November (GBl). Vultures, Hawks, At least 90 Turkey Vultures occupied three roosts at Red Rock. Reports of * Sharp-shinned are conflicting, being thought “scarce” (MN), and “seen twice as often” (DM). Petersen netted 13 from early September to late October. One was seen on 9 October (RDC). Newlon also thought the * Cooper's scarce, and none was seen all year (NH), but DeCoster had three observations, No reports on * Red-shouldered. Broad-winged were thought fewer this fall (DM), but 25 were seen on 23 September (GBl). Observations of Rough-legged seemed to follow no pattern. Four reports of Golden Eagles seem unusual (HD,PP,MN). Bald Eagles were rather widely observed also, dates ranging from 23 August to 27 November. * Northern Harrier was thought a common migrant (WRS), but numbers down (DM) and few all fall at Red Rock. Two observations were made (RDC). Only three reports of the * Osprey. The * Am. Kestrel received con- siderable attention. The reports might be summarized as saying the species was fairly common during early migration, then becoming few. Cranes, Coots, Shorebirds. Five Sandhill Cranes were seen in November at Bay’s Branch (JM). At Coralville, the ponds dried but left attractive mudflats. These caused the waders to linger instead of migrating. At Red Rock Ref. the situation was different and few species, other than Lesser Yellowlegs were seen, A Common Gallinule was seen on 14 September (NH). Coots were exceptionally numerous with more than 1,000 in October (NH), and a flock of 700 on L. Easter near Des Moines. Killdeer were plentiful in a number of locations. Neither Lesser Golden or Black-bellied Plover were numerous; one of the former was seen on 1 October (NH) and 3 were on Goose L. in Greene Co. on 3 November (E. Martin, fide PP). The same day there were 12 Black -bellied on Goose L. One on 19 November was quite late (GDL). Four were the most seen (NH). Woodcock were FIELD REPORTS 23 seen frequently from late September through early November (PP). Snipe were probably more numerous than usual. Some late departure dates: Greater Yellowlegs, 2 November (WES) and 16 November (PP); Pectoral Sandpiper 3 November (Martin, fide PP), and 16 November (PP). Latest dates for Northern Phalarope were 31 August (MN ) and 13 September (NH) . Gulls, Terns. Ring-billed Gulls at Red Rock totaling 200 were present from September through November (GB 1 ). Four or five Franklin’s Gulls were seen on 1 November with one Bonaparte’s (NH). Five Bonaparte’s were seen earlier on 13 September (NH), and 12 were observed on 2 November (PP). A few Forster’s were at Red Rock in late September. Caspian Terns were present on numerous dates at Coralville ; 2 were seen on 21 September (PP), and there were 50 at Red Rock in September. Cuckoos, Owls. * Yellow-billed were thought common (WRS) but they , and Black-billed remained scarce in Des Moines. A late Black-billed was seen on 25 October (GDL). The Common Screech Owl will respond to tape-recorded calls but is elusive otherwise. Short -eared Owls were reported in late October (WRS) and in November (GA). From 11 October to 5 November Petersen netted 13 Saw-whets. One repeated in 10 days. Nighlhawks, Woodpeckers. Nighthawk migrations were noted at Iowa City on 29 August and 27 September (RDC,MN) with several small flocks in late August and September at Red Rock. A hybrid Common Flicker was identified on 1 November (MN), and one of the Red-shafted variety was seen on 27 September (JF). Several reports of immature Sapsuckers were received. Flycatchers, Swallows, Eastern Phoebes were fewer in Des Moines, and none were seen since the early April storm (GDL), but 5 were observed on 9 October (RDC), A Say's Phoebe at Lake Okoboji on 20 September was unusual (MB). A total of 63 Yellow-bellied Flycatchers netted between 16 August and 26 September, and 65 Least with the latest on 1 October (PP ) . Six late Tree Swallows were seen on 1 November (PP). The last build-up of Purple Martins was on 14 August with 70 seen (DM). Nuthatches, Wrens. This was not exactly a Red-breasted Nuthatch year, but scattered reports were received. Winter Wrens were seen on 2 October (RDC) and 22 October (GDL) and Petersen netted 16. Reports of Carolina Wrens increase yearly, particularly in the Iowa City area. Short-billed Marsh Wrens were plentiful (MN).' Mimics, Thrushes, Kinglets, Pipits. The usual lingering Gray Catbirds and Brown Thrashers were noted. Unusually large flocks of migrating Am. Robins were noted in October (HD). Eastern Bluebirds were generally thought fewer but three waves were noted (GA), and a flock of more than 50 were seen on 24 October near Red Oak (PM). Several small flocks, including one of 25 on 6 October, were seen at Red Rock (GB1). They were “conspicuously absent” at Iowa City (NH). There was thought a good migration of Kinglets with Golden-crowned the more numerous (PP, GDL). Both were present at Red Rock in October (GBl). A Ruby- crowned on 27 November was very late (NH). Water Pipits (5) were present for several weeks beginning in early October (NH). Waxwings, Shrikes. Cedar Waxwings were numerous in the Iowa City and Lamoni areas. A flock of 50 was present at Red Rock during September and Oc- tober. Only a few single * Loggerhead Shrikes were seen during migration - the last on 25 November (WRS). Three were seen in the Ankeny area on 9 November (DM). Vireos, Warblers. * Bell’s Vireo, which nested at Forneys Lake was still present last fall (ERS). There appeared few important warbler waves with Yellow- 24 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 rumped one of the few species seen in numbers. Seven Golden-winged and 1 Blue- winged were banded fPP). * Yellow Warblers were thought abundant breeders (WRS), but only one observation (RDC) and one netted (PP). The Cape May, with 6 sightings, was more common than usual (NH). More Black-throated Blues (7) were netted (PP). A Black -throated Green was present from 30 October to the very late date 10 November (JF). Petersen netted 2 Connecticuts and l Hooded, the latter a first fall record. Only one * American Redstart was reported (WRS) but 5 were seen on 10 September (RDC) and they were relatively abundant where 78 were netted (PP). Icterids, Tanagers, Finches. No Rusty Blackbirds were seen (MN). A mixed flock of Brewer’s Blackbirds and Crackles was seen on 13 September (NH). A Summer Tanager was singing at Waubonsie on 3 August where a female had been seen earlier (WRS). A female was banded on 2 Stepmber (PP). The sparrow migration was thought good (DM). Several Blue Grosbeaks were seen on the Missouri River flood plain (WRS). Another was seen in Cedar Rapids on 8 October (LS), A flock of about 100 Indigo Buntings was seen on 18 October (HD). The Evening Grosbeak invasion has been adequately described elsewhere. Purple Finches were relatively scare. Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins were coming in numbers to feeders supplied with African Thistle seeds, Goldfinches were thought fewer, due perhaps to the open winter. White-winged Crossbills reappeared for the fifth year (NH,MN). Towhees continued scarce; DeCaster with 8 on 3 dates gave the only good report. More were seen during migration than earlier (WRS) and one of the spotted race was seen on the rather early date 5 October. LeConte’s Sparrows were thought more numerous (DM), and 1 was seen on 5 October (WRS). Lark Sparrows were completely missed this summer (RM). Northern Juncos arrived rather later than usual and in somewhat fewer numbers. American Tree Sparrows were also thought not as numerous (GDL). Harris’ Sparrows were fewer (GDL), but abundant (BW). White-throated and Fox Sparrows also were scarce (GDL). Swamp Sparrows were seen more frequently (DM). Lapland Longspurs did not appear numerous, nor did the Snow Bunting. Winter Season Loons, Pelicans, Swans. There were 28 Common Loons on Rock Creek L. on 4 December (HD). An American White Pelican stayed in the area of the nuclear power plant near Cordova for several months (PP). One of 2 Whistling Swans on Coralville Res. from 14 to 17 December was shot (NH). Geese, Ducks. From 12-15080 Snow Geese were seen on 15 February, with one White-fronted among them (WRS). Most of the thousand wintering Canadas left Red Rock by 4 January. Many wintering geese have been seen south of Council Bluffs (EAG), with thousands of Mallards seen there on 17 December. There were 30-40000 ducks at Red Rock in December according to an aerial survey, these were primarily Mallards with a sprinkling of other species. Several hundred also overwintered below the dam there (GBL). Big Creek L. north of Des Moines had 100 Mallards overwintering (DM). Hawks. Halmi saw several * Sharp-shinned, but DeCoster reported none at Iowa City, and neither saw any * Cooper’s. Wintering Red-tailed were seen more often (DM). Only one Rough-legged was seen at Red Rock, few at Des Moines, and they appear to have left the Ankeny area (DM) . A Golden Eagle was seen near Ely on 14 and 21 December (LS). A Bald Eagle was seen north of Des Moines on 4 December (BB) and their numbers in the Davenport area were thought up (PP), The number of wintering ‘Northern Harriers is gratifying. Several pairs of •American Kestrels are wintering (DM) with two reports from Iowa City also. FIELD REPORTS 25 Gulls, Doves. Ring-billed Gulls left Coralville on 14 December (NH) and only a very few Herring and Ring-billed remained at Red Rock (GB1). Sizeable flocks of Mourning Doves have been seen (NH) and 200 overwintered at Red Rock. Owls. A Barn Owl was seen early in December near Onawa (EAG). A Long- eared appeared in mid-February (GA), with about 10 near Swan L ( JF), and 4 and 3 respectively in two locations at Red Rock. A Short-eared was seen on 13 February (BW), 7 on 14 January (NH), and 3 are in a pine grove on the shore of Red Rock. Several Saw-whets are wintering near Stone City (LS), with others seen and photographed near Iowa City (NH). Woodpeckers, Horned Lark. Red-headed were thought to be wintering in larger numbers than usual in Red Rock (GB1) and Hamburg (EAG). Several reports of Sapsuckers have been received, one telling of 2 being banded at Pleasantville (GB1). Horned Larks were thought down by all reporters. Nuthatches, Wrens. Few Red-breasted Nuthatches have been seen all winter (NH). Winter Wrens, seen during the fall, appear to have left with only 1 reported on 1 January (DM). Carolina Wrens are still present, and should be aided by the open winter now being expereinced. Mimics, Thrushes, Waxwings, Shrikes. A Northern Mockingbird was seen on 31 January ( WRS), with another coming to a feeder in Davenport (PP). A Brown Thrasher is wintering (PP). A Hermit Thrush was seen through 5 January (PP). Halmi saw 2 Bluebirds on 2 December. The rare Townsend’s Solitaire was seen on Christmas Day (RH). Cedar Waxwings are numerous (NH), and the two reports of a Bohemian, by Rob Vane and DeCoster, may refer to the same individual. * Shrike sp. are reported from Stone City (LS) and Pleasantville (GB1). Icterios Finches. A small flock of Rusty Blackbirds remained through most of February (HP). The Evening Grosbeaks, so numerous earlier, appear to have left early. Few Purple Finches are being reported this winter. The rare Pine Grosbeak is reported from Shelton Cemetery, 8-12 having been seen (M. Pottorff, fide GB1). Common Redpolls, while perhaps not as numerous along roadsides as a few years ago, are coming in numbers to thistle-seed feeders. Flocks of Pine Siskins are likewise coming to the same feeders. Last winter the thistle seeds attracted great numbers of American Goldfinches, but these are fewer in most places this winter. Whether the competition from Redpolls and Siskins is responsible, or the open winter is the cause has not been determined. One exception is the feeders main- tained by Helen Peasley where more than 200 Goldfinches were present on 15 January compared t the usual 50. Both Crossbills were present through l January with none since (PP), but 2 White-winged were seen at Cedar Rapids on 11 February (LS). The spotted race of the Towhee has been reported in several areas. Longspurs and Snow Buntings are fewer according to reports; the usual explanation being the lack of snow cover which causes these species to pick grit on the roadside shoulders. Observers: Gene Armstrong, Booneville; Gladys Black, Red Rock and Pleasantville; Beth Brooks, Des Moines; Margaret Brooke, Des Moines; R. G. Crim, Chariton; R. DeCoster, Iowa City; Genevieve DeLong, Lamoni; Herb Dorow, Newton; Jas. Fuller, Iowa City; Mrs. E, A, Getscher, Hamburg; Dr. Nick Halmi, Iowa City, Russell Hays, Waterloo; Pearl Knoop, Marble Rock; Richard Mooney and Pauline Mooney, Des Moines; Dean Mosman, Ankeny; Jack Musgrove, Des Moines; M. C. Newlon, Iowa City; Pearle Osher, Estherville; Helen Peasley, Des Moines, Peter Petersen, Dvenport; Ruth Phipps, Shenan- doah; Lillian Serbousek, Cedar Rapids; W. RossSilcock, Tabor-Malvern; Loraine Wallace, Spirit Lake; Betty Walters, Essex; Gary Wymore, Ottumwa. Woodward H. Brown, 432 Tona wanda Dr., Des Moines, 50312. 26 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 Shorebirds in the Iowa City Area, 1973-75 - The table includes personal sight- ings of shorebirds (in many instances corroborated by other people accompanying or following me, notably F. W. and T. Kent, T. Shires, J. Taylor and M. Newlon), mostly in the area of the Coralville Reservoir, The only species listed that was seen only away from the Reservoir was American Woodcock in 1975 (south of North Liberty). Some of the early dates in 1975 reflect sightings in a small slough in southern Iowa City visited in July and early August, The maximal count of Stilt Sandpipers for 1975 was observed during one of 2 trips to Cone Marsh in Louisa County, as was one of the 5N, Phalaropes. NICHOLAS S, HALMI, Iowa City. Shorebirds in Iowa City Area Fall 1973, 1974, 1975 1973 (up 10 9-81 Dates {week of, last dayi No, * 1974 Dales No, 1975 Dates No. Semipaimaied Plover 8-4 - 9-8 50 1 M ) 7-2? - 9-14 15 (M i 7-30 - 10-3 9 Piping Plover - - 8-16 - 9-8 3(T) - - Killdeer 7-28 - 9-8 44 7-21 - 10-26 4 4 7-8 - 11-1 44 Lesser Golden Plover 8-4 1 8-10 - 10-5 12tM) 8-15 - 10-18 2 8-16 2 8-2 - 8-9 47iM) Greater Yellowlegs 7-28 ■ 9-8 + 8-10 - 11-2 4 8-2 - 11-1 7(M) Lesser Yellowlegs 7-28 - 9-8 44 7-21 - 10-6 44 7-8 - 10-23 esl' 150(M) Pectoral Sandpiper 7-28 - 9-8 44 7-21 - 10-17 44 "j4 SC o Is* CO 44 + Sharp-tailed Sandpiper „ - 10-3 1 - - Baird‘s Sandpiper *- - 8-10 - 9-5 5(M ) 8-27 - 9-9 3(M) Least Sandpiper 7-28 - 9-8 4- 7-21 - 10-6 13 (M) 7-8 - 10-26 204 (M) Dunlin 7-28 5 IT) 10-2 - 11-2 50 7-27 - 11 1 124 ( M ) Long-billed Dowitcher i 8-4 - 9-8 10-3 - 10-6 9(M) 7-8 - 10-11 KM) Short-billed Dowlicher) P L2(M) 8-16 8 7-11 - 9-5 10( M ) Stilt Sandpiper 7-28- 9-9 12(M) 8-16 9 7-11 - 8-31 3Q{ M ) Semipaimaied Sandpiper 7-29 - 9-8 4 + 7-21 - 10-12 44 7-14 - 9-27 44 Western Sandpiper 8-1 1 - 8-18 3 (T ) 9-8 2 8-30 - 9-9 7 ( M ) Buff-breasted Sandpiper - - 8-10 - 8-18 27 (Ml 8-2 4 Mabled Godwit - - - - 8-2 1 Sanderling 8-4 - 9-8 250 GENERAL NOTES 27 Swainson’s Hawk at Red Rock at Christmas Time - We arrived at the Christmas count meeting place below the dam at 6:00 a.m. The others were there ahead of us and were watching this hawk. We joined in. We must have observed it for a least 15 minutes, perhaps more. It was riding the air currents directly above the dam on the downstream side and at times seemed to be suspended as on an invisible wire or string, with wings outstretched and slightly elevated similar to a Northern Harrier, It remained absolutely motionless for perhaps as much as a couple of minutes, neither gaining or losing altitude, nor moving forward or back- ward. It was amazing! From our observation point, looking up at it, it was only a few feet above the top of the dam, and facing north into a fairly stiff breeze. So we actually observed it mostly from about a four o'clock angle, if you can visualize looking down from above, with the head at the 12 o’clock position. In other words mostly from the hawks right side and slightly to the rear most of the time, since it was to our right as we faced the dam . Of course it moved over a sizeable area of the north (of the spillway) area of the dam, now and then dropping down into the weeds and rising again. A very interesting sequence was once when it caught a mouse or some other small prey, then flew back up to its favored gliding height as described above. After stabilizing its position with the air currents, it proceeded to eat its prey lowering it head down to the prey held in its feet tearing off a morsel, raising its head to eat, lowering its head again, raising its head to eat, etc., until finished. All the while no wing movements, no changing of course, or altitude or whatever. We all remarked, it was like a kite staying absolutely in one spot, unbelievably motionless and so forth. Of course we were able to get various views of it as it worked the area over. It was early, there was no sunlight, but good clear air. We had a variety of binoculars and telescopes. I used both my old 12 power binoculars and 20 power telescope. Charles and Darlene Ayres had their scope and binoculars. Others were in the group, with considerable experience. The Ayres probably have seen more Swainson's (in Kansas) than any of the rest of us. Our own experience with Swainson’s is very limited. We all observed the dark, rather ruddy, band across the upper breast and curving back somewhat along the sides, the clear unstreaked light belly, the white throat area, and the light and darker contrasting of the underside of the wings. There was no hovering to maintain position as we have so often seen in other hawks, noticeable the Rough-legged or the American Kestrel. We didn't hear any example of its call as far as I can remember. The tail was definitely lightly barred (not heavy as in the Red-shouldered or the Broad- winged), not plain as in the Red-tailed. No white rump patch was present. We could not distinguished beak or feet and legs coloration in that light. After considering all the possibilities known to us, and one by one eliminating the more familiar hawks, we all seemed to agree that nothing but Swainson’s fits this bird. KEITH AND IRENE LAYTON, Box 124, Oskaloosa. Northern Three-toed Woodpecker in Iowa -- Date: May 28-31, 1975. Place: Woods in Century Oaks, Bettendorf, Iowa. I saw the bird the first time early in the morning about 7:00 or 8:00 a.m, I wasn't really looking for birds at the time but I noticed the bird didn’ t look like the other woodpeckers around. As I looked at it I got very close to it. It was feeding on a dead oak tree. As it climbed up the tree it scraped the bark off the tree and started feeding. Since I never saw the bird before I went home and got my camera. When I came back it was gone. I saw it the next day at the same tree, but it was lying on its back and flinching and fluttering around. I took her home and she died two days later. MARK FREDERICKSEN, 31 Briarwood Chase, Bet- 28 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 tendorf, Iowa. Editors note - Mark is a student of my wife’s at Black Hawk Junior High and joined us on the 1975 Davenport Christmas Count. He mentioned finding this bird during the course of the bird count and upon returning home secured it from the freezer. It is now in the collecton of the Putnam Museum and will be mounted. Comment on 1975 One Day Bald Eagle Count Note to Elton Fawks - I have just recently received your letter giving information about the Bald Eagle Project. Thank you for it. We shall plan on participating in the February 14th event. Mr, George Brown, who has been a regular participant in the annual count for many years and who has often been the one to compile the information and send it to you, and I were very much surprised at the information you had under COM- MENT on the sheet that gave the summary of observations obtained last February. I refer to “Weather prevented a count in Nebraska with only one eagle on the count date". I do not know who sent you that “one eagle" record, but it is obvious that you did not receive the report that Mr, George Brown sent you. For your information, and for the information of the people to whom you send the records, I wish to give the following report: Feb. 8, 1975, 7:45 a. m, to 3:30 p.m, Temp, 8 to 13 degrees. Overcast to partly sunny. Snow showers at the first part of the count (for about 2 hours), and again as we were returning home, Wind N.E., 10-15 mph or more. Very raw. Two parties sponsored by Big Bend Audubon Chapter, Kearney, Nebraska. I lead one group, composed primarily of members of my class in ornithology. We had 11 people in 3 cars. We surveyed Harlan County Lake and nearby areas. Results: Adult Bald Eagles 61 Immatures 11 Unaged 2 Total 74 Mr. George Brown lead the other group, There were 9 people in 3 cars in his group. They followed the county roads south of the Platte River, between Kearney and Lexington, including Johnson Lake and all the bridge areas in between. Results: Adult Bald Eagles 30 Immatures 4 Total 34 DR. JOHN C. W. BLIESE, 107 E. 27th St., Kearney, Nebraska. Obituary E. J. PETRANEK Emil Joseph Petranek, 86, of 508 Vernon Drive 52403 SE, retired general manager of the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, died Friday following a long illness, A lifelong Cedar Rapids resident, he was born June 22, 1889, and was married to the former Alice Sirowy Sept. 1, 1914, in Cedar Rapids, He was a graduate of the Cedar Rapids Business college , Mr. Petranek was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church; past master of Crescent lodge, AF & AM; past high priest of Trowel chapter; past illustrious master of Palestine council ; past commander of Apollo commandery ; past patron of Malta chapter, OES, and past potentate of El Kahir Shrine. BOOK REVIEWS 29 He was a member of Elks lodge 251, High Twelve luncheon club, Executives club, Iowa Ornithologist’ Union, South Side Civic club, Sokol society and Cedar Rapids Audubon Naturalist Society. He was a former member of the board of directors of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Linn County Conservation Board, for which he received a meritorious service award. Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, Emil Joseph Petranek, jr,, Arlington Heights, 111., and Robert Petranek, Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. (From the Cedar Rapids Gazette 11-28-75.) IN MEMORIAM : Dr. Harold R. Peasley The I. O. l!. lost a valued member when Dr, Harold R. Peasley, a member since 1943, passed away on 27 December, 1975 at the age of 82 after a long illness. Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery in Indianola. A graduate of Simpson College and the University of Iowa Medical School, he practiced in Des Moines for many years during which time he had been Chief of Staff at Mercy Hospital, and on the staffs of Iowa Lutheran and Iowa Methodist Hospitals. Upon his retirement from private practice in 1959 he joined the staff of Veterans’ Hospital. He retired from Veterans Hospital Feb. 15, 1972. He was a member of Polk Co, Medical Society and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society. His other affiliations included Westminister Presbyterian Church, the Masonic Lodge, Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, Des Moines Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Canadian Nature Society, National Audubon Society, and the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association. A very knowledgeable birder, Dr, Peasley and his wife Helen had watched birds over much of the United States and Canada. The photography of birds and wild flowers was even of more interest than bird identification, and he had a great many exceptional films which he showed, with Helen’s narration, on a number of occasions at Des Moines Audubon Society meetings. The Peasleys were regular attendants at I. 0. U. meetings until ill health pre- vented their traveling. Woodward H. Brown. Book Reviews Birds of New York State - John Bull - Doubleday-Natural History Press, Garden City, New York - 659 p., 9 color plates, one black-and-white plate, 167 maps and 86 black-and-white photographs -- 1974 - $29.95. New York joins the growing list of states with updated bird books. Bull begins with an introduction including ornithological history, the environments, excellent 30 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 birding areas, conservation, escapes, avifauna) and breeding limit analysis, taxonomic treatment, geographically restricted breeding species, terms and observatons. The species accounts make up the bulk of the text and detail range, status, breeding and non-breeding data, and remarks. Some ranges are mapped as are some banding recoveries, but the space used seems excessive. Data from breeding bird surveys would have been more valuable. The final sections of the book include a gazetteer, bibliography and index. This book is of value primarily for birders in New York and neighboring states, ed. Birds of the New York Area - John Bull - Dover Publications, Inc., New York — 540 p,, 17 line drawings, 21 maps - 1975 - paperbound -$6.00. It is interesting that Bull’s 1964 book on the birds of the New York City area has been reprinted just after the appearance of his book on the entire state. It provides a vast amount of information for each species on range, status, exact sighting locations, specific dates of observation and breeding sites. General information includes birding areas, recent changes in bird life, questions of subspecies and a background of historic reference. The major drawback is that it is over ten years out of date and for some species like the Monk Parakeet this Is critical, ed. The Sequence of Plum mages and Moults of the Passerine Birds of New York - Johnathan Dwight, Jr. -- New York Academy of Sciences, New York City - 367 p., 16 black-and-white photographs -- 1975 - paperbound, $8.00 This is a photographic reprint of Dwight’s classic 1900 work. He describes in detail the various plumages as they were known then. As Kenneth Parkes points out in the introduction, which was added to the original text, much has been learned since Dwight’s time and anyone using this book should keep this fact in mind. One basic change is in numbering primaries in the opposite direction today. Other general changes since 1900 are covered in the introduction. Banders in particular may want this work on their reference shelves, ed. Another Penguin Summer - Olin Sewall Pettingill, Jr. - Charles Scribuer’s Sons, New York - 80 p., 35 color and 70 black-and-white photographs - 1975 - $ 10 . 00 . The Pettingills revisted the Falkland Islands in 1971-72 and this book is the result of that visit. It is primarily a pictorial book depicting the penguins and other breeding birds of the Falklands. The earlier visit was described by Mrs. Pettingill in the book Penguin Summer, (I.B.L. Vol. 31, p, 71). This book describes the habits and daily lives of the five species of breeding penguins of the Falklands. It is written for the general reader, not the specialist and the photographs are the heart of the book. ed. To Save a Bird in Peril - David R. Zimmerman - Coward, McCann and Geoghegan, Inc., New York City - 286 p., 11 maps and line drawings -- 1975 - $9.75, You have probably already read a chapter of this book. Several have appeared in national conservation and natural history magazines recently. Zimmerman tells ten examples of what happened and what has been done to try to stave off the extinction of endangered birds. He has carefully researched the facts and documents his writing with detailed footnotes. He tells of the problems of the Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, Cahow, Whopping Crane, Nene Goose, vultures, California Condor, Kirtland’s Warbler, Lesser Spotted Eagle, and the Saddleback of New Zealand. An epilogue updates the material with the latest developments. The style is smooth and the message is clearly the urgency of the need to act now to protect these birds, ed. BOOK REVIEWS 31 Birds of North America, A Personal Selection -- Eliot Porter — A. and W, Visual Library, New York -- 140 p., 64 color photographs, 26 black-and-white photographs - 1975 -- paperbound $6.95. In 1972 this book was published in an oversized hardbound edition at about triple the price of this paperbound edition of more standard dimensions. Some photographs have been cropped slightly but the birds are the same size and the sharpness is close to the original edition or equal, Porter has been one of the top bird photographers in the country for many years and this book is a good sample of his work. The text consists of a narrative of the author’s experiences taking the photographs plus a sprinkle of background information on his subjects. This edition has put the book within the reach of almost everyone, ed. The Life and Lore of the Bird -- Edward A. Armstrong - Crown Publishers, Inc., New York - 272 p,, 31 color and 225 black-and-white illustrations - 1975 -- $15.95. In a single well illustrated volume Armstrong summarizes the long and often close relationship between birds and men. Birds seem to have held a fascination for man since the time of stone age. The author covers birds in prophecy, magic, fables, myths, sports, decoration, art, literature, economics, communications and as pets. He also delves into the evolution of birds and their flight, song and dance, all of which have influenced man. Endangered species are discussed and an ap- pendix presents a selection of great writings about birds. Although the text is overshadowed by the illustrations it is competently done and appears to be very well researched, ed. Portraits of Mexican Birds - George M. Sutton -- University of Oklahoma Press, Norman -- 106 p., 50 color plates -- 1975 - $35.00, Fifty excellent reproductions of Sutton watercolors in a folio-sized book which is a great combination for any lover of fine bird art. The result of various trips to Mexico over thirty-five year period, this book presents Sutton at top form. The text is merely a bit of pertinent information about the bird and the circumstances of Sutton’s observations of it. The book seems expensive, but when one considers the cost of bird prints today it becomes more reasonable, ed, Projects With Birds - Peter Goodfellow - David and Charles, North Pomfret, Vt. -- 136 p., 12 black-and-white photographs, 63 line drawings - 1973 - $5.95. This book and the next two are British but all have some appeal for American birders. Goodfellow suggests eighty projects which cover a wide range of activities and seek to add to the general knowledge of birds. It is in some respects like the recently reviewed book by Hickey (LB.L, Vo). 45, p, 101). Some of the areas the projects touch relate to nests, songs, food, feeding habits, photographs, behavior and the number of birds. Some U.S. coverage is included for some of the projects. Any birder will get some good ideas from this book. ed. The Second Bird-Watcher’s Book - John Gooders, Editor - David and Charles, North Pomfret, Vt. - 160 p., 25 black-and-white photographs - 1975 - $8.95. We recently reviewed The Bird-Watchers Book, first of this series (I.B.L. Vol. 45, p. 63). As one would expect this book is a continuation, a series of chapters on various subjects by a variety of authors. Included are: the next five years in bird protection, the trade in wild birds, only the rare and difficult to photograph, bird- ing in Africa and India, the Whitethroat story, wings over the Sahara, equatorial seabird routines, Gannets and boobies, the new bird ringer (bander), hawks and man and the zone between the tides. As was the case with the first book of the series the writing is clear and readable and the authors are very authoritative, ed. 32 fOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVl, 1976 The Titmice of the British Isles -- John A. G. Barnes - David and Charles, North Pomfret, Vt. *- 212 p., 12 black-and-white plates, 4 line drawings, one graph - 1975 - $14.95. Barnes has produced a fine life history survey of this interesting family, the British equivalant of our chickadees and titmice. He traces the breeding and nonbreeding cycles and behaviors, describes the population fluxuations and the relationships with humans. The seven regularily occurring British forms are all covered. The bibliography is presented chapter by chapter and is very extensive. This is the type of book which should be written for many bird families of the U. S. ed. The Great Book of Birds -- John Gooders - The Dial Press, New York - 352 p. 404 color illustrations, chiefly photographs -- 1975 -- $24.95. Another lavish volume dealing with the birds of the world this treatment is made from the basis of the families. Since the photographs occupy most of the space it is comparable to Campbell's The Dictionary of Birds in Color (I.B.L. Vol. 44 p. 110). Gooders includes less than half as many photographs as Campbell but has for the most part reproduced them in a larger size. Several photographs ap- pear in both books which seems an unnecessary duplication. Gooders presents a more general text than Campbell but does concern himself less with basic data and more with the birds themselves, living, eating, fighting, etc. The length of the family accounts vary as greatly as the size of the families but all give a general range, description, habitat preference, and brief life history description. Some families are illustrated by paintings instead of photographs. A general in- troduction nicely summarizes the varibility of living birds. It is suggested that the book be examined before purchase, ed. Ornithology, From Aristotle to the Present -- Erwin Stresemann - Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass. - 444 p., one black-and-white photograph - 1975 - $20.00. The title of this book could be a bit misleading since it is an English translation of a 1951 German publication. Since it was written by a German it does not give great attention to American ornithology. To fill this gap, Ernst Mayr has added an epilogue titled “Materials for a History of American Ornithology 1 The book deals with the subject in chronological order as would be expected and the following men have entire chapters devoted to them : Francios Levaillant, Carl Illiger, Coenraad Temminck, Charles Bonaparte, Hermann Schlegel, Otto Finsch, Ernst Hartert and the Johann Nauman period. Many chapters deal with the effect of various theories of zoology on ornithology. The more recent history was less the influence of any one person and is so treated. This is a good history of the development of the science of ornithology as well as a history of ideas and their effect on science, ed. Gulls, A Social History -- Frank Graham Jr. and Christopher Ayres - Random House, New York - 186 p., 51 black-and-white photographs -- 1975 -■ $8.95. Gulls are one group of birds which proved so adaptable that most species have multiplied. This book tells of the varying relationship between gulls and man in the U.S. These birds survived the ravages of the plume-hunter’s trade, took advantage of man’s fish processing remnants and garbage dumps, consumed grasshoppers saving a wheat crop and created problems at airports built in their environment. Graham traces the past problems of the gulls skillfully with frequent quotes from writings of the period. Ayres’ photographs compliment the text nicely, ed. The Flight of the Snow Geese - Des and Jen Bartlett - Stein and Day, Briarcliff Manor, N. Y. -- 189 p., 41 black-and-white photographs, two maps « 1975 - - $4.95. BOOK REVIEWS 33 You probably saw the story told in this book on T V. The authors followed the migration of a flock of Snow Geese from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. The birds had been abandoned by their parents who left on the fall migration without them. The Bartletts drove slowly south and the young birds flew along with them. It makes for an interesting series of observations on the birds development and some fine photographs. If you liked the T V. program you will also enjoy the detail of the book, ed, The Flight of Birds - Crawford H. Greenewalt - The American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia - 67 p., 33 tables. 44 figures - 1975 - paperbound - $7.00. This very technical mathmetically oriented book deals with dimensional relationships between weight, wing area and wing span that are out of the usual proportion. The greatest deviation from the norm lies in the weight to wing area relationship. Among the birds studied the albatross shows evolution as a highly efficient glider and the hummingbirds have adapted for their hovering flight. It is a book intended for the scientist or engineer and not the serious birder or con- servationist. ed. An Introduction to Ornithology - George J. Wallace and Harold D. Mahan - Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc., New York - 546 p., many black-and-white photographs and line drawings - 1975 - $14.95. Wallace and Mahan have revised for the second time this standard in- troductory college text (l.B.L. Vol. 24 p. 42-43). The latest revision is extensive and included references through 1972. The usual sections on origins, anatomy, physiology, behavior, annual cycle, migration, distribution, ecology, conservation and relationship to our lives comprise the coverage. The book is aimed at the college undergraduate and provides a good text for an ornighology class. Ap- pendices treat ornithological organizations and their journals, ornithological collections and endangered species lists. As a comprehensive introductory test this book rates about even with the latest edition of PettingilTs Ornithology in Laboratory and Field (l.B.L. Vol. 41, p. 30) but has the advantage of being more recent. It would be a good volume for public libraries to consider, ed. Waterfowl of North America - Paul Johnsgard - Indiana University Press, Bloomington - 640 p., 64 line drawings, 32 color and 96 black-and-white photographs , 46 range maps and 5 tables - 1975 -- $25.00. There are many books on North American waterfowl, but this one tops them all. Considering the price of other new books it must also be considered a bargain. It deals with 55 species and truly covers North America, all areas from Panama north. For each species the distribution, weights, measurements, identification marks, sex and age criteria, preferred habitat, food, ecology, migratory movements, sociality, age at maturity, nest location, clutch size, incubation, fledging period, pairing and flocking behavior, and copulatory, nesting, brooding and postbreeding behavior are given. The introductory section deals with generalized migration and distribution patterns, hunting and recreational values and waterfowl biology in general. The birds are illustrated by line drawings, color and black-and-white photographs. Range maps are included for all breeding species, ed. American Wildlife Painting - Martina R. Norelli -- Watson-Guptii Publications, New York - 224 p,, 64 color plates, 100 black-and-white illustrations -- 1975 - $25.00, Another well illustrated book this one deals with seven wildlife painters whose work spans most of the last four hundred years. Beginning with a brief mention of John White, who accompanied John Smith to Virginia in 1585 (see LB,L. Vol. 42 p. 34 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 55), the author covers in detail the work of Cates by, Wilson, Audubon, Heade, Thayer and Fuertes. Probably the least known to birders is Martin J. Heade, well known as a landscape painter whose Brazilian hummingbirds set in lush backgrounds are very striking. Abbott H. Thayer is perhaps little known also, but his semi-abstract work and the more realistic efforts of his son Gerald exemplified his theory of natural camouflage. One error was noted, the captions of Fuertes Burrowing and Short-eared Owls were reversed. With the increasing interest in wildlife art this book provides a good background in wildlife art for the art fancier, ed. Australian Bush Birds in Color - Irene and Michael Morcombe - Imported by Charles E. Tuttle, Inc., Rutland, Vt. - 197 p., 50 color plates, 25 line drawings - 1974 - $9.25, A fine collectign of excellent and well reproduced color photographs comprise the “heart” of this little book. They illustrate many of the birds most represen- tative of the Australian “bush”, the forest and scrubland habitats so typical of the continent. The text gives a brief life history of the species illustrated, often enhanced by a line drawing. Related species are mentioned and the result is a good introduction to part of the Australian avifauna, ed. Birds in New Zealand - C. J. R. Robertson, ed, - Imported by Charles E. Tuttle Co,, Inc., Rutland, Vt. - 135 p, 8 color and 60 black-and-white photographs -- 1974 - $5.50. This nicely done book is intended as an introduction to New Zealand birds for the tourist. It does this in a practical manner, especially being produced in a small size easily transported. The chapters deal with some of the general habitat groups of birds, the habitats available for them, their conservation and relationship to man, A brief list of books for further reading is included. The visitor who wants a bit more of a general background on the country than a field guide provides will find this book appealing, ed. North American Game Birds of Upland and Shoreline -- Paul A. Johnsgard - University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln - 213 p., 31 color and 57 black-and-white photographs, 87 line drawings, 27 range maps -- 1975 - $6.95 paperbound, $11.95 hardbound. Johnsgard continues his prolific writing with a collection of information on non-waterfowl game birds. The book covers 33 species with description, sex and age determination, distribution, habitat, food behavior and general biology. Also included are keys to identification, references, and the hunting and recreational value of the birds. This book would seem to be aimed at the upland game hunter who wants to know more of his quarry and it fills that bill nicely. It has less value for the birder, ed. How Birds Fly-- John K. Terres -- Hawthorn Books, Inc., New York -- 191 p., 15 line drawings - 1975 - paperbound, $3.95. If you interest in bird flight does not include higher mathematics this book will be more to your liking than Greenewalts. Originally published nine years ago as Flashing Wings, the book covers the various types of flight and mentions the dangers, speeds and heights of flight. Appendices cover technicalities of flight and tables of wingspans, weights, body lengths and wingbeats per second. It all combines to make a good introduction to bird flight for the birder , ed, Utah Birds: Guide, Check-list and Occurrence Charts -- William H. Behle and Michael L, Perry -- Utah Museum of Natural History, Salt Lake City - 144 p., one black-and-white photograph, 5 maps -- 1975 - $4.00 paperbound. BOOK REVIEWS 35 Utah is another state which has not had an up to date bird book, but it now joins the list of states that are adequately covered. This book provides four areas of coverage. First is an annotated check-list giving status and range of dates for which the species have been recorded. Next is a seasonal occurrence chart which estimates the chance of observing and indicates the expected seasons. Third is an ecological occurrence chart for the breeding land birds covering eighteen habitats . Last is a guide for bird finding covering the entry points into the state and the Salt Lake City Area which covers seventeen locations. Concluding the book is a list of literature cited and a field check-list of the birds. If you plan to visit Utah this book will be a great aid. ed. Wildlife Paradises, A Worldwide Guide — John Gooders, — Praeger Publishers, New York - 192 p., many color and black-and-white photographs, 59 maps - 1975 - $19 95. There are many areas in the world which are truly wildlife paradises. Gooders introduces the reader to fifty-eight of them in text, photographs and maps. Judging by the seven this reviewer has visited they are accurate accounts. The accounts are brief and general, including special advice for visiting and a list of species of particular interest. The book is not a field type guide in the sense of many of the guides one is accustomed to using. If you enjoy beautiful books and are interested in the remaining wild places on this earth you will enjoy this book. ed. American Bird Engravings -- Alexander Wilson - Dover Publicatons, Inc., New York - 103 plates, 8 in color - 1975 - 5.00, paperbound. This is a reprint based on the plates of the 1871 edition of American Or- nithology. It includes all 76 plates from Wilson’s original work plus 27 prepared by Bonaparte for the supplement. The index supplies the current name as many have been changed. In addition to the plates the book contains an appreciation written by Dean Amadon and a brief bibliographical sketch. Over 250 species are depicted, ed. Top Birding Spots Near Chicago - Jeffrey Sanders and Lynne Yaskot - Top Birding Spots, 1093 Elm St., Evanston, 111. -- 46 p., 14 maps - 1975 -- paperbound - $2.25. This birding guide is well organized and provides a large amount of in- formation for its size. Stressed are the twelve “areas” of the greatest interest for birders. Each is mapped and seasonal features are presented. Eighteen other areas are mentioned briefly. A checklist of Chicago area birds is included providing status during six seasonal periods and special spots for finding the species. The last section is a compilation of the Chicago North Shore Christmas Bird Counts for the period 1965-1974. If you are planning a birding trip to Chicago this book will certainly make your trip easier and probably more productive, ed. Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America ~ Frank C. Bellrose -- Staekpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa. -544 p., 36 color plates, many line drawings, maps, charts and tables - 1976 -- $12.95. The “standard” waterfowl reference book (I.B.L. Vol. 13 p. 54-55) has un- dergone a complete text rewrite by Bellrose but the color plates by T. M. Shortt are poorly reproduced from earlier editions. The species accounts provide vital statistics (not metric unfortunately), field and in hand identification, population status, distribution, migration behavior, breeding, postbreeding, season movements and food habits. Detailed movement patterns are mapped and migratory movement is graphed for the various sectons of the country. In- troductory chapters cover classification, molts and plumages (written by Milton Weller), migration, conservation, the role of hunting regulation, mortality and 36 IOWA BIRD LIFE - XLVI, 1976 disease, and identification. Appendices tabulate scientific names and geographic locations and federal and state waterfowl areas. An extensive reference list is included. If you are interested in waterfowl this is a must for you. Those possessing earlier editions written by Kortright will find the new text worth the price of the revised book, ed. Fundamentals of Ornithology, Second Edition -- Joselyn Van Tyne and Andrew J. Berger ~ John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York - 808 p., many black-and-white photographs, line drawings by Sutton, maps and charts - 1976 - $22.50. One of the basic college graduate -lev el textbooks dealing with ornithology has undergone wide revision. It features over 500 illustrations and deals with all the major aspects of bird study. Topics covered are the origin of birds, anatomical structure and function, behavior patterns, voice and other sound production, world-wide distribution of bird families, migration, flight and flightlessness, food and feeding habits, courtship, nest building, egg laying and care of young, in- troduction to taxonomy and nomenclature, and discussions of each bird family in the w'orld. This book represents one of the best single volume references to or- nithology available, ed. Breeding Birds of North Dakota -- Robert E. Stewart - Tri-College Center for Environmental Studies, Fargo - 295 p., 34 color plates, 65 black-and-white photographs, 165 maps -- 1975 - $18.50. North Dakota joins the list of states boasting of a very creditable book on their birds with Stewarts fine work on its breeding birds. The author has worked in North Dakota for fifteen years and has compiled a great store of information on the bird life. The introductory secton describes the environmental attributes of the state and relationships of the breeding birds. The species accounts detail the breeding range with fine maps and discuss breeding habitat and specific nesting dates, appendices list common and scientific names of plants mentioned and publications covering breeding birds of North Dakota. The paintings of Roger Peterson and Walter Weber are well reproduced and enhance the book. The author states that the latest A.O.U. common names are used but this is not the case. ed. Bird Life - The Australian Naturalists Library - Ian Rowley -- Taplinger Publishing Co., New York -- 284 p., 31 color photographs, 37 black-and-white photographs, many maps, charts and line drawings - 1975 -- $14.95. Many books have provided readable accounts of behavioral studies of American and European birds. Now this has been done for Australian birds. The author gives a basic background on the Australian environment, behavior and breeding patterns of Australian birds generally. Many interesting behavior pat- terns are detailed, from the generally known “mound builders” and “area birds” to little known habits of the Kookaburra and Galah. Migration is also thoroughly discussed and a sound, current list of references is included. For good, interesting and informative accounts of Australian birds this is certainly the best book available, ed. Cover The Mallards leaping from our 1976 cover are the work of John Bald of Davenport. John is currently working part time at the Putnam Museum in Davenport and is free-lancing in commercial art. He ultimately plans to con- centrate on wildlife illustration. John works primarily in acrylic water color and is deeply concerned over the habitat destruction which threatens the future of our wildlife, ed.