OBSERVED IN WESTERN IOWA. 493 



Of the one hundred and eight or ten species observed, at least one hundred may be set 

 down as undoubtedly breeding in the State, the others being observed only after the autum- 

 nal migration had set in. This number indicates that the avi-fauna is as varied, though less 

 numerous in point of individuals, as at most other points to the eastward away from the sea- 

 coast, since the whole number of species that breed regularly in Massachusetts does not ex- 

 ceed one hundred and thirty, including several properly marine species, while fully one fifth, 

 or twenty per cent, are too fewly represented to be considered characteristic. This is also 

 about the number given by Dr. Coues and D. W. Prentiss for the District of Columbia. 1 



TuRDID^E. 2 



1. Turdus migratorius Linn. Eobin. Nowhere very common. Seen chiefly along the skirts 

 of the timber, in which it is forced to breed, the prairies being, of course, naturally treeless, 

 and the country too recently settled to possess orchards. West of Boonesboro, during a 

 period of over two months, I saw not more than fifty individuals altogether. Said to be 

 pretty common in spring. 



2. Turdus musteliaus Gmel. Wood Thrush. Found very abundant along the Des Moines 

 River, near Boonesboro, in the first half of July, where the heavy timber and deeply shaded 

 ravines form just its favorite haunts. 



3. Turdus fuscescens Steph. Wilson's Thrush. With the preceding ; equally common and 



almost as retiring. 



4. Seiurus aurocapiUus Sw. Golden-crowned Thrush. With Nos. 2 and 3 at Boonesboro. 

 Rather common, but, unlike its usual habit, as shy and difficult to procure as either of its 

 above-mentioned associates. 



5. Seiurus novdoracemis Nutt. Water Thrush. Several pairs seen at the Boonesboro local- 

 ity, and several specimens taken. Like each of the preceding, it undoubtedly breeds there. 



6. Galeoscoptes carolinensis Cab. Cat Bird. Occasionally seen in the thickets, and even 

 in quite heavy timber. In some localities very rare, and generally much less common than 



at the East. 



7. Harporhynchus rufus Cab. Brown Thrush. Quite common about the timber bordering 

 the rivers, and at Boonesboro often seen in its darkest and densest parts. Saw here a female 

 feeding a nearly full-grown Cow Bird (Molothrus pecoris Sw.) 



Saxicolid^;. 



8. Sialia sialis Bd. Blue Bird. Not frequent, and seen only in the vicinity of the timber. 



Parid.e. 



9. Parus atricapillus Linn. Black-capped Titmouse. The most common woodland bird. 



logical Survey, and to Mr. St. John, his able assistant on the of prey from the high position they have, in most systems, 



s ° rve always, but most unwarrantably held, to a position more in ac- 



1 " List of Birds ascertained to inhabit the District of Co- cordance with their real zoological rank, as making a decided 

 lunibia," etc. Smithsonian Report, 1861, pp. 399, 421. advance towards the natural system. We adopt it, of course, 



2 In the following lists the " Arrangement of Families of but provisionally, and with but slight modifications, ch.eHy in 

 Birds, adopted provisionally by the Smithsonian Institution," regarding the Phalaropodidce and the Podmpidce as sub-fami- 

 is generally followed. We deem it as a whole, one of the best lies respectively of Scolopacidm and Colymhdm. It seems to 

 arrangements yet prepared, and in the removal of the birds me there is indisputable evidence that the Fnngdhdce are the 



MEMOIRS BOST. SOC. NAT. hist. Vol. I, Pt. 4. 125 



