BIRD RECORIDS IN THE MISSOURI VALLEY 81 



early record, however. Ordinarily the Harris Sparrow is not 

 seen here after the middle of November; but in 1912 they were 

 noted throughout December. 



38. Tree Sparrow. Spizella monticola. In the fall of 1917 

 this species appeared at precisely the average arrival date, viz., 

 October 21 ; and they were about as numerous as usual through- 

 out the winter. The latest spring date in 1918 was April 8. . 



39. Slate-colored Junco. J unco hyemalis. This species 

 was noted two or three days earlier than usual, viz., September 

 30, and was very numerous during October; the number then 

 decreased during the cold weather. Late in ]\Iarch and early 

 in April the numbers again increased. The Juncos remain a 

 week or ten days later than the Tree Sparrows. The latest date 

 for the Juncos in 1918 was April 22. 



40. Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia. Noted by Mr. 

 Allen throug'h November and December, and by the writer on 

 February 11. 



41. Towhee. Pipilo erythrophthalm'us. A year ago the 

 writer recorded the Towhee as a winter bird in this locality. 

 This winter it was noted by several observers throughout No- 

 vember, December, and the early part of January, always in 

 the same general neighborhood, namely, the sheltered ravines 

 along the Big Sioux river valley. 



42. Cardinal. Cardinalis cardinalis. Noted throughout 

 the winter but in larger numbers during the colder months — 

 because of their gregarious habits at this season. The largest 

 number in one day was eighteen, on January 1. 



43. Cedar Waxwing. BomhyciUa cedrorum. As usual, 

 these birds were not seen until the middle of February, and 

 during March and April they were especially numerous. 



44. Whitie-rumped Shrike. Laniuis eircuhitorkles. The 

 writer is aware that there may be a doubt as to the possibility 

 of distinguishing this form from migrans in the field. How- 

 ever, some shrikes in this locality have a very white rump, while 

 in others the rump is the same color as the back, bluish gray. 

 If this character has any value in subspecific differentiation 

 it is possible to recognize these two forms in the field. If the 

 color of the rump is not a differential character between exciib- 



6 



