BIRDS OF MARSHALL COUNTY 147 



55. Oxyeclius vociferus. Killdeer. A common summer res- 

 ident from March 14 to November 1. In the spring migration 

 numbers of killdeer passed through this locality until about May 

 1, after which date only the breeding birds remained. Small 

 flocks probably of breeding birds began to appear in late July. 

 Gradually the flocks grew larger, the maximum number being 

 present during the tirst ten days in October. 



A pair with four downy young were seen along the Goose 

 ponds on July 8, 1914. In June of 1915 Mr. Henry Friese sent 

 two young killdeers just a few hours old which he had captured 

 in his corn field. 



56. Aegialites semipalmata. Semipalmated Plover. An un- 

 common migrant. One out of a flock of nine was taken Septem- 

 ber 1, 1913, while they were feeding on an extensive mud flat. 

 It was also recorded on August 22 and 27 and September 20 of 

 that fall. In the spring of 1914 two were noted along the shores 

 of a small pond on May 3. These remained until the 8tli when 

 they were joined by another, and the three were last noted on 

 May 10. Between August 10 and 22 from one to three birds 

 were noted at the Goose ponds on various dates. The species 

 was not found at all in 1915. 



57. Collnus virginianus virginianus. Bob White. This species 

 was local. On several farms that were visited where the birds 

 were carefully protected small coveys could always be found but 

 outside of these places the records are few. Three downy young 

 were seen June 14, 1915, but no nests were found. Further 

 down Iowa river it is reported to be more common. 



58. Tympanuchus americanus america/niis. Prairie Chicken. 

 An uncommon permanent resident. Their numbers were some- 

 what increased during the winter by birds from farther north 

 but in nearly three years of field work in this region the writer 

 saw only seven flocks of these birds. The largest of these con- 

 tained twentj^-five birds and the smallest three. A nest was re- 

 ported from north of Marshalltown in 1914, but by the time the 

 place was visited the birds had either hatched or the eggs had 

 been destroyed. It undoubtedly bred in small numbers through- 

 out the country. 



59. Zenaidura maeroura Caroline )isis. Mourning Dove. An 

 abundant migrant and summer resident from April 2 to Octo- 



