52 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Vol. XXVI, 1919 



95. Empidonax flaviventris. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. The 

 small flycatchers of this group are all seemingly rather uncommon 

 about Marshalltown. The yellow-bellied flycatcher was found only 

 twice. On May 24, 1913, the writer collected two of this species. 

 These birds were identified by Mr. H. C. Oberholser. On May 14, 

 1915, on the morning after a terrific hailstorm two more of these 

 flycatchers were found among a number of birds picked up dead. 

 Others were occasionally seen which might have been this species 

 but none were positively identified. 



96. Empidonax trailli alnorum. Alder Flycatcher. This species 

 also appears to be uncommon. My first record is a specimen taken 

 on September 12, 1913, and identified by Mr. H. C. Oberholser. 

 Two more birds seen in the same spot on September 13 presumably 

 were of this species as was another noted September 22, 1913. On 

 May 22, 1915, one was taken and a number of others noted and on 

 June 30 at Mormons Ridge a nest was found containing one Qgg. 

 This nest was hung in some low bushes hanging over a little stream 

 formed by a spring. The old bird was very tame and allowed us to 

 approach within a few feet. 



97. Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. A common mi- 

 grant from May 2 to June 2 and August 21 to September 20. Also 

 an uncommon summer resident. A pair was seen about Mormons 

 Ridge from June 25 to July 20, but no nest was found and no others 

 were noted in the summer months. 



98. Otocoris alpcstris praticola. Prairie-horned Lark. The 

 prairie-horned larks were common permanent residents. They 

 were more in evidence in March than any other season of the year. 

 They commence to sing freely about March 1 (earliest date Feb. 

 28, 1914) and are quite conspicuous in the fields and meadows for 

 the next two weeks. A brood of fledglings in the spotted plumage 

 was noted July 8, 1915. A nest evidently of this species was 

 described to me by a schoolboy in April, 1915, but it had been 

 destroyed at the time of my visit. My winter specimens were all 

 identified as this subspecies by H. C. Oberholser. 



99. Cyanocitta cristata cristala. Blue Jay. A very common 

 permanent resident. They nest commonly in Marshalltown in the 

 trees along the streets but are so quiet that they are not often 

 discovered. One nest found May 30. 1913. contained four eggs. 

 It was situated low down in a hawthorne tree and was the only 

 nest actually inspected. 



