BIRDS OF MARSHALL COUNTY 55 



male and female were taken April 25, 1913. The eggs of this para- 

 site were found in the nests of the following species : 



103. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Black- 

 bird. Although the yellow head breeds abundantly in northern 

 Iowa it was noted only once in Marshall county. This was on 

 May 8, 1914, when a flock of four were seen along Iowa river. It 

 was reported by several observers as having bred in former years 

 in a small swamp near the Country Club. 



104. Agelaiiis phceniccus prcdatorius. Red-winged Blackbird. 

 An abundant migrant and common breeding species from March 

 14 to November 18. All my skins were examined by Mr. H. C. 

 Oberholser who pronounced them predatorius. 



One nest found May 24, 1913, and two on May 30, 1913, were 

 built on or near the ground on bogs about the Goose ponds. One 

 found on June 8, 1915, was built in a bunch of weeds on the 

 Soldiers' Home grounds. Several discovered on June 30, 1915, 

 were built in cattails in a small swamp. On July 14, 1915, one 

 was found built in the clover in the center of a large clover field. 

 All others discovered in this locality were built in the small willows 

 that border Iowa river and other streams. These different locations 

 are mentioned in order to show the adaptability of this species in 

 this region where normal nesting sites are not plentiful. The 

 earliest date on which eggs were found was May 24 and the 

 latest July 14. 



This species was the worst sufferer from the sudden flooding of 

 the lowlands on June 8, 1914. Sixteen eggs of this species were 

 picked out of one small mass of drift after the water went down 

 and many nests lower down stream were known to have been 

 flooded. 



105. Sturnella magna magna. Meadowlark. Both the eastern 

 and western meadowlarks were common about Marshalltown and 

 the writer was never able to decide which was the more abundant. 

 Both species were often singing at the same time and the contrast 

 was striking. In behavior the two species are much the same. The 

 Meadowlark was found commonly from March 14 to October 25. 

 One was collected March 28, 1914. 



