326 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



from the latter part of September to the end of October. It is a 

 shy species, skulking in dense weeds and bushes, and seen much 

 less frequently in spring than in fall. The species is generally 

 distributed over the state, in most localities being considered rare, 

 but tolerably common at other points. They were very common 

 at Forest City during the month of October, 1896, in company 

 with Clay-colored and White-throated Sparrows. 



260. (584). Melospiza georgianaiX'S''^^'^-)- Swamp Sparrow. 

 The Swamp Sparrow is a common migrant in all parts of the 



state, but is seldom seen on account of its shy and retiring hab- 

 its; most common in April and October, although they have been 

 reported as early as May 25 (Scott) and as late as October 29 (Polk). 

 A few remain during the summer in various parts of the state, al- 

 though by far the greater number go further north to breed. 

 Although usually found in wet meadows or along reedy streams, 

 the Swamp Sparrow occasionally is found in dry fields or thick- 

 ets. It is reported as a rare summer resident in Boone (Henning); 

 Jackson, "common summer resident" (Giddings); Kossuth (Bing- 

 aman); Lee (Currier); Linn (Berry); Van Buren (Wm. Savage); 

 Winnebago (Anderson); Winneshiek (Smith); Dickinson — com- 

 mon, Aug. 18, near Spirit Lake (Anderson). 



Genus Passerella Swainson. 



261. (585). Passcrella iliaca (Merrem). Fox Sparrow. 



The Fox Sparrow is one of the most abundant as well as one 

 of the largest and handsomest Sparrows found in Iowa during the 

 migrations. It is not known to breed within the United States. 

 The extremes of migration given are March 12-April 23, and 

 September 25-November 25, in Scott county (Wilson). In Win- 

 nebago county I have found them, usually, most abundant during 

 the first week of April and first week of October. It generally 

 frequents thickets and hedges, rustling for most of its food among 

 the dead leaves which cover the ground at that season. 



Genus Pipilo Vieillot. 



262. (587). Pipilo cyvtlnophthahnus (Linn.). Towhee. 



The Towhee or Chewink is a common summer resident in nearly 

 all portions of the state and abundant in some localities. Wm. 



