ANDERSON — THK HIKDS OF IOWA. 351 



ing its range westward. In 1878, Dr. Coues states tliat it was 

 "only known west to the Mississippi" (Birds of the Colorado Val- 

 ley, p. 246), but at the present time it is rather frequently ob- 

 served as a migrant in low^a during the months of May and Sep- 

 tember. 



County records : Blackhawk — "this species, once considered 

 accidental in Blackhawk county, has in recent years become com- 

 paratively common" (Peck). Jackson — "common transient" 

 (Giddings). Johnson — "a specimen was taken at Iowa City, Nov. 

 27, 1886" (Keyes and Williams, Birds of Iowa, p. 153); specimen 

 in the University museum, taken at Iowa City, May 6, 18S7, and 

 at Tiffin. Saw^ one male on Iowa University campus, May 10, 

 1905, and they were also observed by W. B. Bell on May 12, 1905 

 (Anderson). Linn — "spring and fall migrant" (Bailey, Berry). 

 Poweshiek— "tolerably common transient" (Kelsc}^). Scott — 

 "rather rare migrant. May 14-23; not seen in fall" (Wilson). Van 

 Buren — "spring migrant, very rare" (W. G. Savage). Winne- 

 shiek — "rare; reported b}^ Hall Thomas" (Smith). 



The species was not reported from western Iowa. There are 

 two definite Nebraska records, — a male taken at Alda, May 12, 

 1883, by F. V. Powell, and another at Omaha, May 24, 1893, ^Y 

 ly. Skow (Rev. Birds Neb., 1904, pp. 101-102). 



Subgenus Dendroica Gra}-. 



298. (652). Dendroica ccstiva (Gmel.). Yellow Warbler. 



The Yellow Warbler is an abundant summer resident in all 

 parts of the state from the latter part of April or early Ma}- until 

 September. This is the species popularly called "Wild Canary," 

 although the American Goldfinch also shares this name. It nests 

 commonly in willow or hazel thickets, sometimes in hedges or 

 small groves, from two to eight feet from the ground. The 

 nest is composed of grasses and fibrous threads and usually lined 

 with white cotton wood dowm; eggs three to five, generally laid in 

 the last week of May and first two weeks of June. The eggs of 

 the Cowbird are frequently laid in the Yellow Warbler's nest, but 

 if one is deposited before the rightful owner's eggs are laid, the 

 Warbler will build a second story to the nest, imbedding the Cow- 

 bird's &^<g in the bottom. 



