16 IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 



General Remarlis on Table VI 



Observations were made on this date between 9 :30 and 11 :30 

 A. M. and between 2 :00 and 4 :02 p. m. during which time the 

 young received twenty-seven feedings. 



The nestlings appeared more active than at any previous 

 date, moving about in the nest, scratching their heads and eyes 

 with their feet and pecking at their own plumage as if dressing 

 and preening it. 



At 10:35 the female, after an absence of eight minutes, ar- 

 rived at the nest without food but remained for only three min- 

 utes; this time she occupied in pulling and pushing the nest 

 materials about as if to make the home more tidy. 



At 11:27 the observer noted the female chasing a grasshop- 

 per near the nest; she was unsuccessful in her attempts to catch 

 the insect. 



Again at 3 :57 p. m. the female arrived without food ; upon 

 her arrival all the mouths opened as usual and the adult pecked 

 the inside of the mouth of one nestling as if to make him be- 

 lieve he were being fed. The ruse seemed to have the effect of 

 quieting the youngster. 



TABLE Yll— August 6 



Time of Kind of Remarks Disposition Remarks 



feeding food of excreta 



3:11 p. M. ? 5 feeds 1 juv. 



3:23 P.M. Insect 6 feeds 1 juv. j receives pellet of excrement 



and flies away 

 3:48 p. M. Larva 9 feeds 2 juvs. None 



3:51 p. M. Insect 6 feeds 1 juv. 



4:10 p. M. Insects 2 feeds 3 juvs 



4:55 P. M. Insect $ feeds 1 juv. 



General Remarks on Table Yll 

 Observations were conducted only between the hours of 3 :05 

 and 5:06 p. m. during which time the young received six feed- 

 ings. 



The adults remained away from their brood a great deal of 

 the time, and the number of feedings was somewhat reduced, 

 averaging but three per hour. 



The nestlings were now so large as to occupy almost the en- 



