1914 J Tinker, Ornithology of Clay and Palo Alio Counties, la. 79 



49. Cyanocitta cristata cristata. Blue Jay. — One specimen, an 

 adult female, was taken at Lost Island Lake, July 26. No others were 

 noted. 



50. Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos. Crow. — Observed 

 in small flocks in July and August, on the prairie, in groves, and in the wood- 

 land along the lakes and streams. The nests were only noted along the 

 Ocheyedan River at Spencer and at Gilletts Grove on the Little Sioux River. 



51. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Bobolink. — The Bobolink was only 

 found in small numbers. The breeding pairs were only noted in low 

 meadows, but on August 26 a small flock in winter plumage was seen on 

 upland prairie. 



52. Molothrus ater ater. Cow^bird. — The Cowbird was found 

 everywhere, but the only immature birds were taken in the groves and in 

 the woods along the streams, July 18 (well feathered) August 22 (nestlings). 



53. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Yellow-headed Black- 

 bird. — One of the most abundant species in the region. A large series of 

 specimens, representing every plumage, of this beautiful blackbird were 

 secured. The nests were found only in colonies, and were placed in the 

 rushes and sedges in the sloughs. A large colony at the east end of Elbow 

 Lake consisted of hundreds of breeding pairs. Nestlings were found in 

 this colony of July 16, but most of the young birds were well feathered and 

 leaving the nests at this time. 



54. Agelaius phCBniceus phoeniceus. Red-winged Blackbird. — 

 Like the preceding species the Red-winged Blackbu-d is very common, but 

 the birds do not seem to range so far from the marshes, where they nest, 

 and the nests are more widely distributed. Nesthngs were found on July 

 3 and 5, but the young birds were leaving the nest at this time. In two 

 nests the young birds were three and five in number. 



55. Sturnella neglecta. Western Meadowlark. — A common 

 species in all of the prairie areas, meadows and cultivated fields. Well 

 feathered immature birds were taken on July 19 and August 1 and 27. 



56. Icterus spurius. Orchard Oriole. — The Orchard Oriole was 

 only found in the willows that have been planted along the roads, but it 

 undoubtedly occurs in the other wooded habitats. Four individuals were 

 seen, one an immature male (well feathered) taken on August 3. 



57. Icterus galbula. Baltimore Oriole. — Only observed in two 

 upland groves and in low woods at Trumbull Lake. Two immature birds 

 in downy plumage were taken on August 1, and another well feathered was 

 noted on August 9. 



58. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Grackle. — Noted in all 

 of the wooded habitats, but most frequently in the upland groves. Imma- 

 ture birds were taken in a grove in Clay County, July 6 (well feathered), 

 7 (one in the down and one well feathered), and 11 (fully feathered). 



59. Astragalinus tristis tristis. Goldfinch. — A common species, 

 nesting in the groves but feeding to a considerable extent in the open 

 habitats. A nest with four eggs was found on August 13. 



