GENERAL NOTES 45 



At least two species of Raptorial birds listed by J. A. Allen in 

 his catalog of the birds of Iowa published in Appendix B of White's 

 Geology of Iowa, Vol. II, 1870, have not appeared, nor have they 

 been authenticated by collected specimens. Among these are Rich- 

 ardson's Owl and Kirtland's Owl. The former of these will prob- 

 ably be found at length by careful search. 



In making the distributional maps I have tried to avoid supposi- 

 tional records or quotations that leave it uncertain that the species 

 was actually observed by a competent person or that a specimen was 

 collected. Where breeding records are given it is on a similar basis. 

 Occasionally the judgment of the writer is stressed, but the effort 

 has always been to give the facts as nearly as they might be ascer- 

 tained. 



If the Sparrow Hawk or Screech Owl were not only encouraged 

 but propagated they would do more in the way of ridding us of in- 

 sect pests and other vermin, such as mice, etc., than all the cats in 

 the vicinity. 



