84 THE RAPTORIAL BIRDS OF IOWA 



and nearby states. In all, no less than thirty of these birds have been 

 reported to the writer between early October and the middle of 

 January. 



The observations made by Dr. T. C. Stephens and W. J. Himmel 

 of Sioux City give evidence that these birds first appeared in that 

 region as early as October 5, and nine birds in all are reported by 

 them from that date to early December. 



Mr. Harold Thiesen of Hamburg had received two Goshawks be- 

 fore Thanksgiving day, and Mr. T. R. Cowles of the same place had 

 taken one specimen and had seen four others. Near Cedar Rapids 

 some five specimens in all were secured, while the remainder of those 

 noted were either shot by students of the University of Iowa or were 

 sent to the laboratory of Professor Homer R. Dill of that institu- 

 tion. Comparatively few of the stomachs of these birds were exam- 

 ined, but of those in which the contents were reported only one had 

 traces of mammal hair. The observations and testimony of those 

 who shot a number of these hawks was almost unanimous as to the 

 destruction of poultry by the Goshawks they killed. One was shot 

 while attempting to capture a turkey ; several were shot while eating 

 chickens, and others while attempting to secure them. Four speci- 

 mens (one A. a. striatulus) were received from Mr. Joseph Shell- 

 horn near Cedar Rapids, who said that he had killed them all during 

 one week and that he had lost no less than twenty-five or thirty of 

 his fowls by their raids. 



The dates on which the birds were recorded indicate that the flight 

 first reached Iowa from the north and west early in October, and that 

 by the middle of the month specimens were being taken in Iowa City. 

 At Hamburg the first record seems to be October 25. The last bird 

 examined was taken at Iowa City the 15th of December. Among 

 the specimens secured the sexes are about equally divided. 



The evidence in hand shows that this species is the most destruc- 

 tive of Iowa hawks, and that it would be a matter of serious concern 

 if these birds should become as common every winter as they have 

 been during the past season. 



