32 



THE IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 



piece of string-. Lined with line 

 grass. In fork of sinall willow 5ft 

 up. 



II. July 7. '89-1-3 Small em- 

 br^'os. Nest, outside depth 3}i 

 inside lyi. Material emdheightas 

 ill I. 



III. July 21, '89 1-3 Data sam2 

 as in II. 



IV. June 29, '90- 1-4 Incubation 

 advanced. Nests as in above. 



V. June 29 '90 -1-4 Fresh. Nest 

 in willow 4ft up. 



VI. June 21, '91 - 1-4 Fresh." 

 ( Jno. V. Crone, Bucna Vista Co. ) 



"Nests in willow copses near 

 running- stream. Two sets taken 

 as follows: 



I. June 18, '94- 1-4 Fresh. Birds 

 shy. Nests in willow crotch 6 ft 

 up, and 10 ft from water. Com- 

 posed of willow libers, lined with 

 down from willow. 



II. July 14, '94-- 1-3 Fresh. Nest 

 similar to first in willow crotch 

 8ft up."(E. Irons, Council Bluffs. ) 



467. Empidonax minimus. ( Baird.) 



LEAST FLYCATCHER. 



"Breeds common!}^ in Buena 

 Vista Co. Nests resembl ng- 

 Yellow Warbler's in position, date 

 and material. Usually 4 cg<^^. 

 Cowbirds impose on this specicr. 

 Normally one brood in a season." 

 (Jno. V. C:one.) "Common sum- 

 mer resident in Winncbag-o Co. 

 Nests found in willow or cotton 

 wood groves near houses, some- 

 times in woods, never higher than 

 15ft. 4 creamy white egg's are 



laid before the middle of June. 

 Bird can frequently be caught on 

 the nest." (R. M. Anderson.) 

 "Rare summer resident in Lyon 

 Co." (C. R. Ball.) "Common 

 from May 1st to June 1st. No 

 individuals ever remained all sum- 

 mer near Grinnell. I have no 

 Autumn record. "CLynds Jones.) 



Suborder OSCINES. 



Song Birds. 



Family ALAUDID.E. 



Larks. 



Five of the members, from as 

 many counties, have reported on 

 this family in our state. From 

 their notes it appears that it is 

 represented by only one species 

 viz: 



474b Otocoris alpestris praticola. 



PRAIRIE HORNED LARK. 



Mr. Savag-e expressed his belief 

 that Otocoris alpestris also occurs 

 as a visitant although he has 

 not observed it. 



The Prairie Horned Lark is a 

 permanent resident as far north 

 as Lyon Co, and doubtless cccur.5 

 as such in most if not all parts of 

 the state. "It is least common in 

 winter and most in mig-rating- 

 seasons."f J. Eugene Law). 



The habitat of this species 

 varies with the season. During- 

 the winter he frequents bare spots 

 barnyards and roadsides, where 

 food is most easily found. The 

 notes on nesting- will show its 



