The Iowa Ornithologist, 



DEVOTED TO ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY, 



Vol. I. 



OCTOBER 1894. 



No. 1. 



NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF 

 lO WA. 



The following are the observations 

 of the active members of the I. 0. A, 

 on the family Fringillidffi (Finches, 

 sparrows, etc.,) and Muiotillids. 

 (Warbler); a few notes have been 

 added to them, especially those of 

 Carl Kelsey's, taken from his list of 

 "Birds of Poweshiek County, Iowa," 

 which was published in the September 

 1891, "Ornithologist and Oologiet." 



In the compiling of these notes I 

 have adopted the arrangement of the 

 American Ornithological Union, and 

 so give the number of species as it 

 occurs in the Union list; I have also 

 appended, in paranthesis, the number 

 of the species as given in Cone's Key 

 and Checj^ List. This is for the con- 

 venience of those who have this 

 valuable manual. 



Order PASSEEES. 



(Perching Birds.) 



Birds with weak feet, usually slight 

 bills, mostly singers. 



Suborder OSCINES. 



(Song Birds..) 



I'amily FEINGrlLLADAfi. 



(Finches, Sparrows, etc ) 



Feed on seeds and insects; our na- 

 tive species are beneficial; many 



species are sylvan, while others fre- 

 quent the clearer fields. 



514:— {1 SO .)Coccoth eranstes vesper tin a . 

 (Coop.) 



EVENING GKOSBEAK. 



Winter; rarely seen; "very rare in 

 Van Buren County, a few found in 

 winter feeding on hackberries," (Wm. 

 Savage); "I have not seen any since 

 January, 1891, in Jackson County," 

 (H J. Giddings.) 



517—194:. Carpodacus perpureus. 

 (Gmel.) 



PUEPLE FINCH. 



Eatber common in migration; 

 throughout the state; flocks; "have 

 met this species in Winnebago county 

 a few times in spring, May 6, 1893, 

 saw a very large flock; once in fall, 

 November 11, 1893," (Eudolph M. 

 Anderson); "have met them every 

 spring in Jackson county; occasionally 

 in winter," (H. J. Giddings;) "on 

 April 4, 1891, saw a very large flDck 

 in heavy timber scattered over a 

 number of trees; shooting off a gun 

 produced little disturbance; took eight 

 specimens; some in female plumage 

 singing as well as the males in bright 

 plumage; of those secured, three were 

 males in bright or adult plumage, 



