2f> Iowa Ornithoi.ocist. 



list fiOMPi-EiE. Look up your cheek- list and return it \\ithout delay. 



The call in the last Iowa OrnitholoctIst for the careful study of bird 

 niiKratiou in the state has broaj^ht response from a number of workers. How- 

 ever only two — H. J. (JiddiuKs and W. G. Savage — have made out monthly 

 reports as requested. These two gentlemen are doing excellent systematic field 

 work and we cannot do better than give space to a monthly report from each. 



some notes on the birds and weather in van BUREN CO., IOWA, MARCH, 1897, 



BY W. G. SAVAGE. 



1 . Light cloudy and warm with nrrth-east wind. White-bellied Nut- 

 hatches cleaning oat holes preparatory to nesting. Cireat Horned Owls setting 

 and hatching. 



2. Heavy cloudy with north-east %\ ind, cool and misting rain ; ground 

 covered with 4 in. of snow. Birdlife on the standstill. 



3. Clear with cold north-west wind. Red-tailed Hawks moving about, 

 other birdlife generally qviiet. 



4. Dark, cloudy, with south wind and rain ; birds very quiet. 



5. Light cloady, north-west wind ; birds not moving much. 



6. Light cloudy with north-east wind, cool. Wild Geese passing north- 

 ward, Cardinal Grosbeaks whistling loud. 



7. Dull cloudy with east wind, cool ; birds on the stand. 



8. Heavy broken clouds with south-east wind, thunder and rain. Blue- 

 birds common, Robins and Slate-colored Juncos increasing ; Pewees, Meadow 

 Larks, Mallard Ducks, Green-wing Teels and Bay- wing Sparrows appear. 



9. Dall cloudy with north-west wind, cool. Purple Grackles, Song Sparr- 

 ows and Swamp Sparrows appear. Bald Eagles passing north, small birds gen- 

 erally found in sheltered places from the wind. 



10. Clear and frosty with .south wind. Red- tailed and Red- shouldered 

 Hawks flying plentifully, other birdlife generally quiet. 



1 1 . Dark cloudy with .south-east wind and raining some. Red-wing Black- 

 birds begin to sing. Cooper's Hawks mating. Fox-colored Sparrows and Tow- 

 hees appear, Meadow Larks common. 



\'i. Clear with strong north-we.st wind, cold; a few Ducks flying, small 

 Ijirds generally quiet. 



].']. Dark cloudy with east wind; Red-tailed Hawks laying and sitting, 

 Robins wonderfully plenty and Juncos numerous. 



14. Clear with north-west wind ; birdlife quiet. 



15. Clear with south-west wind. Red-shouldered Hawks nesting, Juncos 

 moving northward, Fox Sparrows common. Woodcocks appear, some Crows 

 nesting. 



10. Very light cloudy with .south-east wind ; Red- tailed Hawks flying very 

 plentiful, Song Sparrows increasing, a few Ducks pas.sing north. 



17. Dark cloudy with south-east wind and some rain ; birds on the stand. 



18. Dark cloudy with gentle south wind and some rain; Robins and 

 Flickers begin to .sing, Towhees common. 



19. Light cloudy with .south-west wind, warm; Buffle-headed Ducks appear, 

 birds in general very lively. 



