14 



We like t(i receive letters vvliich read like tliis: 



"I am keeping extensive field notes this year and will transfer my mi- 

 gration records to the blanks which 1 received a few days ago. Wishing 

 yon success this season. I am. yours in the work, 



V. L. Beed. Hampton. Iowa. 



Mr. Lynds Jones, of Oberlin. Ohio, informs us that he pushed the study 

 of winter birds during this winter at his station, and found it very profit- 

 able and not unpleasant. He found both Horned Larks and Prairie 

 Horned Larks there in flocks together. Mr. Jones hopes that the Horned 

 Larks will receive careful treatment by the I. O. A. members as he feels 

 sure that Iowa should have at least four of the forms. He has taken two 

 specimens near Oberlin which are nearer leucolaea than anything else. 

 Likewise the Shrikes — they have found both Loggerhead and AYhite- 

 ruraped in about equal numbers with many intermediates. The Iowa 

 Shrikes, he thinks, are probably likewise jnixed. 



Mr. H. J. Giddings writes that lie noticed in the October Iowa Orni- 

 THOLOGIST there was some discussion at the Manchester meeting concern- 

 ing the prevailing form of the Water Thrush in the state. Near Sabula 

 he has met with none except Urinnell's Water Thrush. This species be- 

 ing very abundant at times, but he has never found their nests. This 

 being the most eastern part of the state, he assumes that this Is the pre- 

 vailing form over most of the state. On Nov. 17, 1897, a female American 

 Scoter was shot near Sabula out of a small flock and brought to Mr. 

 Giddings to be mounted. This is his first record of the species and the 

 old hunters claim that it is the first specimen ever taken near there. 



On May 3d. 1897. I found a nest of six young White-rumped Shrikes 

 Birds about 10 days old. This is my earliest date on record. On July 6th, 

 1897. I and a friend collected a set of four Red Starts, incubation just 

 begun— a very late date for Red Start. John. J. Skinner. 



Since our last issue the following persons have been admifted to active 

 membership in the I. O. A: Miss J. E. Hamand. Schaller: Messrs James 

 L. Johnson. Ames: and Harold Odle. Hull. Also to associate member- 

 sliip. Mr. C. L. Passmore. of lola. Wis. 



-^^ 



