10 THP: IOWA ORNITHOLOGIST. 



is roaming- the fields in compan}^ with a number of her kind, evanc- 

 nig- no concern whatever of her offspring-. 



The only species coming under my observation that objected 

 to the cowbird's eg-g- in its nest is the notorious king-bird. For a 

 week I made daily visits to an old orchard where a pair of king-- 

 bird's had their nest in one of the apple trees. I watched them as 

 they broug-ht the last material for the nest and counted the eg-g-s 

 each morning- as they were laid--one, two, three, ^ — but on the mor- 

 ning- when I expected to find the fourth, on approaching- 

 the tree I saw that a strang-er was on the nest. I cannot say 

 whether I or the strang-er saw the other first. Nevertheless Lady 

 Cowbird made short work of slipping- off the nest and reaching- the 

 nearest woodland. She not even paused long- enoug-h to give me a 

 morning- salutation as the king-bird was in the habit of doing*. 

 Upon investig-ation the nest was found to contain three of the king-- 

 bird's eg-g-s and one of the cowbird's. Returning- in about an hour 

 to see how matters were at the king-bird home, lady tyranmis was 

 on the nest and all seemed quiet. But lo! the poor cowbird eg-g 

 was not in the nest nor under the nest, nor could it be found any 

 where. Undoubtedly Master King-bird had removed it. He would 

 not allow his beloved mate to be converted into a foster parent. 



Knowing that in order to find life in any abundance one must 

 traverse some water course. Life in all forms is most abundant 

 near water. And especially is this true during- the long- sultry 

 days of Aug-ust when the freshness of the deep shad}* ravines is 

 sought for as a retreat from the burning- heat. I follow along- a 

 small stream until it runs into the main creek. Not far awa}' is a 

 "palace of reeds" built by nature's own hand, on a low bluff of the 

 creek's east bank. This palace of reeds is handsomely furnished 

 with a mossy log- for a sofa. I find quite a number of feathered 

 folk at home. They are all bus}- preparing- the morning- meal. 



The blue-wing-ed teal i^Anas discors) has her family of seven 

 pretty children out a few 3'ards in the marsh, teaching- them how 

 to swim and secure their own food. They seem to be having- a 

 jolly g-ood time and do not notice that there is a strang-er at their 

 door. The nest in which these little ones were hatched is not far 

 away, a snug affair, tucked neatly away among- the reeds and grass 

 and formed of fine dry grass, lined wilh a little gray down. 



Yonder on a dead snag is a marsh hawk {Circus Juidsonius). 

 His little ones have been large enouofh to shift for themselves for 



