Field Notes 
115 
points to scratch your hands and the birds. These are rigid and strong, 
and if they are bent out of shape they can easily be straightened. 
The flat traps proved themselves the most successful in the trapping 
of 2678 birds at Waukegan last year. 
FIELD NOTES 
A SEPTEMBER MOURNING DOVE BROOD 
On the afternoon of August 31, 1921, while walking through a small 
“jungle” of crab apple trees, gooseberry bushes, and other small growth, 
I found a Mourning Dove sitting on a nest containing two eggs. The 
nest was built in a broken off crab apple tree, about four feet from the 
ground. The eggs hatched about a week later, and the young probably 
left the nest safely, although I did not see them after they were large 
enough to fly. Is this a late date for the Mourning Dove to be nesting 
in east central Iowa? 
Fred J. Pierce. 
Winthrop, Iowa. 
STAIN FOR BIRD HOUSES 
A satisfactory stain for bird houses can be easily made from wal- 
nut hulls. The outside covering of a walnut, when rotted slightly, fur- 
nishes a good strong color. Rub it over the surface of the bird house and 
it produces a dull brown color which blends nicely with its surroundings 
and is pleasing to the eye of a bird. The stain will last several seasons, 
when it can be renewed. The stain, where walnuts are available, is es- 
pecially desirable for the small types of bird houses, such as those for 
Wrens, Bluebirds, etc. Fred J. Pierce. 
Winthrop, Iowa. 
A CROW THAT NEARLY “ LOOPED THE LOOP ” 
Not long ago I noticed a Crow flying overhead carrying an article 
in his feet that looked like a mouse or something of the sort. This Crow 
v/anted to transfer the morsel to his bill, and in trying to do so bent his 
head underneath him so far that he lost his balance and barely escaped 
overturning in the air. This must have surprised him considerably, but he 
was a determined Crow and shortly tried it again, with no better success. 
He was continuing his vain efforts when lost to view, but as his unsteady 
flight had brought him very near the ground, he doubtless alighted, 
where his object was accomplished with much less danger to his equi- 
libration. 
Fred J. Pierce. 
Winthrop, Iowa, Nov. 6, 1921. 
ODD NESTING SITE OF PHOEBE 
(Saporms pTioehe) 
Perusal of one of my old note books brings to my attention a 
Phoebe’s nest constructed in the air-shaft of a coal mine near my home 
