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IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Voi,. XXIX, 1922 
Robin (Albino Specimen) 
( Planesticus migratorius migratorius ) 
During the summer of 1916 and 1917 an albino robin nested 
on the south side of the campus. Several persons reported it to 
me. Finally on May 27, 1917, I observed this individual and to 
good advantage. The following are the notes I made at the time : 
“We obtained several excellent views of it. This individual was 
not pure white at all, in fact the only white patch in the plumage 
was one on the rump and base of tail which extended up the 
back about half way to the neck. The tail had a few white 
feathers in the middle, and the rest of the bird was mottled by 
the presence of white feathers, but the natural colors usually 
predominated.” 
The fact that the same individual was seen in the same place 
the year before (1916) is of significance in proving that, in this 
case at least, a bird may return to the same identical spot to nest 
from year to year. 
SPECIES DOUBTFULLY ACCREDITED TO THE AMES 
REGION 
Rusty Blackbird 
( Euphagus carolinus) 
Reliable records of the occurrence of the rusty blackbird at 
Ames must exist since the species has been so frequently reported 
there by amateurs. Such records, however, are not at hand. 
Most of the records by amateurs are to be questioned as they too 
frequently refer undoubtedly to either the cow bird or the female 
redwing. Professor Guthrie states of the rusty blackbird, “I do 
not believe I have ever seen one alive . . . .” In eastern Iowa 
the species is said to be fairly common. 
Blue Grosbeak 
( Guiraca caerulea caerulea) 
On May 15, 1919, while I was taking my class of bird students 
on a trip, a bird, thought to be the blue grosbeak, was observed 
in the woods north of town. Subsequent observation of this 
individual proved it to be a somewhat “off color” specimen of the 
indigo bunting. A record of this species occurring at Ames was 
published in Bird Lore. It probably refers to the individual ob- 
served May 15, 1919. 
