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IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Voi.. XXVII, 1920 
I had a splendid opportunity to study them, as they came in 
small flocks of eight or twelve each day about four o’clock and 
ate the cones on our spruce trees, not over thirty feet from our 
door. They were dark red — more the color of the orchard 
oriole, and not as pink as shown in Reed’s Guide. The white 
wing bar was very distinct. Could riot give date when last seen, 
but think they were here most of the winter and seemed to be in 
small flocks here and there about town.” 
45. Redpoll. Acanthis linaria. The big flight of Redpofls was 
in the winter of 1916-1917. Since then there have been only a 
few stragglers. On January 19, 1919, a flock of six were seen 
in Logan Park Cemetery by Messrs. Allen, Ludcke and the writer. 
Three small flocks were reported by Mr. Allen in February and 
March, 1920. 
46. Goldfinch. Astragalinus tristis. These birds, which are 
usually common throughout our winter season, were notable in 
their absence in the winter of 1919-1920. None were reported 
from the last of November to the last of February; while in 
most years at such a time they are hardly missed on any trip. 
Late in the spring local newspapers carried items referring to 
large flocks of Goldfinches in the southeastern corner of the state 
(Iowa). The following observations by Mr. Frank C. Pellett 
refer to the vicinity of Hamilton, Illinois, and Keokuk, Iowa. 
“We are now having the most remarkable visitation of Gold- 
finches that I ever saw. The whole town is talking about the 
‘wild canaries’ which appear in flocks of hundreds on the lawns 
eating seeds of the dandelion. All my life I have been accus- 
tomed to seeing these birds in small flocks of a dozen or more; 
but this spring thousands of them are present hereabout, and 
have been here for a number of days. One will see a big flock 
in the trees and on the grass, and walking a few blocks will see 
a similar flock; going into the country still other flocks will be 
seen.” 
One wonders to what extent this assemblage of one species 
took place. 
47. Pine Siskin. Spinus pinus. Mr. Allen noted small flocks 
at McCook Lake in December and February. They were fre- 
quently seen by others during March and April, and as late as 
May 2, 1920. 
48. Gambel’s Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli. The 
writer saw four Gambel’s Sparrows on October 5, 1919, in the 
