50 
Iowa Ornithologist. 
is usnally snpposed. He also mentions the late nesting of the Cuckoos, es¬ 
pecially the Yellow-billed. He has found its nest with fresh eggs in as late as 
August Both.* Mr. D. L. Savage brings the date to August 26th and Mr. Brown 
found in one tree, on September 4th, a Dove’s nest containing two fresh eggs 
and just above it a nest of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo in which were three slight¬ 
ly incubated eggs. Mrs. Raun found two young Mourning Doves in a nest as 
late as September 14th. 
The diet of the Shrike was quite thoroughly discussed. Mrs. Triem was 
not aware of their eating Prairie^Horned Larks, but had seen them catch Tree 
Sparrows. It was a unanimous decision that the barbed wire fences was a 
great boon to these birds; frogs, mice, Tree Sparrows and grasshoppers had 
been seen suspended from barbs. Mr. Brown finds the Loggerhead at Daven¬ 
port in equal abundance with the White- rumped Shrike. There is some ques¬ 
tion about his statement. He says this is an opening for systematic investiga¬ 
tion, there is room for opinions on both sides. A number of our Wrens and 
Flycatchers should receive special attention also. 
Mrs. Raun was very glad that Mr. Wilson brought such an interesting sub¬ 
ject before us, and she is going to make a list of the birds she finds in the lawn 
near her home and give to us at the next congress. That will be some syste¬ 
matic work. 
In speaking of investigation on birds near town, recalls to Mr. Law some 
of his early experiences. For a month or more a flock of Evening Grosbeaks 
fed daily within|the corporations of Perry, la. Our ornithologist at that place 
was very desirous of obtaining a number of specimens, so he would arise before 
people were awake and shoot once or twice—not often enough to arouse any 
disturbance—but continuing this a few mornings, the desired number of speci¬ 
mens were obtained. Mr. Brown was not energetic enough to follow the above 
prescription, but he, with Mr. Paul Bartsch, devised a scheme which worked 
successfully in Iowa City. A flock of birds—Redpolls—were feeding on the 
weeds along one side of the college campus, Mr. Brown secured an air gun and 
carefully discharged it at convenient intervals, while his co-worker in an un¬ 
concerned manner followed behind picking up the, birds. A satisfactory 
number^of Redpolls were secured. Not unfrequently this means was resorted 
to when rare birds were in the neighborhood and always with success. 
Mr. Brown, while speaking of the rarer birds mentions the Red Crossbill. 
He thinks that it is possible that this species may be found nesting in the state 
in some of the wilder sections. Mr. Law saw three females in May at Perry, 
Iowa, and he has observed them in September; he also has seen a specimen of 
Evening Grosbeak in June, in Dallas county, but it was undoubtedly a lost bird. 
The question is asked, “How many species of Juncos do we have in the 
state?” There is no positive answer to the question, but a number volunteer 
to make thorough investigation and undoubtedly this question will be cleared 
up before another congress. Up to date there are no authentic records of but 
one species being found—the Slate-colored Junco. 
