Thus by awakening the farmer to his own interests, securing needful laws, and with a never-ceasing warfare against the pseudo-naturalists and English Sparrow, we may in time hope to recall to their own homes, our favorite friends, the pursued and persecuted birds. As they return to our door yards and take up life as in the days of yore, we will become better acquainted and realize more fully their great mission in this world.
This return will serve as a death warrant to the avaricious collector and as an impetus to the student who devotes his life to the exploration of the characters and habits of these, the favorites of nature.
Notes on the Birds of Iowa.
JOHN V. CRONE, MARATHON, IOWA, COMPILER.
The Vireonidæ, our family for special study this quarter, is quite well represented in Iowa, the reports embracing definite notes from sixteen counties, and upon seven different species. No doubt the notes would have been more profuse were it not for the fact that ornithologists are somewhat tardy in becoming acquainted with the different varieties of our smaller birds.
624. Vireo olivaceus. (Linn.)
RED-EYED VIREO.
The Red-eyed Greenlet is of wide distribution, not being confined to the U. S.
In Iowa it appears to be quite generally found. However, the notes show a dearth of either the birds or enthusiastic ornithologists in the west and northwest portions of the state, since it is reported from only one county,—Pottawattamie—in that region, while there are profuse notes on the species from fifteen in the eastern and central parts.
It arrives in the state in late April and early May, breeds during late May and all of June and leaves during the latter part of August or September.
It is a more numerous migrant than summer resident; but is not rare by any means during the breeding season, being reported as “common” or “abundant” by nearly all who mention the numbers found through the period of nidification. Assuming all those who reported on the species to be equally versed in our favorite science, the numbers vary considerably with locality. Most likely this is due to the topography of the country in question.