110 



BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA. 



the pileated woodpecker was heard in the distance; for this shy and 

 handsome bird, the largest of our woodpeckers, is still not uncommon 

 in the woods of Montana. I could not mention all the birds seen and 

 heard. One hundred and forty species have been found in this vicin- 

 ity. On that day the woods were alive with birds, sweet with their 

 melody and with the odor of flowers. It was a walk of solitude, but I was 

 by no means alone. 



In a thick cluster of service berry my dog flushed a ruffed grouse with 

 young. The little fellows could fly a little, and would rise into the top of 

 a little birch or alder and pipe their alarm in great consternation. Their 



Fig. 85. Where Leto abounds, near the University of Montana Biological 

 Station, upper end of Flathead Lake. 



somber coats blended beautifully with the surroundings. If one saw a 

 bird alight it was plainly visible. But when once the eye was turned 

 elsewhere and returned to the spot the motionless bird blended with the 

 light and shadow of the forest and with the bark of the trees. Had 

 the little fellows remained quiet they might have passed unnoticed. 

 They will learn, if some pot hunter does not kill them too early. The 

 mother flutters around and makes a great fuss, while the young are 

 scurrying away to places of safety. 



Scarcely had I left the laboratory when a beautiful Eurymus was seen 

 flying over the bushes by the river bank at the entrance to the forest. 

 Occasionally the delicate butterfly was seen, and I longed to have it. 



