-48- 



Common at Flathead Lake, especially near the mouth of 

 Pend d' Orielle River, Swan River, and Flathead River. A 

 family had possession of a large nest at the top of a tall, 

 naked stub near the river on the Helena Club grounds, (see 

 Plate VIIL), and two specimens wore taken from this family 

 during our stay in August. The osprey was also found verj 

 commonly on Swan Lake, where we spent two days near the 

 foot, August 20 and 21. 



366. AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL, Asio wilsonianus 



(Less.) 



The long-eared owl, being more generally nocturnal in its 

 habits than the other owls, is less frequently noted than others. 

 Only one specimen was observed, which was in the dark swamp- 

 woods of the Jocko River at Selish. 



373 e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCREECH OWL, Megascops 

 asio maxwelliae (Ridgw.) 



A specimen of this screech owl was taken on Post Creek, 

 where it was shot from our camp as it was perched in a dead 

 tree beside the creek, having begun its nocturnal foraging soon 

 after dusk. 



375 a. WESTERN HORNED OWL, Buho virginianus suh- 

 articus (Hoy.) 



This form of the great horned owl apears to be common in 

 the parts of the Flathead region included in our itinerary. 

 The dense woodland are peculiarly adapted to this powerful 

 nocturnal marauder. It manifests its presence more particu- 

 larly in the fall and winter months, when many specimens are 

 captured by the ranchers. Tlie only individual of this species 

 we saw at McDonald Lake was taking an evening outing along 

 the low shore near the outlet, resting occasionally on the sum- 

 mit of some tall stub ere continuing his perambulations. 



The western horned owl was reported as common along Crow 

 Creek, though we did not take any specimens. The abundance 

 of food would imply its presence. For some reason the Raptores, 

 which we expected to find at this station, seemed less common 

 than usual. 



