—6— 



the regular residents of the open prairies, such as the long- 

 billed curlew, western meadow lark, and species of similar 

 habits. 



Traversing the open prairie of the Flathead Eeservation are 

 several narrow, rapidly-coursing streams. These creeks are 

 generally fringed by a thin growth of shrubbery, with occas- 

 ional trees. At our camp on Crow Creek there were a few pines 

 of large dimensions, in striking contrast to the dwarf willows 

 and haw tree and other similar vegetation. Near the streams 

 the birds occur much more numerously than upon the barren 

 stretches at either side. There we found the catbird crooning 

 its lullaby to its helpless younglings in the bushes; the yellow 

 warbler and American redstart flitted among the foliage of the 

 smaller trees; the kingfisher plied his art beside the stream; 

 the song sparrow and the western yellow-throat frequented the 

 low coverts along the water's edge. One of the delights of our 

 stay at the Crow Creek camp was the wealth of avian melody 

 which flooded our ears in the early morning hours. It is doubt- 

 ful whether any other place could vie with this spot in the 

 number of bird musicians in so limited an area. 



The Biological Station of the Montana State University, 

 which served as the center of operations, is situated near the 

 mouth of Swan River, or Big Fork, as the stream is popularly 

 called by neighboring residents. To the west of the Station 

 building is the beautiful land-locked harbor, where the boats 

 are kept. At the right of the mouth of Swan River lies an 

 extensive low area, thickly set with tall, slender willows, sturdy 

 aspens, stately cottonwoods, pliant birches, and trees of similar 

 nature ,margined landward by remnants of the jDrimeval ever- 

 green forest. This swampy area is annually overflowed by the 

 rising waters of the lake, and throughout the summer patches 

 of stagnant water obstruct the passage of the adventurous col- 

 lector. Among the dense willoAvs the twilight gloom of the 

 forest ever prevails, yet such uninviting surroundings form 

 an ideal home for the vireos, American redstart, olive-backed and 

 willow thrushes, yellow warbler, and other denizens of the 

 wooded swamps. A generous portion of this region shows the 

 effect of the rancher's axe, in the extensive growth of bushes and 

 young evergreens that have quickly sprung up to hide the rava- 

 ges of the lumberman; here are seen and heard the beautiful ev- 

 ening and black-headed grosbeaks, the energetic Wright's and 

 Traill's flycatchers, the gamesome ruffed grouse, and numerous 

 frequenters of the bush. 



Up the river from the Station are bushy and wooded pas- 



