BIOLOGICAL, RECONNOISSANCE AT FLATHEAD LAKE. 145- 



testes disjuncta; in smaller numbers than preceding, emerging at 

 the same time. 



Enallagma calverti Morse; on the wing early in July; the most abund- 

 ant of dragonflies at the pond. 



Enallagma praevarum Hag.; a few specimens captured. 



Sympetrum scotica Donov.; rather abundant in 1899. Scarce in 1901. 



Sympetrum obtrusa, var. assimilata Uhler; perhaps the most abund- 

 ant dragonfly in Western Montana. 



Ischnura is not uncommon in the vegetation near the water's edge. 



The above list is not large, but is about as many as one usually finds 

 in any one locality in the state. 



Other material to be found in the pond in abundance may be men- 

 tioned; many beetles, dipterous larvae, two leeches, several case worms, 

 many water bugs and worms. 



The vicinity of this pond is a great breeding place for birds. It is 

 here that the ornithologist may do some good work. To give a list of 

 those choosing this for a nesting place is unnecessary repetition, as this 

 has been given elsewhere. No fewer than forty-five to fifty migrants 

 build their nests and rear their young within a hundred yards of the 

 water's edge. For so small a pond this is certainly a remarkable show- 

 ing. On all sides the timber has been destroyed by fire. Thus most of 

 the shelter formerly afforded has been removed. The nesting sites are 

 confind to the low bushes along the water's edge, to those which have 

 sprung up on the burnt area, to the dead boles left by the fire, and to the 

 grass and reeds of the pond. Rails are heard daily as they move around 

 among the weeds. Golden-eyes and grebes usually rear their young in 

 the grass. Catbirds, western yellow-throats, flycatchers, chackadees, 

 sparrows, juncos and woodpeckers all are found. The tree dwelling 

 warblers find a few trees near by. Kingbirds may always be noticed, 

 noisily chattering as they leave their perches in pursuit of insects. In 

 this open country the ornithologists of the shotgun or of the opera glass 

 may alike find suitable field for work. It is but fair to our workers to say 

 that very few birds have been killed around this pond. 



Frogs, garter snakes, a single species of turtle, and an occasional 

 muskrat, may be found on the banks or in the water. The white tailed 

 deer has often been seen close to the pond, and annually black bears are 

 known to frequent the bushes adjacent in search of berries. Not only 

 is there an excellent field near this pond for study and for gathering ma- 

 terial, but the study is frequently intensified by the sudden appearance 

 of a frightened aeer or the hasty and noisy departure of a black bear as 

 the collector wanders over the hills. 



No attempt will here be made to give the names of species of plants. 



The vegetation is abundant, and offers splendid opportunity for study-- 

 ing plant communities. 



A short distance below Daphnia pond, along the wagon road, is a 

 second glacial pond, named Estey pond. This is larger than Daphnia, 

 deeper, and like Daphnia teems with life. It has no outlet, and like 

 Echo lake suddenly rose in height a few years ago, remaining to the 

 present at the higher level. 



