294 BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA. 



becomes a meadow covered with a rank growth of coarse grass. The 

 western side of the lake is bounded by gradual slopes of the dwindling 

 Mission mountains, presenting vast areas of evergreen forest, part of 

 which is in the domain of the Lewis and Clarke forest reserve. On the 

 eastern side of the lake are the rugged, fire-swept, or rocky heights of the 

 Swan range, rising quite abruptly from the water's edge. 



The swampy area at the head of Swan lake was the scene of most of 

 our activities during the first three weeks of June. At that time it was 

 covered with dead water from two to four feet in depth most of the new 

 growth not having yet appeared above the water. Here and there were 

 patches of old reeds, browned and tangled, with a few green reeds strug- 

 gling toward the light. In this swamp we found holboell's grebe in a 

 small colony. American golden-eyes were leading forth their broods for 

 their first practice on the water; a few yellow-headed blackbirds were 

 hoarsely piping in the reeds. Overhead a pair of bald-headed eagles, 

 the male a magnificent specimen with regal white head and snowy tail, 

 soared or flapped lazily from range to range, seeming not to care to molest 

 the industrious ospreys that used this most convenient fishing-ground. 

 Now and then a sora could be startled from its haunts in the reeds, or a 

 marsh wren would amuse us with its squeaky songs. Mallards were regu- 

 larly feeding in the grass; while occasionally the booming of the Ameri- 

 can bittern announced its presence in the bog. 



The forested margin of the lake was populous with birds. In the 

 tv/ilight depths the varied thrush flitted here and there; frequently a 

 black-headed jay uttered his harsh warning, and watched the observer 

 from a treetop. Pheasants, the gray ruffed grouse, were nesting com- 

 monly in the neighborhood. About our cabin Cassin's purple finch was a 

 regular visitor. Indeed, it is certain that no other portion of the Flat- 

 head lake region is tenanted by a greater number of species than the 

 swampy area and the immediate neighborhood of Swan lake, and to make 

 special mention of any inhabitants of the locality would serve only to 

 mislead the reader regarding the occurrence of others. 



