302 BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA. 



capture it. However, there can be no doubt regarding the indentifica- 

 tion, as the species is well-known to me from previous observation. 



357. Piegon Hawk, Faico columbarius Linn. 



A fine specimen of pegion hawk was taken on the Station grounds on 

 July 19. It flew into one of the trees soon after sunset, moving 

 restlessly from one tree to another until my attention was directed to it. 

 My first impression was that it was a sparrow hawk, but thinking best 

 to secure it, I caught it by a lucky shot as it was leaving the grounds. It 

 presented the following measurements: length, 11.15 inches; wing, 7.80 

 inches; tarsur, 1.30 inches; culmen to cere, .50 inch; tail, 5 inches; middle 

 toe to claw, 1.15 inches; extent of wings, 23 inches. Iris, brown; cere, 

 tarsi, and feet, yellow; mandible, greenish-yellow basally, bluish horn at 

 tip. The specimen proved to be a male, and was in .splendid plumage in 

 almost perfect coloration. 



358. Richardson's Merlin, FaIco richardsonii Ridg. 



A male of this species was taken at the head of Swan lake on July 26. 

 It was apparently a young of the year, as the rusty markings predominated 

 in its plumage. The specimen presented the following approximate 

 measurements: length, 12.50 inches; wing, 8.60 inches; tail, 5.75 inches; 

 tarsi, 1.35 inches; culmen to cere, .55 inches; middle toe to claw, 1.32 

 inches. 



379. Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium gnoma Wagl. 



This interesting little owl occurs regularly throughout the wooded 

 parts of the Flathead lake region, but it eluded our notice until 1902. Dur- 

 ing the protracted rains of the first week of July, we were kept generally 

 indoors, but in an afternoon walk between showers, Mr. Ricker saw a 

 specimen of this owl near the Station and described it very accurately to 

 me. It was not until July 17, that it chanced under my observation, when 

 three specimens were taken from a family which was taking an after- 

 noon outing along the road through the woods south of the bridge at Big- 

 fork. One of the owls was sitting in a small tamarack beside the road, 

 almost within reach of passing teamsters. When it was shot, the others 

 flew from perches nearby, and alighted in the largest trees not far away. 

 They perched in each instance on horizontal branches close to the main 

 trunk. When flushed, they uttered a faint shrill whistling call. One 

 of the family, the female in charge of the youngsters, uttered a low cooing 

 whistle, in low pitch. 



It was reported to me that specimens of tne pygmy owl were at Kalis- 

 pell. Mr. Ernest Bond also told me that this owl was frequently taken 

 at the head of Swan lake. (It is also found at Missoula. M. J. E.) 



497. Yellow-headed Blackbird. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. 



This species was found sparingly in the swamp at the head of Swan 

 lake, the first being noted June 7, when both males and females were seen. 

 Thereafter specimens were seen every day that we visited the swamp, 

 until June 21, during which time the males were in song. As far as I 

 could observe, there were no nests in the swamp. No specimens were 

 taken, as I did not wish to interfere with the nesting of this species by 

 sacrificing the lives of any of the colony. 



