1921 



BIRDS OF MONTANA 



23 



dense undergrowth of slirubs, such as alder, wild eurrant and mounlain l)ufi'alo- 

 l)erry {SIk p/ierdia caitadrnsis) . These differences make different associations 

 as far as some forms of life are concerned, but they seem to have little influence 

 on the distribution of tui'd life, in fact this association has comparatively little 

 bird life. It is important because it covers large areas, particularly in the soutli- 

 western part of the state, but most of its birds are very few in number, and 

 found mainly about the edges of small open grass areas or "parks'". There; 

 appear to be no characteristic species, all birds found in it being also found in 

 other coniferous associations. The species most commonly found in it are the 

 Hairy Woodpecker, Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker, Pine Siskin, Pink-sided and 



Fig. 7. A LOlXiEPOLR PINE FOREST OX DIVIDE 



Creek, Silver Bow County; May, 1910. 

 Canadian zone. 



Montana juncos. Chipping Sparrow, Audubon Warbler, and liol)in. The Rocky 

 JMountain Jay is also seen most commonly in this association in summer, but 1 

 am not certain that it breeds there. 



The white-bark pine association is found entirely in the Iludsonian zone. It 

 consists of rather open groves of this tree, with a few other species, such as spruce 

 and alpine fir. In many places, particularly in the southern part of the state. 

 liml)er pine occurs with this species, and then it is exceedingly difficult to sejia- 

 rate the two. This association has but one characteristic bird, the Pine Gros- 

 beak. The Clark Nutcracker is more abundant in it than elsewhere, however. 

 Other species that breed in it are the juncos, Cassin Purple Finch, Audubon 



