1921 BIRDS OF MONTANA 29 



in ^[arch and April, and near Custer May 25, 1917, where it possil)ly breeds on 

 islands. Nest with two eggs found at Big Lake, Stillwater County, June 6, 1918 

 (Thomas, MS). Nests commonly on more remote lakes, in Glacier Park (F. M. 

 Bailey, 1918, p. 52). Seen at Helena April 9, 1911. 



7. Gavia stellata (Pontoppidan) 



Red-throated Loon 

 One taken at Mud Lake, Flathead County, July 15, 1901 (Silloway, 1901a, 

 p. 38). The specimen is in the collection of the University of Montana. Occurs 

 on the Yellowstone, near Billings in migrations and winter (Thomas, MS). 



8. Larus occidentalis Audubon 



Western Gull 

 One, in juvenal plumage, taken at Flathead Lake, August 29, 1900 (Sillo- 

 way, 1901a, p. 38). The identification of this specimen was later questioned by 

 Mr. Silloway. I have examined the bird and believe that it is properly identified. 

 It is in the collection of the TTniversity of Montana. 



9. Larus arg-entatus Pontoppidan 



Herring Gull 

 A migrant in the eastern part of the state, breeding rarely. Common on 

 the Missouri in fall (Silloway, 1903a, p. 11). Taken at Fort Benton by J. H. 

 Beatty, September 8, 187-4 (Coues, 1874b, p. 655). Common on the Yellowstone 

 in fall in Custer and Dawson counties (Cameron, 1907, p. 247). Twenty on the 

 Yellowstone at Billings, May 4, 1917. A nest with five eggs taken at Big Lake, 

 June 4, 1918 (Thomas, MS). 



10. Larus califomicus Lawrence 



Calipornlv Gull 

 One seen in September, 1888, on the Jefferson River, Gallatin County 

 (Richmond and KnoMdton, 1894, p. 301). I secured a young bird at Flathead 

 Lake, July 2, 1914. The bird was one in partly mature plumage, and I supposed 

 it delaivarensis. Mr. Sloanaker examined it later, and wrote me that he l)elieved 

 it to be califomicus. Later, at my request, he sent it to Dr. Grinnell, at the 

 Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, who confirmed his identification. Mr. Sloanaker 

 writes me that mounted birds in Kalispell are undoubtedly this species, and that 

 he l)elieved it more eonnnon at Flathead Lake than delairarensis. 



11. Larus delaw^arensis Ord 



Ring-billed Gull 



A summer resident locally, mainly in the northern part of the state, and a 

 migrant elsewhere, wherever there are streams and lakes. This is the common- 

 est and most widely distributed gull in the state. 



Breeding records : A colony found breeding on an island in Lake Bowdoin, 

 near Malta, June 4, 1903 (Willett, 1907, p. 106). Young unable to fly seen 

 near Strater, July 18, 1910 by Anthony (Cooke, 1915a, p. 34). About ten pairs 



