1921 BIRDS OF MONTANA 33 



most common. Young liave been noted, but there is no record that tlie nest has 

 ever been found. 



Records: Upper Missouri and Milk rivers (Coues, 1874a, p. 585). Mis- 

 souri River (Grinnell, 1876, p. 655). Dawson County (Cameron, 1907, p. 248). 

 Fort Keogh (Thorne, 1895, p. 212). Flathead Lake (Sillovvay, 1901a, p. 38). 

 Fergus County in migration (Silloway, 1903a, p. 12). Gallatin County (Saun- 

 ders, 1911a, p. 32). A female and young bird were seen on the Upper Two Medi- 

 cine Lake, Glacier National Park, August 5, 1914. 



The only dates that indicate the time of migration are the following : Yel- 

 lowstone River, May 7, 1905 (Cameron, 1907, p. 248), and Corvallis, September 

 2, 1911, one shot (Bailey, MS). 



25. Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus 



Mallard 



Alumdant tliroughout the state. The most abundant and widely distributed 

 duck in Montana. Breeds commonly in most jiarts of the state ])ut reported as 

 becoming rare as a breeder in Custer and Dawson counties (Cameron, 1907, p. 

 248). Abundant in migration everywhere. Winters commonly in mountain 

 valleys throughout the w^estern half of the state, the easternmost point where it 

 is reported to winter being Fergus County (Silloway, 19()3a, p. 12). 



Migration dates in the western half of the state are difficult to obtain witli 

 accuracy because so many birds winter, but the height of the migrations is 

 evidently in April and October. For the eastern half the only date obtainable 

 is the average arrival at Terry, which is March 26 (Cooke, 1906a, p. 23). 



^[allards begin nesting in April, and the young may be found commonly in 

 June. At Great Falls the latest date for fresh eggs is given as jMay 24 (Williams, 

 1888a, p. 17), but there is a much, later date from Malta, June 28, 1903 (Wil- 

 lett, 1907, p. 105). 



26. Chaulelasmus streperus (Linnaeus) 



Gadwall 



Prol)al)ly occurs throughout the state as a migrant but not as yet reported 

 from the soutliwestern portion. Breeds in the northern half of the state, east 

 of the continental divide, and is reported as occurring in summer in the Bitter- 

 root Valley (Bailey, MS). Breeds in the Milk River region (Coues, 1874b, ix 

 650), and in Teton County, where downy young may be seen in June and July 

 (Saunders, 1914a, p. 128). This species has also been found with downy young 

 in Glacier National Park (F. M. Bailey, 1918, p. 53). 



Reported as a migrant only in Custer and Dawson counties (Cameron, 1907, 

 p. 248), and Fergus County (Silloway, 1903a, p. 12) and at Fort Keogh (Thorne, 

 1895, p. 212). Reported in September "on the road to Ft. Ellis" (McChesney, 

 1879, p. 2394). In the Bitterroot Valley it is fairly common in spring and sum- 

 mer and abundant in fall (Bailey, MS). A fairly common migrant in Yellow- 

 stone and Stillw'ater counties (Thomas, MS). 



Migration dates: Terry, about April 1 (Cooke, 1906a, p. 27). Dawson 

 Count}', April 7, 1890 (Cameron, 1907, p. 248). Corvallis, April 5, 1913 (Bailey, 

 irS.), and Choteau April 17, 1912 (Saanders, 1914a, p. 128). 



