1921 BIRDS OF MONTANA 41 



In early records the bird was reported breeding on tlie ^lissouri (Cones, 

 1874b, p. 649; Cooper, 1869a, p. 83; Grinnell, 1876, p. 654), and on the Yellow- 

 stone and IMussellshell rivers (Allen, 1874, p. 67). In these early reports, and 

 also in some of the recent ones, the birds are reported to nest in trees, in old 

 nests of hawks and ospreys (^Merrill, 1883, pp. 124-125). Where breeding on 

 islands, however, they frequently also nest on the ground. 



Migration records are numerous and practically throughout the state. Dates 

 of migration are as follows: Average arrival in Custer and Dawson counties, 

 March 27 (Cameron, 1907, pp. 250-251) ; Terry, average of ten years, March 27 

 (earliest February 28, 1892, latest April 4, 1897) ; Columbia Falls, average of 

 five years, March 24 (earliest, March 17, 1895) ; Great Falls, average of three 

 years, March 12 (earliest, March 10, 1889). Fall migration: Columbia Falls, 

 average of four years, November 20 (latest, November 24, 1895) (Cooke, 1906a, 

 pp. 74-77). Norton Gulch, Silver Bow County, March 23, 1910. Teton County, 

 November 24-28, 1912 (Saunders, 1914a, p. 129). Bitterroot Valley, April 17-20, 

 1911; April 13-14, 1912 (Bailey, MS). 



51. Branta canadensis hutchinsi (Richardson) 



HuTCHiNS Goose 

 A migrant, reported from but two localities: Terry, October 4, 1903 (Cam- 

 eron, 1907, p. 251), and September 22, 1904 (Cooke, 1906a, p. 78) ; and Big 

 Horn River, three secured from a large flock in November, 1917 (Thomas, IMS). 



52. Olor columbianus (Ord) 



Whistling Swan 

 A migrant, probably in most parts of the state, though difficulty in dis- 

 tinguishing this species from the next, makes it hard to say -just how abundant 

 the bird is. It has been recorded certainly from Custer and Dawson counties 

 (Cameron, 1907, p. 250), the High wood Lakes (Felton), Teton County (Saun- 

 ders, 1914a, p. 129), and Gallatin County (Saunders, 1911a, p. 33). A large flock 

 was reported from Madison Lake in September, 1917 (Thomas, MS). Migrant 

 swans that probably belong to this species are also recorded from Jefferson and 

 Deer Lodge counties (Saunders, 1912a, p. 24). In the Bitterroot Valley a swan is 

 reported as a rare migrant, but the species is in question. The birds occurred 

 April 11-15, 1910, and April 17-20, 1911 (Bailey, MS). Other migration data 

 that are probably mainly for this species are Teton County, April 23, 1912, 

 October 31, 1911, and November 9-28, 1912. 



53. Olor buccinator (Richardson) 



Trumpeter Swan 

 Formerly a summer resident in suitable localities throughout the state. Now 

 still found in some numbers in migration, and perhaps even conuuoner at that 

 season than the above species. The species possibly breeds in the more remote 

 parts of the state, but recent data concerning the breeding are from unsatisfac- 

 tory sources, and attempts to locate breeding areas have been unsuccessful. The 

 most recent breeding records are as follows: Highland Lakes (Silloway, 1903a, 



