46 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 14 



A set of four eggs taken at Big Lake, JStilhvater County, June 22, 1918, and 

 two other sets found earlier in the season (Thomas, MS). 



Migrant records: Custer and Dawson counties, earliest May 21, 1889 (Cam- 

 eron, 1907, p. 252) ; Fort Custer (McChesney, 1879, p. 2393; Fort Keogh, ]\Iay 

 and June (Thorne, 1895, p. 213) ; Teton County May 23, 1912 (Saunders, 1914a, 

 p. 130). Fall migration takes place very early, evidently in July. The latest 

 dates that I have seen birds on the breeding grounds are July 3, 1911, and July 

 7, 1912, both times in Teton County. Other July dates from the state are Hele- 

 na, July 12, 1911, and Milk River, July 21, 1874 (Coues, 1874b, p. 637). There 

 are no records later than July reported anywhere in the state. 



66. Recurvirostra americana Gmelin 



AVOCET 



A summer resident in suitable localities, mainly along tlie northern l)order 

 of the state, and a migrant elsewhere. Migration dates in most parts of the 

 state are in fall. Spring dates are either in the extreme eastern part or on the 

 breeding grounds. Breeding records: Milk River (Coues, 1874b, pp. 635-636) ; 

 Lake Bowdoin (Willett, 1907, p. 105) ; Teton and northern Lewis and Clark 

 counties (Saunders, 1914a, p. 130) ; and Lake Basin near Billings (Thomas, ]\rS). 



Nearly all observers mention the occurrence of this bird in migration from 

 all parts of the state. It is apparently more abundant east of the continental 

 divide, however, and has not been recorded from the Bitterroot Valley. The 

 species has been reported during the spring migrations in Custer and Dawson 

 counties, and at Great Falls; in spring and fall in Fergus County; and in fall 

 only in all other localities, including points as far east as Fort Custer and the 

 Musselshell River. Migration dates are as follows: Spring: Average arrival 

 at Great Falls, April 24 (Cooke, 1910a, pp. 19-20) ; Terry, May 1, 1904, May 7, 

 1905, and May 16, 1906 (Cameron, 1907, p. 253) ; Fergus County, arrives end oC 

 April (Silloway, 1903a, p. 17). Fall: Flathead Lake, August 11, 1903 (Sillo- 

 way, 1903b, pp. 301-302) ; between Yellowstone and Musselshell, August 18, 1873 

 (Allen, 1874, p. 66) ; Milk River, August 22, 1874 (Coues, 1874b, 'pp. 635-636) ; 

 Fort Custer, August 8 and 13, 1878 (McChesney, 1879, p. 2393) ; Fort Ellis, 

 August 17, 1909; Lewistown, August 23, 1901 (Silloway 1903a, p. 17); Teton 

 County, September 1, 1911 (Saunders, 1914a, p. 130). 



67. Philohela minor (Gmelin) 



Woodcock 

 I'liree bii-ds were found and all throe secured at Billings, October 23, 1917 

 (Thomas, xMS). The birds are now mounted and in the possession of Mr. Thomas. 



68. Gallinago delicata (Ord) 



Wilson Snh'e 



A permanent resident throughout the state. Whil" the iii(livi(hials pr()bal)ly 



migrate, this bird is reported both in winter and sununer from localities all over 



Montana; in most places it is just as common in wintei" as in summer. It is 



always more ahiuidant in iiiigi'ations tlian at othci- tiiius. and in most localities 



