1921 



BIRDS OF MONTANA 



75 



Birds of this species were found hollowing out a nest in Gallatin County in 

 June, 1909 (Saunders, 1911a, p. 37), but this nest was deserted before any eggs 

 were laid. There are no other records of the finding of the nest of this species 

 in the state. 



153. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis Baird 



Red-naped Sapsucker 



A regular summer resident of the lower mountain sloi)es and foothills 

 throughout the western half of the state, and eastward to the easternmost ranges. 

 The easternmost records are JMussellshell River (Allen, 1874, p. 63), and Big 

 Horn ^Mountains and Little Big Horn River (Merrill, 1881, pp. 206-207). Occurs 

 in rather small numbers, but is widely distributed and not rare. There are few 



Fig. 15. Red-xapp:d Sapsuckers at nest-hole; male at left, female at 

 BIGHT. Near Homestake, Jefferson County; June 21, 1910. This 

 nest is in a dead fir; the species most commonly nests in live 

 aspens. 



dates to indicate the season of its migration. The earliest date of arrival at 

 ^lissoula is April 18 (Kittredge, MS). The earliest date among my own records 

 is Sedan, Gallatin County, May 20, 1909. The only fall date I have obtained is 

 Kalispell, October 1, 1917 (Sloanaker, MS). 



This species nests in June and July. Dr. Merrill found a nest on the Little 

 Big Horn River in June, 1880, containing five eggs. Silloway secured six fresh 

 eggs at Lewistown on June 7, 1904 (1904b, p. 149), and found birds feeding 

 young at Flathead Lake, June 26, 1900 (1901a, p. 29). The aest and young 

 were found in Gallatin County in July, 1909 (Saunders, 1911a, p. 37), and a 

 nest probably containing eggs, in Jefferson County in late June, 1910 (Saunders, 

 1912a, p. 24). (See fig. 15.) A nest containing young was found at Belton, 

 July 3, 1915 (DuBois, MS). 



