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1921 BIRDS OF MONTANA 87 



throughout the state, nearly all agreeing that it is eotnnion or abundant in the 

 proper localities. It is reported not common in the Bitterroot Valley, but com- 

 mon on the lower mountain slopes (Bailey, ^IS). T did not note it in Silver Bow 

 County, probably because the elevations are too high there for it, but it is com- 

 mon in the lower valleys of the surrounding counties, Jefferson and Deer Lodge 

 Cameron records it as rare in Custer and Dawson counties (1907, p. 392), but 

 Thorne states that it is common and breeds at Fort Keogh (1895, p. 215 j, and 

 the latter statement is corroborated by a series of specimens from IVIiles City, in- 

 cluding young of the year, taken by C. F. Hedges and in the collection of the 

 University of Montana. Further than this, the March, April and early May 

 dates given by Mr, Cameron for the occurrence of this species are so contrary to 

 the experience of other observers, that it is evident that he mistook some other 

 bird for this one, ^-od c ^^s rlooked the real Wood Pewee. 



This bird '* oi^e of the latest of common breeding species to arrive. At 

 Columbia Falls, five years give May 27 for an average, and May 20 (1897), for 

 the earliest date (Cooke, 1908, p. 170). Other dates of arrival are: East Galla- 

 tin River, June 10, 1909; Bozeman, May 29, 1911; Choteau, June 6, 1912; Miles 

 City, May 28, 1902 (Hedges) ; Bitterroot Valley, May 21, 1910, 'Slay 80, 1911, 

 May 22, 1912, and June 1, 1913 (Bailey, MS). Fall dates are: Columbia Falls, 

 September 9, 1895 (Cooke, 1908, p. 170) ; Bozeman, September 4, 1908, and Sep- 

 tember 5, 1910; Missoula, September 10 (Kittredge, MS). 



This species probably nests commonly enough, but notes on the nesting are 

 rare. A set of four eggs, advanced in incubation, was taken at Flathead Lake, 

 Julyi 8, 1902 (Silloway, 1903b, p. 297). I have seen nests of this species in late 

 June or July both at Bozeman and Choteau, but not having determined whether 

 they contained eggs or young, have not recorded the exact dates. 



175. Empidonax difficilis difficilis Baird 



Western Flycatcher 

 A very rare summer resident, known only by a few records from the western 

 half of the state. Evidently nests in the lower parts of the mountains. Found 

 nesting in the Belt River Canyon, Cascade County, by R. S. Williams,, and a set 

 of eggs taken July 6, 1889 (Bendire, 1895, p. 299). On page 301 of this same 

 publication a nest is mentioned from the same locality on July 6, 1891, perhaps 

 two different nests, or possibly the same with a mistake in the date of one. Two 

 of these birds were seen at Lake Como, Ravalli County, August 2. 1911 (Bailey, 

 MS). The species has been seen at Gunsight and at Lake MacDonald in Glacier 

 Park (P. M. Bailey, 1918, p. 59). I am quite certain that 1 saw it once on Wolf 

 Creek, Lewis and Clark County, July 14, 1911. The records from Terry (Cooke, 

 1908, p. 77) are evidently errors. Cameron, who made the observations, records 

 these dates for E. trailli, and does not list the present species at all in his Custer 

 and Dawson counties list (1907, p. 392). ^Ir. Oberholser has written me re- 

 cently that he believes this an error, due to recording species by check-list number 

 only. It is therefor evident that the Western Flycatcher has not been found in 

 the eastern part of the state. 



