\ 



104 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 14 



coiniiion in the western half of the state is along the Missouri ixivei- iu Broad- 

 water County. It is extremely rare in the Gallatin Valley, and rare in Teton 

 County. Tt is reported to be fairly common in the Bitterroot Valley (Bailey, 

 MS) and about Poison (Silloway, 1901a, p. 59). 



The migrations take place late in May and in August. iMay 20 is the aver- 

 age date in Custer County (Cameron, 1907, p. 400). Other dates are: Choteau, 

 May 25, 1912 (Saunders, 1914a, p. 136), and Bitterroot Valley, May 27, 1910. 

 May 11, 1911, May 17, 1912, and May 13, 1913 (Bailey, MS). The only August 

 dates I can find on record are August 13, 1900, between Billings and Miles 

 City (Jones and Dawson, 1900, p. 32), and as below. 



In Custer County eggs may be found by June 15 (Cameron, 1907, p. 400). 

 Bii'ds were observed feeding young at Poison, August 12, 1916 (Sloanaker, ]\IS). 

 In regions where it is common, nests are consi)icuous objects in the eottonwoods 

 during the winter. 



200. Euphagus carolinus (.Miiller) 



Rusty Blackbird 

 A rare migrant in eastern Montana. One, killed by a Sharp-shinned Hawk, 

 found April 26, 1903, in Custer County, and seven or eight others seen in the 

 same locality the same day (Cameron, 1907, p. 400). Eight birds w^ere shot at 

 Miles City, October 7, 1919, by C. F. Hedges. Five skins were saved. 



201. Euphagus cyanocephalus (Wagler) 



Brewer Blackbird 



An abundant summer resident of the prairies and valleys throughout the 

 state. All observers record this species, which is one of the most abundant and 

 conspicuous birds. It breeds in the Transition zone, in thickets of willow, wild- 

 rose, cinquefoil, and similai- small bushes, the birds being seen most commonly 

 feeding in open grass country. It winters occasionally in Custer County (Cam- 

 eron, 1907, p. 400), and a flock, mixed with Red-wings, is reported from iiilliugs 

 in January. 1919 (Thomas, MS). 



Arrives in spring in late April or early i\Iay, and leaves in fall in October. 

 Dates are as follows: Great Falls, :\Iay 9, 1887 (Williaujs, 1888a. p. 15) ; Fergus 

 County, April 29, 1899, April 23, 1900. April 27. 1901, April 28, 1902 (Sillo- 

 way, 1903a, p. 47) J Bozeman, :May 2. 1909; Silver Bow. April 24. 1910; Stuart. 

 Silver Bow County. April 16, 1911; Choteau, IMay 8. 1912; Bitterroot Valley, 

 May 1. 1910, April 25. 1911, May 6, 1912, :\Iay 8, 1913 (Bailey, MS). Fall dates 

 are less abundant: Custer County. October 6. 1898 (Cameron. 1907, p. 400); 

 Tom Minor Basin. Park County, October 20, 1908: Anaconda. October 11, 1910, 

 and Choteau, September 18, 1911. 



Nesting takes ])bi('(' iu late May and .Iiinc. and tli'Tc appears to he but ()n(> 

 brood a year. Tlie hii-ds breed largely in colonies, and they arc FriMjucnt vic- 

 liiiis of tile Cowbii'd. The earliest indication of nesting of whicli 1 have i-ecord 

 is a bird seen with nest matei'ial in her bill. May 15. 1!)12. at Choteau. The first 

 nest was found half ('oin|)le1e on .May 16, 1!)12. the first egg \v;.s laid Ihereiu 



