l;,21 BIRDS OF MONTANA 153 



Elight nests were found between Forts Union and Benton, June 19 to 22, 

 1860 (Cooper, 1869b, p. 295). Nests have been found frequently at Flathead 

 Lake, where fresh eggs were taken as late as June 30, 1900, and nests with youn^g 

 found as early as June 28 (Silloway, 1901a, p. 13). 



^ 297. Anthus rubescens (Tunstall) 



Pipit 



A summer resident of high mountains in the northwestern part of tlie state, 

 and perhaps of more southern ranges also. A very common migrant throughout 

 the state in open grass areas of the prairie region and in mountain valleys. In 

 the breeding season found only in the Alpine zone. Summer records are as 

 follows: Tw^o taken at Chief Mountain Lake, August 29, 1874 (Coues, 1874b, p. 

 558). Seen in snows at highest point of the Bridger Mountains (Grinnell, 1876, 

 p. 643). Occurs commonly in the Alpine zone in Glacier National Park, about 

 Sperry Glacier, Gunsight Pass, Blackfoot Glacier and other similar localities. 

 In migration there are numerous records from all parts of the state. 



This bird is common both in spring and fall migration, but perhaps more 

 abundant in fall. Dates of spring migration are as follows: Helena, April 9, 

 1911; Anaconda, April 15 to May 20, 1911; Bitterroot Valley. April 24 to May 

 15, 1912 (Bailey, MS). Dates of arrival in fall: Big Creek, Park County, Sep- 

 tember 16, 1908; Mill Creek, Deer Lodge County, September 14, 1909; Pioneer, 

 Powell County, September 11, 1910; Choteau, September 17, 1911. Dates of 

 departure : Fridley, Park County, October 20, 1908 ; Three Forks, October 17, 

 1909; Anaconda, October 23, 1910; Choteau, October 1, 1911. An earlier date 

 for fall arrival is Powder River, September 6, 1873 (Allen, 1874, p. 50). 



There are no records of the finding of the nest of this species in ^Montana. 



298. Anthus spragnei (Audubon) 



Sprague Pipit 



A locally common summer resident in parts of the prairie region. Appar- 

 ently most abundant just east of the easternmost mountain ranges in Teton, 

 Cascade, and Fergus counties. Not reported by any observers in Custer and 

 Dawson counties. Evidently prefers wet prairie lands, about the edges of alka- 

 line ponds, or in hollows where ponds exist for a part of the year only. Not 

 found in wet meadows where the grass is tall. Breeds mainly, and perhaps 

 entirely, in the Transition zone. Records are as follows: Yellowstone and Mus- 

 selshell rivers, rare on the Yellowstone, a nest with five eggs found (Allen, 

 1874, p. 50). Not found over most of the Missouri and Milk River regions, but 

 taken at the head of Milk River. August 13, 1874 (Coues. 1874b, p. 559). Seen 

 between Camps Lewis and Baker (Grinnell, 1876, p. 643). Great Falls, nesting 

 .iust outside the Belt Mountains (Williams, 1882a, p. 62). Rare in summer 

 (Silloway, 1903a, p. 66). Common summer resident in Teton and northern 

 Lewis and Clark counties (Saunders, 1914a, p. 142). 



Migration dates for this species are as follows: Great Falls, May 9, 1887, 

 .ind :\Iay 8, 1885 (Williams, 1888a, p. 15) ; Choteau, May 23, 1912. There are 



