1921 BIRDS OF MONTANA 155 



Although I rode through the last mentioned region a number of times in 1908 

 and 1909, I saw nothing of the Sage Thrasher there. Big Horn Mountains and 

 on the road to Fort Ellis (McChesney, 1879, p. 2384). Gallatin Valley, two 

 secured in 1888 (Richmond and Knowlton, 1894. p. .'307). Common at Port 

 Custer, 1904 (Mearns, 1904, p. 21). Sedan, Gallatin County, June 8, 1909 

 (Saunders, 1911a, p. 47). Silver Bow, May 21, 1910 (Saunders, 1912a, p. 31). 

 Southwestern Broadwater County, about five miles north of Three Forks, July 

 11, 1911 (Saunders, 191 2f, p. 217). Each of these last three records pertains to 

 a single male bird in song. The Silver Bow record is the only one west of tlie 

 divide. Seen rarely north of Forsythe (Thomas, MS). 



The nest has been reported once from the state. It was found at Fort Cus- 

 ter, July 2, 1885, when five eggs were collected by Bendire (Norris, 1888b, 

 p. 162). 



301. Dumetella carolinensis (Linnaeus) 



Catbird 



A common summer resident throughout the state. Breeds in the Upper 

 Sonoran and Transition zones, in thickets of wild rose, gooseberry, thorn and 

 other small shrubs. Reported by nearly all observers, and from all parts of the 

 state. 



The migrations take place in j\lay and September. Spring migration dates 

 are : Bozeman, ]\lay 27, 1909, and May 28, 1911 ; Choteau, IMay 23, 1912 ; Bitter- 

 root Valley, May 31, 1910, May 29, 1911, May 26, 1912, and May 24, 1913 (Bailey, 

 MS); Teton River, May 28, 1915 (DuBois, MS), Fall: Bozeman, September 

 13, 1908; Salesville, Gallatin County, September 5, 1910. 



The nest has been found in Montana quite frequently. Nesting takes place 

 m June and July. Nests were found between Forts Tnion and Benton about 

 July 20, 1860 (Cooper, 1869b, p. 295). Eggs were found on Big Muddy Creek, 

 June 22, 1874 (Coues, 1874b, p. 551). Several nests have been found at Flat- 

 head Lake, the earliest July 2. 1900 (Silloway, 1901a, p. 13), and the latest July 

 22, 1902 (Silloway, 1903b, \). 296), both containing eggs. 



302. Toxostoma rufum (Linnaeus) 



Brown Thrasher 

 A common summer resident of extreme eastern Montana, ranging westward 

 less commonly to the western limits of the prairie region. Not known in the 

 mountain valleys. All observers in the extreme eastern parts of the state report 

 this species as common. Its western limits are indicated by the following records : 

 Fergus County, rare, but connnon at Deerfield (Silloway, 1903a, p 67) ; Great 

 Falls, two, ]\Iay 9, 1887 (Williams, 1888a, p. 16) ; Collins, Teton County, one, 

 June 6, 1915, and three, June 4, 1916 (DuBois, MS). In the southern part of 

 the state it is common west to the Big Horn River (Mearns, 1904, p. 21), and 

 I have received second hand information of its occurrence at Billings (though 

 Mr. Thomas does not record it from this region), and even at Dillon, but the 

 source of this information was indefinite. 



