Larson, on Birds of South Dakota. 113 



the circumstances for such a study as favorable as possible. 

 It was several times remarked that the engines seemed to be 

 in such delicate health that only the pure water — that con- 

 tained in tanks far removed from towns and cities — would 

 suit ! If the steam could be shut off when the train stops the 

 bird-man would be happy. 



A. PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE BIRDS OF WEST- 

 ERN LYMAN COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA. 



BY ADRIAN LARSON. 



The following list is compiled from observations made 

 along the White Clay Creek valley in western Lyman county, 

 S. D., from Sept.. 13, 1906, to April 25, 1907. 



Lyman county lies in the Great Plains Region at an eleva- 

 tion of about 2,000 feet. Its topography is similar to other 

 regions in the Great Plains country, being mostly level 

 tion of about 2,000 feet. Its topography is similar to other 

 regions in the Great Plains county, being mostly level 

 prairie, with occasional hills or buttes rising above the prairie. 



There are numerous dry creeks, which run only in the 

 spring or after very heavy rains ; they are mostly dry at other 

 times. 



The hills and prairies are, for the greater part, covered with 

 range grass, while the creeks are fringed with such trees as 

 ash, box-elder, cottonwood, elm, willow, and rarely a red 

 cedar, with much buffalo-berry, hazel, and plum brush. 



There are numerous marshes on the prairies which are 

 well filled with water in the spring, but dry up towards 

 summer : 



1. Larus-species? A flock of eleven seen April 24. They may 

 have been the Franklin Gull. 



2. Anas J)oschas. — Mallard. Common migrant. 



3. Nettion carol'mensis. — Green-winged Teal. Common migrant. 



4. Qucrquedula discors. — Bine-winged Teal. Common migrant. 



5. Spatula chjpeata. — Shoveller. Common migrant. 

 G. Daflla acuta. — Pintail. Common migrant. 



