A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE BIRD LIFE OF 

 NORTH DAKOTA 



By Norman A. Wood 



The field studies upon which this paper is largely based were carried on 

 during the summers of 1920 and 1921, The investigation was made pos- 

 sible through the cooperation of the State Biological Station of the Univer- 

 sity of North Dakota and the Museum of Zoology of the University of 

 Michigan, It is a part of the program of a biological survey of the State 

 of North Dakota, as undertaken by the State Biological Station and carried 

 on under the direction of Crystal Thompson, Curator of the Station Museum,^ 

 Dr. R. T. Young, Director of the Station, has provided, through the Sta- 

 tion, most of the funds necessary to carry on the work and has rendered 

 every assistance in his power to make it a success. The Museum of Zoology 

 of the University of Michigan has contributed traveling expenses to and 

 from the field and the time of the investigator. 



In 1920 work was carried on from July 12 to August 25, chiefly in the 

 Devils-Stump Lake region, and a short trip was made to the Tuitle 

 Mountains. 



In 192 1 headquarters were made at the Station from May 2 until July 

 25. During this time several trips were made about the state. On June i 

 I went to Cando, in Towner County. From here, at the invitation of Mr. 

 Elmer T. Judd, an automobile trip was made across the county to the Can- 

 adian boundary and west into the Turtle Mountains, returning June 6 to 

 Cando for a few days. On June 13 I went to the Bad Land country by 

 way of Fargo and the Northern Pacific Railroad to Medora, Billings 'County. 

 A few days were spent atMedora and a^ week at the Peaceful Valley Ranch, 

 four miles north, owned by the Hon. Carl Olsen, who provided a trip 

 through the Petrified Forest. On June 24 I went to Mr. William Shunk's 

 ranch on the Sheyenne River near Anselm, Ransom County. A trip to 

 Williston, iWilliams County, was made on July 5, and on July 15 another 

 to Bottineau, Bottineau County. Here Mr. Alfred Eastgate, a noted guide 

 and ornithologist, drove me over the prairies and up into the western part 

 of the Turtle Mountains. July 21 to 30 was spent along the Red River at 

 Fargo, Grand Forks, and Grafton. The collections of the Agricultural Col- 

 lege, Fargo College, and the University were examined, and the large private 

 collection of Mr. William Williams and his son at Grafton. Some field work 

 was done at each of these places also. Travel of more than 2,000 miles, by 

 rail and automobile, within the state gave much insight into the character 



^ I wish also to acknowledg-e the critical work of Crystal Thompson, who revised 

 and edited this paper and to whom much credit is due for its systematic arrangement. 



