Bird Life of Norxh Dakota 37 



p. 985; one small flock met with in July, 1879, near Pembina. CouES, 1897, p. 156; 

 August 23,, 1843; Audubon says near mouth of Little Missouri they were passed by 

 passenger pigeons. Thwaites, 1906, p. 32; on July 10, 1833, Maximilian records see- 

 ing many wild pigeons near Fort Union. Jcdd, 1917, p. 29; J. F. Rickbell, of Cavalier, 

 Pembina County, saw a number of flocks of fifty to a hundred in! 1880 and 1881, and 

 shot several. 



109. Zenaidiira niacroura carolinensis (Linnaeus). Mourning Dove. 



CouES. 1878, p. 628; common at Pembina in June, 1873. Hoffman, 1882, pp. 402- 

 403; several specimens observed only during the first half of September. Thwaites, 

 1905, p. 385; at Fort Union, Maximilian records seeing Caroline doves in July. 

 JuDD, 1917, p. IS; tolerably common summer resident; nests on the prairies and in 

 the Turtle Mountains. 



This was found to be a very common species throughout the state. It is 

 one of the most beneficial birds, for it feeds largely on seeds of injurious 

 M^eeds. 



no. Cathartes aura septcntrionalis Wied. Turkey Vulture. 



CouES, 1878, p. 627; frequently seen in the Red River region. Hoffman, 1882, 

 p. 402; apparently not rare at Fort Berthold, McLean County. S. C- C, 1887, p. 414; 

 seen occasionally near Bismarck. Thwaites, 1905, p. 337; on June 13, 1833, Maxi- 

 milian saw a high tree entirely covered with turkey buzzards, in Emmons County 

 along the Missouri River. Judd, 1917. P- I7; straggler in prairie region, tolerably 

 common around Devils Lake. BailEY, 1920, p. 69; three turkey vultures seen at 

 Sweetwater Lake. 



The Williams Collection contains a specimen taken at Ardoch, Walsh 

 County, October 4, 1914, by Mr. Williams. He has other records for Graf- 

 ton of April 20, 1902, and May 22, 1921. Mr. Russell Reid informs me 

 that it is not common at Bismarck; a specimen was taken there July 19, 1921. 



A specimen was seen near Devils Lake on May 9, 192 1, and another on 

 May 18. 



111. Catharista nrnbn (Vieillot). Black Wilture. 



Boardman, 1880. p. 106; saw a flock of black vultures a few miles north of San- 

 born, Barnes County, and shot one to make sure of the identity. 



This is the only Dakota record known to the writer. 



112. Blanoidcs forficatus (Linnaeus). Swallow-tailed Kite. 



CouES, 1878, p. 147 ; "I am informed by my valued correspondent. Dr. C. E. 

 McChesney, U. S. A., of the occurrence of Elanoides forficatus at Fort Sisseton, 

 Dakota, during nearly the whole of last winter. [This fort was in Roberts County, 

 not far from the North Dakota line.] This account tallies with Trippe's Minnesota 

 record, north of Mille Lac, lat. 47°, while at Pembina, Dakota, lat. 49°, I was assured 

 by an officer of the occasional appearance of the bird there." 



113. Circus hudsonius (Linnaeus). Marsh Hawk. 



Allen, 187s. p. ^4; rare in the breeding season, more common in August and 

 September. CouES, 1878, p. 619; common throughout the region. Specimens were 

 taken at Pembina, June 3 and 11, 1873; at Turtle Mountains, July 28,, and Mouse 

 River, August 10-19. Hoffman, 1882, p. 402; not common at Fort Berthold. Judd, 

 1917. p. 15; very common summer resident. 



