1921 BIRDS OP MONTANA 29 



in March and April, and near Custer May 25, 1917, where it possiliiy lireeds on 

 islands. Nest with two eggs found at Big Lake, Stillwater County, June ti, 191S 

 (Tliomas, JIS). Nests commonly on more remote lakes, in (Jlacicr Park (F. il. 

 Bailey, 1918, p. 52). Seen at Helena April 9, 1911. 



7. Gavia stellata (Pontoppidan) 



Red-throated Loon 

 One taken at Mud Lake, Flathead County, July 15, 1901 (Silloway. PHlla. 

 p. 38). Tlie specimen is in the collection of the University of Montana. Occurs 

 on the Yellowstone, near Billings in migrations and winter (Thomas, ]\[S). 



8. Larus occidentalis Audubon 



Western Gull 

 One, in juveiial phunage, taken at Flathead Lake, August 29, 1900 (Sillo- 

 way, 1901a, p. 38). The identification of this specimen was later (piestioned hy 

 Jlr. Silloway. I have examined the bird and believe that it is pi'o]ierly identified. 

 It is in the collection of the University of Montana. 



9. Larus argentatus Pontopiiidan 



IIekking Gull 

 A migrant in tlie eastern part of the .state, breeding rarel.v. Comuion on 

 the Missouri in fall (Silloway, 1903a, p. 11). Taken at Foi't Benton by .1. IT. 

 Beatty, September 8, 1874 (Coues, 1874b, p. 655). Common on the Yellowstone 

 in fall in Custer and Dawson counties (Cameron, 1907, p. 247). Twenty on tli" 

 Yellowstone at Billings, May 4, 1917. A nest with five eggs taken at Big Lake, 

 June 4, 1918 (Thomas. :\IS). 



10. Larus calif ornicus Lawrence 



C.\LiFORNL\ Gull 

 One seen in September, 1888, on the Jefferson River, Gallatin County 

 (Richmond and Knowlton, 1894, p. 301). I secured a young bird at Flathead 

 Lake, July 2, 1914. The bird w-as one in partly mature plumage, and I supposed 

 it delawarensis. Mr. Sloanaker examined it later, and wrote me that he believed 

 it to be calif ornicus. Later, at my request, he sent it to Dr. Grinnell, at the 

 Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, who confirmed his identification. Mr. Sloanaker 

 writes me that mounted birds in Kalispell are undoubtedly this species, aiul that 

 he believed it more connnon at Flathead Lake than dclauarcnsis. 



11. Larus delawarensis Ord 



RlN(i-HILLED Gl'LL 



A summer resident locall.y. nuiinly in the noi'thern pai't of the state, and a 

 migrant elsewhere, "wherever there are streams and lakes. This is the coiiuiion- 

 ;'st and most widely distributed gull in the state. 



Breeding records : A colony found breeding on an island in Lake Bowdoin, 

 near Malta, June 4, 1903 (Willett, 1907, p. 106). Young unable to fly seen 

 near Strater, July IS, 1910 by Anthony (Cooke, 1915a, p. 34). About ten pairs 



