60 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 14 



MS). Fall dates: Sedan, Gallatin Connty, Seiitember 26, 1908; Raee Traek, 

 Deer Ijodfje County, September 26, li)l(l (Saunders, 1912a, p. 25). 



106. Cathartes aura septentrionalis Wied 



Turkey Viiltcke 



Formerly abundant, at least in the eastern half of the state. Now rare 

 everywhere, and not recorded at all from tiie extreme northern part. The 

 slaughter of the bison in the early days has been given as the reason for tlie for- 

 mer abundance and present rarity of this species. Early records: Yellowstone 

 River, 1872 (Allen, 1874, p. 65) ; Fort Custer, 1878 (McChesney. 1879, p. 2392), 

 and 1889 (Mearns, 1904. p. 20) ; abundant generally, 1862 (Hayden, 1862, p. 

 151) ; abundant on the plains of the upper Missouri (Grinnell, 1876, p. 650); 

 common, Gallatin County, 1888-90 (Richmond and Knowlton, 1894, p. 302). 



Recent records : Custer and Dawson counties, formerly abundant, numer- 

 ous in the fall of 1883, nested till 1887, and records of its occurrence until 1906 

 (Cameron. 1907, p. 259) ; Gallatin County, rai'e in 1909 (Saunders, 19113, [). 

 35); seen at Lombard, April 23, 1909; Deer Lodge and Silver Bow counties, 

 rare, but reported nesting; seen November 1, 1910 (Saunders, 1912a, p. 25); 

 Ravalli County, rare, seen May 4 and November 29, 1911, reported to breed in 

 the mountains (Bailey, IMS). Occurs near Billings, where it is neither common 

 nor rare, and probably breeds (Thomas, IMS). 



107. Circus hudsonius (Linnaeus) 



IM.\RSH ILVWK 



An abundant summer resident on the plains and jirairies. and in the moun- 

 tain valle.ys throughout the state. Reported l),v nearly all observers, and noted 

 as breeding. One of the most abundant of Jlontana hawks. Winters occasion- 

 ally west of the continental divide. 



Nesting data : Marsh Hawks evidently nest the last of Jlay in .Montana. 

 Nesting occupies about two months, and the young ■are on the wing in August, 

 when the species suddenly becomes very abundant in the valleys. Dates for 

 nesting are as follows: May 26, 1912, nest with the first egg laid. Set of six 

 completed June 6, Teton County. Another in same locality had the first egg 

 May 27 and four eggs June 8, 1912 (Saunders, 1913b, pp. 99-104). Fergus 

 County, nest with the first egg May 18, 1901. and five eggs JMay 25. A second 

 nest May 30, with five eggs, advanced in incubation (Silloway, 1903a, p. 45 i. 



Migrations: Spring arrival, Bozeman, IMarch 19. 1909; Stuart, Silver Bow 

 County, April 16. 1911; Teton County. April 7. 1912; Dutton, April 3, 1!)15; 

 March 22. 1916; April 11, 1917 (DuBois, MS). Fall departure: Three Forks, 

 October 17, 1909; Missoula, October 30, 1902 (Elrod. coll. Univ. Montana). 



Winter record: A few remain all the year in the Bitterroot Valley (Bailey, 

 MS). 



108. Accipiter velox (Wilson) 



Sharp-shinned IT.\wk 

 A common summer resident in the mountains of the western half of the 



