1921 



BIRDS OF MONTANA 



Birds of this species were found hollowing out a nest in Gallatin County in 

 •Tune, 1909 (Saunders, 1911a, p. 37), but this nest was deserted before any eggs 

 were laid. There are no otiier records of the finding of the nest of this species 

 in the state. 



15:1. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis i'.aiid 



l\Ei)-NAi'iin Sai'si"ckki; 

 A regular smiiiner resident of tiie lower mountain slopes and foothills 

 throughout the western half of the .state, and eastward lo the easternmost ranges. 

 The easternmost records are xMussellshell River (Allen. 1874, p. 63), and Big 

 Horn Mountains and Little Big Horn River (Merrill, 18S1, pp. :20t;-2n7). Occurs 

 in rather small numliers, but is widely distributed and not rare. There are few 



Pig. l.j. Rki)-.\ai'i;i) Sai'.si'i IvKks at nkst-hulk; .mai.k at i,i:ri, ik.malk a: 

 RIGHT. NKAI! HOMESTAKE, JeI'T'ERSON COUNTY; JUNE 21, 1910. Tuii^ 

 XEST IS IN a dead FIR; THE SPEIIES JtOST COMMONLY NESTS IN LIVE 

 ASPENS. 



dates to indicate the season of its migration. The earliest dat" of arrival at 

 Jlissoula is April 18 (Kittredgc, IMS). The earliest date among my own reeoi-ds 

 is Sedan, Gallatin County, May 20, 1909. The only fall date 1 have oblainet! is 

 Kalispell, October 1, 1917 (Sloanaker, MS). 



This species nests in June and July. Dr. .Merrill found a nest on the Little 

 Big Horn River in June. 18S0, containing five eggs. Silloway secured six fresh 

 eggs at Lewistown on June 7. 1904 (19041i, p. 149), and found birds feeding 

 young at Flathead Lake. June 26, 1900 (1901a. p. 29). The uest and young- 

 were found in Gallatin Couut.y in July. 19(i9 (Saunders, 1911a, p. 37). and a 

 nest probably containing eggs, in Jeffei-son County in late June. 1910 (Saunders. 

 1912a, p. 24). (See fig. 15.) A nest eontiiiniug yomig was foiiiul at Belton. 

 July 3, 1915 (DuBois, JIS). 



