112 PACIFIC COAST AVIFAUNA No. 14 



the western form. .1. t. Irislis is recorded as breeding in Custer and Dawson 

 counties (Cameron, I'JUT, p. 4(14). Intergrades occur farther west, one having 

 been taken at Three Forks, Gallatin County (Saunders, 1911a, p. 42). An adult 

 female, from Custer County, July fi, 1919, lielongs to this race, as identified by 

 Dr. Bishop. 



Migration dates of arrival at Terry average May 28 for six years, the ear- 

 liest date being May 21, 1900 (Cooke, 1910b, p. 141). There is a winter record 

 from Jliles City, December 25, 1899 (Hedges, coll. Tniv. Montana). 



217. Astra;galinus tristis pallidus (Alearns) 



Western Goldfinch 



A common summer resident of western Montana, intergrading eastward with 

 the eastern subspecies. Found practically throughout the western half of the 

 state. Occurs rarely in various localities in winter. This form has not been 

 recorded from Flathead Lake. I noticed its omission from Silloway's publica- 

 tions and made special search for it in two season's work there, but did not find 

 it. This is only a local condition, however, for it is common enough at Missoula, 

 and it occurs at Kalispell (Sloanaker, IMS) and at Columbia Falls (Kitt- 

 redge, MS). 



The migrations of this species are decidedly irregular. At Big Sandy the 

 average arrival is June 6, and the earliest. May 28, 1906. At Fort Custer it ar- 

 rived May 3, 1885 (Cooke, 1910b, p. 141). Other dates are: Bozeman, JMay 2, 

 1909; Choteau, May 23, 1912; Bitterroot Valley, April 2, 1910, May 31, 1911, 

 and June 4, 1912 (Bailey, MS). Fall records are: Big Sandy, October 16, 1906 

 (Cooke, 1910b, p. 141); Cinnabar Basin, Park County, October 25, 1908; Mill 

 Creek, Deer Lodge County, September 15, 1909. 



Winter records are as follows: Three Forks, a flock, February 12, 1911' 

 (Saunders, 1911a, p. 42) ; Bozeman, flock of 100, December 24, 1914 (Lundwall. 

 1915, p. 45) ; Missoula, December 25, 1915 (Kittredge, 1916, p. 30). 



There can be no doubt that this species nests commonly in all parts of Mon- 

 tana where it occurs, but there are no records of its nesting that I can find. The 

 birds probably nest rather late, as they do in other regions, for in my observa- 

 tions they are still in flocks late in June. They inhabit cottonwood groves, and 

 undoubtedly nest mainly in the cottonwood trees. 



218. Spinus pinus (Wilson) 



Pine Siskin 

 An abundant summer resident tliroughout the western half of the state, and 

 found locally in the eastern half. Breeds most commonly in the Canadian zone 

 of the mountains, but also in the Transition, and probably in the Transition pine 

 hills in the eastern half of the state. All observers in the western half of the 

 state mention the occurrence of this species. In the eastern half it seems to 

 have escaped the notice of most observers, but it is recorded between Forts Union 

 and Benton (Hayden, 1862, p. 165) ; in Custer and Dawson counties in July 

 (Cameron. ]9()7, p. 404) : and at Billings, August 12, 1900 (Jones and Dawson, 



