la21 BIRDS OP MONTANA • l.^.i 



Eight nests were found between Forts Union and Benton, .lutie 1:» to '2'2, 

 1860 (Cooper, 1869b, p. 295), Nests have been fonnd frequently at Flathead 

 Lake, where fresh eggs were taken as late as June 30. 1000. and nests with yonnt,' 

 found as early as June 28 (Silloway. 1901a. p. 13). 



2!»7. Anthus rubescens (Tunstall) 



Pipit 



A summer resident of high iiiouutains in the northwestern part of the state, 

 and perhaps of more southern ranges also. A very common migrant throughout: 

 the state in open grass areas of the prairie region and in mountain valleys. In 

 the breeding season found only in the Alpine zone. Summer ■.■eeords ;u'e as 

 follows: Two taken at Chief Mountain Lake, Ai;gust 2!). 1874 (Cones, 18741>, p, 

 r).J8). Seen in snows at highest point of the Bridger Mountains (Grinnell, l87ii, 

 ]). 643). Occurs commonly in the Alpine zone in Glacier National Park, about 

 Sperry Glacier, Gunsight Pass, Blackfoot Glacier and other similar localities 

 In migration there are numerous records from all parts of the state. 



This bird is common both in spring and fall migration, but [lerhaps more 

 abundant in fall. Dates of spring migration are as follows: Helena, Ajuil 9. 

 1911; Anaconda, April 15 to May 20, 1911; Bitterroot Valley. April 24 to .May 

 15, 1912 (Bailey, MS). Dates of arrival in fall: Big Creek. Park County. Sej)- 

 tember 16, 1908; MiW Creek. Deer Lodge County. September 14. 1!»09; Pioneer. 

 Powell County. September 11, 1910; Choteau, September 17. 1911. Dates of 

 departure: Fridley, Park County, October 20, 1908; Three Forks, October 17. 

 1909; Anaconda, October 23, 1910; Choteau, October 1. 1911, An earlier date 

 for fall arrival is Powder River. September 6. 1873 (Allen, 1874, p. 50). 



There are no records of the finding of the ne.st of this species in IMontaua. 



298. Anthus sprag^uei (Audubon) 



Spr.\gue Pipit 



A locall.y common summer resident in parts of the jjrairie region. Ajtpar- 

 ently most abundant just east of the easternmost mountain ranges in Teton. 

 ^!ascade, and Fergus counties. Not reported by any obsei-vers in Custer and 

 Dawson counties. E\-idently prefers wet prairie lands, about the edges of alka- 

 line ponds, or in hollows wliere iionds exist for a part of the year only. Not 

 found in wet meadows where the grass is tall. Breeds mainly, and perhaps 

 entirely, in the Transition zone. Records are as follows : Yellowstone and Mus- 

 .■i(4shell rivers, rare on the Yellowstone, a n(>.st with five eggs found (Allen, 

 1874, p. 50). Not foTind over most of the Jlissouri and Milk River regions, but 

 t.iken at the head of Milk River, August 13, 1874 (Cones. 1874b, p. 559). Seen 

 iH'tween C'lmps Lewis and Baker (Grinnell, 187(i, p. 643). Great Falls, nesting 

 .iust outside the Belt .Mountains (Williams. 1882a, p. 62). Rare in suuuner 

 (Sillowa,y, 1903a, p. 66). Connnon sunnner resident in Teton and northern 

 Lewis and Clark counties (Saundei's, 1914a. p. 142). 



.Migration dates for this s]iei'ies ai'e as follows: Great Falls. .May 9, 1887. 

 ,;nd .May 8. 1885 (Williams. 18SSa. u. 15) ; Choteau. May 23. 1912. There are 



