° 1914 ] HoNYWiLL, Birds of Cass and Crow Wing Counties, Minn. 85 



87. Larus argentatus. Herring Gull. — Two Herring Gulls were 

 seen on Crooked Lake September 12, 1911. They were feeding upon dead 

 fish and we were able to approach quite close to them in a launch before 

 fear overcame their desire for food and caused them to fly a short distance 

 away. At our departure they immediately returned to the fish and re- 

 sumed feeding. 



88. Larus franklini. Franklin's Gull. — This bird was seen on 

 September 9 and 11, 1911, flying over Crooked Lake. On the latter date 

 it flew within about 25 feet of my boat which gave me an excellent oppor- 

 tunity to observe it. 



89. Tympanuchus americanus americanus. Prairie Chicken. — 

 A flock of about 35 birds was seen near Ox Meadow on August 18 and 19. 

 A smaller flock, probably some of the same birds, was flushed from the 

 lumber road between Ox Meadow and Stake Lakes on August 24, 1911. 

 Again in 1912 the birds were found plentifully at the same place. The 

 Prau-ie Chicken appears to be increasing in this vicinity quite rapidly. 

 Several birds were flushed from the open brush land a half mile north of the 

 camp and also from the road leading from the head of Crooked Lake to 

 Stake Lake. Two years ago about 40 acres of land were cleared and planted 

 about a half mile southwest of the camp. In 1912 about a half acre was 

 planted to buckwheat for the express purpose of coaxing in the Prairie 

 Chickens. About 30 acres were also planted to wheat and oats. This 

 abundant feed appeared to bring about the desired result as a small covey 

 of Chickens was several times observed either in the fields or in the brush 

 adjoining. As no shooting is allowed in this vicinity we hope to see a 

 notable increase in the flock next year. 



90. Pedioecetes phasianellus phasianellus. Sharp-tailed Grouse. 

 — On August 19, 1911, an adult bird was flushed from the brush on an 

 arm of higher ground between Ox Meadow and a swale to the northeast. 



91. Totanus flavipes. Lesser Yellow-legs. — Seen in small num- 

 bers on both Ox Meadow and Stake Lakes on August 18, 19, 24 and 25, 

 1911. Early in the morning of the 24th, as we sat by the fire in the front 

 of the tent, a flock of three Yellow-legs and five Killdeer circled and alighted 

 at the water's edge. Although we were not 20 feet away and made no 

 attempt to be quiet or motionless, they appeared to be almost fearless and 

 fed undisturbed. A few Yellow-legs were also observed in 1912 at the same 

 place. 



92. Myiarchus crinitus. Crested Flycatcher. — It was not un- 

 common to hear the characteristic call of this flycatcher from the depth of 

 a small grove near the camp. The loud and long drawn " wheep " call 

 note was often heard in August although at this time the Crested Fly- 

 catcher is generally supposed to remain quiet. 



93. Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Sw^allow. — On August 24 and 25, 

 1911, single Tree SwaUows or flocks of four or five were seen over both 

 Stake and Ox Meadow lakes. A few Cliff Swallows were seen at the same 

 time and also on August 19 but at no time was either species common. 



