352 Merrill, Birds of Fort Sherman, Idaho. \_0a 



*Charadrius dominicus. — Usually rare. A large flight passed through 

 northern Idaho and eastern Washington from the 15th to 20th of Septem- 

 ber, 1896. This was so uncommon that the local papers had notices of 

 their presence, with highly original accounts of the birds' usual haunts 

 and habits. 



.^gialitis vocifera. — A few pairs breed on the prairie near the Spokane 

 River. 



Dendragapus obscurus richardsonii. — Occasionally found about the 

 fort, but more common a few miles away, where they are not hunted so 

 much. Breeds from lake level to the tops of the surrounding mountains. 

 On July I, near the base of Mica Peak, a brood of nearly grown 3'oung was 

 seen ; the next day, just below the summit, a female with a brood of chicks 

 was found ; the latter at once scattered in the grass and the parent, to 

 obtain a better view of what was going on, flew up and alighted on the 

 pack of one of the mules. 



Dendragapus franklinii. — In the autumn of 1894 about forty specimens 

 of this beautiful Grouse were brought in for sale by a ranchman, who said 

 that he killed them on Canfield's Butte, a high hill a short distance north- 

 east of the fort. While hunting near the southern end of Lake Pend 

 d'Oreille the settlers told me that the 'fool hen ' was rather common in 

 the surrounding woods, but I did not happen to see any. 



Bonasa umbellus togata. — Exceedingly abundant, much more so than I 

 have ever found any form of the Ruffed Grouse. Many are killed by 

 ranchmen and others over dogs trained to tree the birds, and the local 

 market is plentifully supplied. One man told me that he no longer cared 

 for them on his own table, but that he still fed his dogs on them ! 



Pediocaetes phasianellus columbianus. — Quite common in all suitable 

 localities, particularly about ranches on the extensive prairie north of the 

 fort. In the winter it penetrates into the pine woods for considerable dis- 

 tances, passing the nights and the greater portion of stormy days in the 

 trees. 



Zenaidura macroura. — Not common, but generally distributed in the 

 vicinity. 



Cathartes aura. — A few are seen at intervals during the summer, arriv- 

 ing about the middle of April and leaving in September. 



Circus hudsonius. — Not uncommon in autumn. 



Accipiter velox. — One taken May 15. 



Accipiter atricapillus. — Rather common during the migrations and 

 winter, and probably breeds, as I have taken a specimen as late as May 30. 

 Especiallv abundant during the early part of the winter of 1896-97, many 

 being killed, while attacking chickens, by ranchmen and others. It may 

 be remarked that Snowy Owls were unusually common about the same 

 time, and that a specimen of Falco rusticoliis was shot at Spokane, Wash., 

 about twenty-five miles distant. 



Buteo swainsoni. — A young bird taken September 14. 



