35^ 



Merrill, ^/>^5 of Fort Sherman^ Idaho. \^^ 



LOct. 



visitors, its notes being heard almost everywhere. Of a number of sets 

 of eggs collected at Fort Sherman none were entirely unspotted but a 

 majority were marked at the larger end, more or less distinctly, with 

 delicate light brown dots. 



Empidonax wrightii. — Only a single specimen taken; this was on 

 May 17. 



* Otocoris alpestris leucolaema. — A typical female taken September 28, 

 on the prairie. This was one of a number of Horned Larks collected on 

 the same day and at the same place, all the others being of the next form. 



* Otocoris alpestris merrilli. — Careful search failed to reveal the 

 presence of either form of Horned Lark during the winter, though it is 

 probable that leucolcema occasionally occurs about ranch yards at that 

 season. The present one returns in March, and during spring and 

 summer is very common on the prairie, but none were seen at any time 

 about the post gardens and adjoining fields, apparently equally suited to 

 their habits. When grouse shooting in August these Larks were often 

 flushed in corn and potato fields on the prairie" where they sought shelter 

 from the intense heat of the sun. Later they are found in the open 

 prairie, stubble or ploughed land, collecting in flocks of twenty, forty 

 or more. 



Referring to a series of skins collected here, Mr. Brewster writes : 

 " Specimens from Fort Sherman appear to be referable to O. a. merrilli 

 although they are not typical, having the dorsal streaking much less 

 pronounced than in Klamath birds. The autumnal examples are also 

 more olivaceous above than the latter." 



Pica pica hudsonica. — Not uncommon in winter, a few individuals 

 making daily visits to the back yards of the quarters and to the garbage 

 pile a few hundred yards outside the fort. There was a decided increase 

 in their numbers about the middle of February, but they were rarely seen 

 after March, and none appear to breed near the fort. 



Cyanocitta stelleri annectens. — Fairly common about the fort in spring 

 and autumn, a few passing the winter. It does not appear to breed at 

 lake level but several pairs were seen early in July on Mica Peak, first at 

 an elevation of about 1500 feet above the lake and thence upward to the' 

 summit. These Jays are typical annectens. 



Perisoreus canadensis capitalis. — Rather common resident. A pair was 

 seen collecting building material for a nest in a young pine on April 17, 

 near Hoodoo Lake, about forty miles from the fort, but I was unable to 

 return to secure it. 



Mr. Brewster informs me that some skins sent him were much darker 

 than Coloi-ado specimens and had the dark occipital band broader. 



Corvus corax sinuatus. — Probably resident ; seen occasionally during 

 the winter. 



Corvus americanus. — Common during the migrations, a few pairs 

 breeding near the edge of the prairie. 



