Vol jg^- IV ] Cameron, Birds of Custer & Dawson Counties, Mont. 393 



In the fall of 1889, Captain Thome "sent one hundred and eighteen 

 skins of birds taken every month in the year, to the American Museum of 

 Natural History, New York. They were examined by Dr. Jonathan 

 Dwight, Jr., and pronounced to be "all arenicola." 



105. Pica pica hudsonica.' American Magpie. — Common. More 

 numerous in Dawson County than in Custer. Abundant in Custer County 

 during the early nineties, where it was a source of much annoyance to 

 trappers until exterminated by poison and traps put out for wolves. In- 

 creasing again now, in Custer County, during the last five years, especially 

 around Knowlton, from a single pair which is believed to have come from 

 Dawson County to Mr. J. H. Price's ranch. They nested at the latter 

 place in 1902, and on February, 21, 1907, I counted eighteen Magpies in 

 one of Mr. Price's pastures. Two pairs of Magpies nest annually on 

 Cottonwood Creek which runs through the badlands near my ranch in 

 Dawson County. There are altogether seven nests here, but three only 

 have been used in the last four years. The broods number six or eight, 

 and can fly by the middle of June. The full-feathered fledglings sit in the 

 tree and have a habit of incessantly bobbing, or bowing, which renders 

 them difficult subjects for the photographer. When the young birds think 

 that the parents are away too long they keep up a monotonous clamor 

 upon one note, precisely like the young Pinon Jay's shriek. Magpies 

 perch on cattle for the 'warbles' which infest the hide, and also alight on 

 the backs of horses and of the mule deer. The latter do not seem to 

 appreciate this attention, and I have seen a doe push a Magpie from her 

 back with her nose. I have found the Magpie to be one of the tamest 

 birds in eastern Montana. On August 4, 1904, I approached within four 

 yards of one sitting on a bush of the so-called yellow sage in the badlands. 

 If encouraged about ranch buildings there is no limit to the boldness of 

 this precocious thief. 



106. Corvus corax sinuatus. American Raven. — Rare. An occa- 

 sional straggler to both counties. I have seen about half a dozen in 18 

 years. Mr. J. H. Price has not observed it. "When on a hunting trip in 

 1898 a pair were twice seen; on Nov. 21 (on Cherry Creek) and Dec. 19 

 (on Cedar Creek) in Dawson County. At the latter date I had made a 

 long and fatiguing crawl towards some recumbent antelope in high sage- 

 brush when the low flying Ravens spoilt my stalk by frightening the timid 

 game. Captain Thome gives the Raven as "not common" but Dr. 

 Edgar A. Mearns records it as "common" in his list of birds of Fort Custer. 

 (Condor, Vol. VI, p. 21.) 



107. Corvus cryptoleucus. White-necked Raven. — Rare. One seen 

 by my wife and Mrs. Gifford at the Gifford residence, Fallon, Custer 

 County, on Sept. 14, 1902. It was flying south within range of a 16-bore 

 gun. 



108. Corvus americanus. American Crow\ — Not common. An 

 irregular spring migrant in both counties. I saw a large flock on April 

 29, 1894, at my ranch in Custer County, but it is generally seen in small 

 numbers. 



