skulls were prepared of all species except the deer mouse. (See Appendix 

 E for sample data sheet.) 



Reptile and Amphibian Survey 



No systematic surveys of reptiles or amphibians were conducted 

 during this survey, although all observations made incidental to other 

 field work were recorded and occasional searches of likely habitat were 

 made during both summers. 



RESULTS 



Summary of Fauna Observed 



The information presented below is based on work conducted by MDFWP 

 as reported by Joslin (1978) for the period January, 1978 to July, 1978, 

 and on work conducted by DNRC through August 1, 1979. Lists of vertebrates 

 which occur or probably occur in northwestern Montana near the project area 

 may be obtained from the reports of: Hall and Kelson (1979), Hoffmann and 

 Pattie (1968), and Hoffmann ei_aL (1969a and b) for mammals; Davis (1961) 

 and Skaar (1975) for birds; Black (1970a) for amphibians; and Black (1970b) 

 and Davis (1963) for reptiles (see also Flath 1979). These data are 

 readily available and need not be repeated in this document; only in- 

 formation on vertebrates actually encountered during the study is included 

 in this report. Inventory data for 72 species of birds and 28 of mammals 

 encountered during this study are summarized in Tables 2 and 3, respectively. 



The only reptiles observed were a group of nine western garter 

 snakes ( Thamnophis elegans vagrans ) found beneath discarded sheet metal 

 in riparian grassland near the head of Kootenai Falls, and an unidentified 

 snake (possibly a racer) observed in the understory of Douglas fir forest 

 near the head of the Falls in June of 1979. No amphibians were found 

 during the present study, despite a search of likely habitat. However, 

 a Couer d'Alene Salamander ( Plethodon vandykei ) was reportedly collected 

 on the south side of Highway 2 above the retaining wall at the western 

 border of the project area (Elliott 1979). This species is considered a 

 non-game species of "special interest" by the MDFWP (Flath 1979). It is 

 likely that the wide fluctuations in discharge and shoreline of the 

 Kootenai River presently limit amphibian populations in the area by 

 rendering the entire river unsuitable as breeding habitat. 



According to Skaar (1975), over 211 species of birds occur in the 

 Kootenai Basin, 84% of which breed there. Over 50 of these species are 

 directly dependent upon water, and many others are directly dependent 

 upon riparian habitat. 



Of the 72 bird species observed during this study, 15 (21%) were 

 classified as permanent residents in the Falls area, 49 (63%) as summer 



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