study area, indicate that the iiarten ( Marties americana ) was the most 

 important furbearer during the 1977-1978 season, both in terms of number 

 of pelts and value of pelts. In terms of total value of pelts, coyote 

 and bobcat ranked second and third, while the key aquatic furbearers -- 

 beaver, muskrat, and mink -- ranked fourth, fifth, and seventh, respec- 

 tively (Weckwerth and Cross 1979). 



Species Accounts -- Birds 



A summary of inventory data for bird species for which additiona' 

 data were obtained (primarily riparian species) is presented below. 

 Location codes, as defined in Figure 4, are used to describe locations 

 where appropriate. 



Canada Goose . In 1978, Canada geese were first observed March 7. 

 They were seen on or flying over the river from Williams Creek (N) to 

 near Throops Lake (C). Geese were most often observed while in flight 

 although loafing geese were observed on several occasions just up frrm 

 Kootenai Falls at the boundary of section M and N. Broods of three and 

 eight were reported on April 26 and May 15, respectively, upstream from 

 Throops Lake (D). In 1979, geese were first encountered April 18, the 

 first day of spring observations, when a pair of geese was seen on the 

 south river bank at the Falls. A pair was also seen on the river near 

 Throops Lake. No nests or broods were discovered in 1979. 



Mallard . Mallards are year-long residents of the Kootenai River in 

 the Falls area. They were seen along the river from Bobtail Creek (U) 

 to below the Falls south of Kootenai Mountain (F). Mallards were seen 

 in the same sections of river as common goldeneye (M and N); however, on 

 several occasions they were noted standing and feeding in the white 

 water and on a fallen log just above the crest of the Falls (L). During 

 winter, sheltered areas on the shore on the south side of the river were 

 preferred, while beaches on either side of the river were preferred in 

 spring. The Mallards were associated with shallow water and shoreline 

 more often than any other duck observed on the study area. A favorite 

 loafing site of Mallards was the point of land east of the boundary 

 between section M and N. A class I-a (Gollop and Marshall 1954) mallard 

 brood of 6 was observed on May 18, 1978, directly across from China 

 Creek (N); a brood of 4 was seen on June 29, 1979, swimming among rocks 

 in the cattail marsh just above the Falls on the south side of the river 

 (M). 



American Wigeon . American wigeon were observed on April 30, 1978, 

 and once more on May 25, 1978, in the bay area immediately above the 

 Falls (M). They were apparently using the area as a stopover during 

 migration. 



Common Goldeneye . Common goldeneye were observed at all seasons 

 and should be considered year-long residents. In 1978, they were seen 

 along the river from near the city limits of Libby to the vicinity of 



42 



