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trunks, at points abont half way up the boles. The shooting 

 we had done in the woods during the preceding three 

 weeks did not appear to have had any effect in frightening 

 away this wary woodpecker from the old landmarks. How- 

 ever, the woodsman's axe will doubtless hasten this undesirable 

 outcome. 



This lordly inhabitant of the primeval woodlands is common 

 in the vicinity of Sin-yale-a-min Lake. A pair had a home in 

 the ravine leading westward from the lake. Their favorite 

 haunts were tall denuded pines and tamaracks, though they 

 were not often seen near the summits of the boles, apparently 

 preferring a middle station. Their loud, resounding tapping 

 generally disclosed their presence, together with their loud, 

 vibrant, flicker-like call. Our frequent shooting in the neigh- 

 borhood and in the ravine where they made their head- 

 quarters did not 'seem to disturb them, though when we tried 

 to stalk them they managed to keep out of range, silently flap- 

 ping away when we aproacbed, so that no specimens were taken 

 at this camp. 



Likewise at McDonald Lake, after we had been in camp 

 some days and had been shooting in the immediate neighbor- 

 hood at all times during our stay, two specimens, an old female 

 and a young male, were taken within a hundred yards of the 

 camp. 



408. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER, Melanerpes torquatus (Wils.) 



This peculiar woodpecker was common in the woods near the 

 outlet of Lake McDonald. It prefers the largest pines, from 

 which it will fly out and capture an insect in air as expertly 

 as a kingbird or other flycatcher, and return to its chosen sta- 

 tion. There is a degree of wary secretiveness in its nature, 

 however, for when an observer is near, it will remain silently 

 lurking in the top of the tree until the patience of the observer 

 is likely to be exhausted. 



A pair were seen feeding young birds in a hole about fifty 

 feet from the ground in a living pine, July 28, at Post Creek. 

 This woodpecker was a common visitor to our camp at Crow 

 Creek. We also noted it among the scrubby haw trees near 

 our camp at the foot of Flathead Lake. 



On the day of our first arrival at the Station, June 14, 

 Lewis's woodpecker was a noticeable visitor to the Station 

 grounds, and two specimens, which were making frequent sal- 



