LIST OF THE BIRDS SEEN 79 



Olive-sided Flycatcher (XnttaUornis borealis). One was seen in 

 Slim Buttes August 20. 



Alder Flycatcher (Empidona.v trallll alorum). Nests, not fre- 

 quently, along the Little Missouri and in canyons of the 

 forested buttes. 



Least Flycatcher (Empidon&x minimus). A pair nested in a grove 

 in a valley in Cave Hills. 



Desert Horned Lark (Otocoris alpestris leucolaema) . One of the 

 four most numerous residents of the plains. A nest with 

 four eggs was found July 15. \\e estimated that there were 

 perhaps twenty-five adults to each section (640 acres) of 

 land. 



The Horned Lark is with us the year round. It is a 

 demure, companionable little bird of roadsides, along which 

 it runs a fearlessly vanguard for travelers ; or from which 

 it may be seen perching on wayside fence posts with its 

 little horns raised in curosity as we pass. Its quaint ditty 

 is usually rendered from the ground, a stone or a post but 

 in the nesting season, .which commences as early as March, 

 the males frequently circle around high in the air for several 

 minutes poising repeatedly for an out pouring of song. Since 

 the Horned Lark is a very close relative of the Famous Eng- 

 lish Sky Lark which always sings on the wing, this trait of 

 our bird might be expected. 



So far there is no evidence that Horned Larks are in- 

 jurious ; on the contrary examination of stomachs show that 

 from the large number of weed seeds, and the considerable 

 number of harmful insects eaten, that they are decidedly 

 beneficial. 



Magpie (Pica pica hudsonla). Common resident in groves in the 

 Little Missouri Valley and in canyons of the buttes which are 

 filled with deciduous trees. 



Raven (Corrns cora.r principalis) . Reported by Catron to be 

 abundant at Camp Crook during the very coldest weather only. 

 "Ravens were seen almost every day on the way to the 

 Black Hills. They had bred on many of the lofty buttes that 

 we passed." (Grinnell.) 



Crow (Comts brachyrhynchos) . A common migrant. A few 

 nest near Camp Crook in the Little Missouri Valley. 



