BIRDS OP FERGUS COUNTY, MONTANA 17 



Distinguishing features: Color blackish slate or leaden, bill white 

 in life; length 13-16 inches. 



223. NORTHERN PHALAROPE. Phalaropus lobatus. 



Among the first birds seen after my arrival in Lewistown, was a 

 northern phalarope. It was on a small pond near an irrigating ditch, and 

 was with several lesser yellowlegs, 'swimming along the edge of the water 

 as the larger birds waded near it. The first phalarope I had seen, I has- 

 tened to capture it for positive identification. I have Tiot seen another 

 since in this locality. Capt. Thome reports this phalarope as rare at Ft. 

 Keogh. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts dark leaden blue, varied with 

 pale yellowisn markings; wings dark, the coverts tipped with white; up- 

 per part of breast reddish brown; lower parts white; length 7-8 inches; 

 male with colors duller than female; toes with scalloped membranes. 



224. WILSON'S PHALAROPE. Steganopus tricolor. 



In his "Birds of Dakota and Montana," based upon observations 

 made along the northern boundary, Dr. Coues says that Wilson's phalaropa 

 breeds throughout the country, from the Red River to the Rocky mountains, 

 and in suitable places it is common, though never observed in large num- 

 bers at any one place. Capt. P. M. Thome reported this species as tol- 

 erably common at Ft. Keogh in May and June. 



Distinguishing features: Top of head bluish gray, bordered on fore- 

 head by black; back part of neck white, sides of neck black; middle of back 

 bluish gray, sides of back reddish brown; upper breast yellowish red; 

 other under parts white; length 9-10 inches. Male with colors less prom- 

 inent. 



225. AMERICAN AVOCET. Recurvirostra americana. 



On August 23, 1901, a flock of five American avocets appeared on 

 p. small pond in the edge of Lewistown. Their handsome colors and state- 

 ly movements soon attracted my attention, for they were the first avocets 

 I had seen. When alighted, they stood closely together in orderly array 

 at the edge of the water. When shot at with a small rifle they manifested 

 no alarm, and two of them were taken before the remainder flew away. 

 Their flight is much like that of the ring-billed gull, with projecting head 

 and indrawn neck, the legs protruding behind when the birds are settled 

 in flight. The call of the avocet is a loud, mellow whistle, uttered quickly 

 with an intonation of impatience or alarm. This species is often spoken 

 of by ranchers as the little white crane. It appears in the vicinity of Lew- 

 istown on the spring migration about the end of April. Capt. Thorne 

 notes the avocet as rare at Ft. Keogh. 



Distinguishing features: Bill curved upward toward its outer end; 

 head, neck, and upper part of breast dark brown; upper parts chiefly 

 white; large feathers of wing brownish black; middle of back white; lower 

 parts white; length 15-19 inches. 



230. WILSON'S SNIPE. Gallinago delicata. 



A common migrant, and doubtless breeding sparingly in suitable 



