BIRDS OF FERGUS COUNTY, MONTANA 31 



was a platform of sticks set against the trunk of the tree, at the base of a 

 large branch. The only lining was horse "chips." During the last visit both 

 birds soared high in the air, the female having uttered one or two harsh 

 cries when she had first left the nest. 



After being disturbed in their nidification as described in the pre- 

 ceding paragraph, this pair of rough-legs moved into another adjacent 

 coulee, and took possession of a nest in the top of a pine tree fifty-five 

 feet from the ground. It was repaired by lining with horse "chips" as be- 

 fore. The cavity was 13 inches across, and two and one-half inches deep. 

 On May 15, just twenty days after the first two eggs were taken, the nest 

 contained two fresh eggs. These two were a trifle smaller than the first 

 two, measuring about 2.36 by 1.76 inches, and 2.34 by 1.70 inches. When 

 startled from her nest, the female frequently flew overhead uttering a 

 shrill cry, and finally alighted upon an adjacent bluff, occasionally calling 

 harshly. She could be easily known by her ragged wing quills. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts reddish brown, streaked with 

 darker; lower parts white, the thighs reddish brown; long feathers of wing 

 leaden; length 22-24 inches. 



349. GOLDEN EAGLE. Aquila chrysaetos. 



The golden eagle is of very common occurrence throughout the 

 county, though nesting only locally. Numbers are taken every winter in 

 traps set near carcasses of animals left as bait for wolves and coyotes. 

 One was brought to me on Jan. 2, 1902, which had been caught in a wolf 

 trap on Mr. Fred Warren's ranch near Utica. It was said that the snow 

 around the bird had been tramped almost to the bare ground by coyotes 

 which had surrounded the bird in the night and which had been kept 

 away by the courageous captive. The bird became quite tame and allowed 

 me to caress and handle it through the bars of its box. It ate about half a 

 pound of raw beef per day. On Jan. 27, about an hour after I had fed it at 

 noon, it was found lying dead on the floor of its box. Though I had fre- 

 quently put a basin of water in its box, I never saw the bird drink nor 

 noticed any evidence of its having touched the water. One day, however, 

 it stood with one foot in the edge of the partially over-turned basin, and 

 was either washing its plumage or striking its wings in efforts to escape. 

 About two weeks later it was reported that another golden eagle, supposed- 

 ly the female mate of the male I have mentioned, was taken at the same 

 place. 



Distinguishing features: Plumage generally dark brown; hind part 

 of head and neck with a tinge of dull yellow; can be identified in any 

 plumage by the leg feathered all around down to the toes; length 30-40 

 inches. 



352. BALD EAGLE. HaHaeetus leucocephalus. 



The bald eagle has not chanced under my observation in this re- 

 gion. Dr. J. A. Allen notes that it was seen only at rare intervals along 

 the Yellowstone and Musselshell Rivers. A pair of these birds, the male in 

 splendid plumage, were seen daily by me at the head of Swan Lake, in the 

 Flathead Lake region, in the spring of 1902. 



