BIRDS OP FERGUS COUNTY, MONTANA 39 



er; breast light gray, other lower parts light yellowish-brown; length 7-8 

 inches. 



462. WESTERN WOOD PEWEE. Contopus richardsonii. 



A common summer resident in the wooded regions. Dr. J. A. AlJon 

 observed this species at various points along the Musselshell, and Dr. 

 McChesney reports it as quite common along the Yellowstone and Big 

 and Little Horn Rivers. Capt. P. M. Thorne reports the western wood 

 pewee as common at Ft. Keogh, and Richmond and Knowlton mention it in 

 their list of birds of south-central .Montana. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts grayish brown, wings and tail 

 darker; lower parts lighter, generally tinged with yellowish; length 6-7 

 inches. 



466. TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER. Empidonax traillii. 



A specimen was taken near Lewistown, August 30, 1898. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts olive, grayer on head; lower 

 parts white, breast tinged with gray and other parts tinged with dull yel- 

 low; length 5-6 inches. 



. 474c. DESERT HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris leucolaema. 



This horned lark is the regular summer resident of this region. 

 Though found generally over the prairies, it prefers the benches in the 

 \icinity of settlements and ranches, in which situations it is noted in 

 abundance. Before the end of February, frequently as early as the middle 

 of the month, the nuptial songs of the males can be heard, continuing in- 

 creasingly through March and April and until the later broods appear. 

 Nesting begins about the middle of April, and the eggs are deposited by the 

 end of the month. On May 4, 1900, I found a nest of the desert horned 

 lark, containing three eggs far advanced in incubation, while on the same 

 day I found another nest near the first containing three eggs of a comple- 

 ment of four which was completed the following day. Four days later, 

 May 9, I observed a young desert horned lark on the same bench, evi- 

 dently taking ifcs first lessons in self-support, under the care of the male 

 parent. It was well fledged, seeming at least two weeks old, though it did 

 not try to fly, but crouched low on the ground while its parent walked 

 rapidly away to call me from the youngling. 



The nest of the horned lark can usually be found by watching ahead 

 for the sitting bird to step from the nest. The male, who takes his turn 

 in incubation when the duties become too confining for his mate, sits very 

 closely, and seldom leaves the nest until the intruder is almost upon 

 him; hence when he is taking care of the home, it is more difficult to find 

 the nest, unless one chances upon it in walking. The female, however, 

 is more watchful, and in most instances leaves the nest by stepping from 

 it when the disturber is about thirty feet away, in which case she begins 

 to glean quietly from the neighboring vegetation, but gradually leaves the 

 vicinity of the nest. 



Nest No. 1, May 4, 1900, was unmarked in any way, being flush 

 with the surrounding surface, except where the northern side of the brim 

 was a trifle elevated. On the higher side were a few blades of green 



