BIRDS OF FERGUS COUNTY, MONTANA. 57 



562. BREWER'S SPARROW. Spizella breweri. 



Of this species, Dr. J. A. Allen says that it is a common inhabitant 

 of the sage brush everywhere; especially numerous in the valleys of the 

 Yellowstone and Musselshell. It is also included in Thome's list of birds 

 breeding at Ft. Keogh. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts light grayish brown, streaked 

 with black; lower parts dingy white, streaky; length 5-6 inches. 



567.1. MONTANA JUNCO. Junco montanus. 



The exact ornithological status of our junco in this region is a mat- 

 ter of doubt, which can be determined only by examination of many more 

 specimens than are available for the purpose. Under the name of Montana 

 junco, Mr. Robert Ridgway cites Junco montanus breeding in the Belt 

 Mountains, while under the name of pink-sided junco, he cites Junco mearnsi 

 as breeding in the Big Horn Mountains. What may be the exact name of the 

 form prevailing in the county, we know not; but of our junco we are cer- 

 tain, and shall leave to others wiser than we to christen him after due 

 consideration of all his features. 



The junco appears in this region on its northward movement about 

 the 20th of April. It frequents the thickets and shrubbery along water- 

 courses, and the coulees of the foot-hills and mountains. Many remain 

 to breed in the mountainous districts, while the majority push onward to 

 more favorite nesting; regions. It passes southward through this locality 

 in late September and early October. 



Distinguishing features: Head, neck, and upper breast lead color, 

 back and shoulders dark brown; sides pinkish, other lower parts dingy 

 white; outer tail feathers white; bill pinkish; length about 7 inches. 



581b. MOUNTAIN SONG SPARROW. Melospiza cinerea montana. 



This hardy songster, the genial soloist of the bushes in the early 

 spring, appears early in April, and thenceforth the charming songs of this 

 sparrow can be keard along the streams wherever there are bushes to shel- 

 ter it. It leaves us about the middle of September. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts grayish brown, streaky; lower 

 parts dingy white, chest and sides streaky; length 6-7 inches. 

 583. LINCOLN'S SPARROW. Melospiza lincolnii. 



This sparrow is not uncommon as a migrant, loitering along the 

 water-courses where there are trees and bushes. I have not noted it in the 

 spring, but each fall a few are seen in the vicinity of Big Spring Creek 

 near Lewistown. Chas. W. Richmond and F. H. Knowlton report this spar- 

 row as rather common in south-central Montana, and state that it breeds in 

 the mountains, as a young bird was taken on July 29 at Traill Creek. Capt. 

 Platte M. Thorne reports this species as rare at Ft. Keogh, having noted it 

 there in early May. 



Distinguishing features: Back grayish brown, streaked with black; 

 crown hazel, streaked with black; lower parts dingy white, streaky; broad 

 band of dull yellow across chest; length 5-6 inches. 



