BIRDS OF FERGUS COUNTY, MONTANA 69 



cr two other lark buntings were seen and heard singing in the same 

 situation. Whether they were migrants or were nesting in the locality, 

 [ could not determine. 



Distinguishing features: Plumage black, wing-coverts white, making 

 a prominent white bar; length about 7 inches. 



607. LOUISIANA TANAGER. Piranga ludoviciana. 



This beautiful tanager occurs commonly throughout the wooded 

 districts of this region. It is a resident of the coniferous forests of the 

 foothills and mountainous localities, though it does not neglect the groves 

 of tall deciduous trees bordering the larger streams. This songster is the 

 most striking gem of our woodlands, glowing with unwonted beauty in its 

 somber setting. Wings and tail are adorned with velvet jet; the head is 

 attired in rich crimson, while the remaining parts are robed in bright 

 lemon yellow. 



The singing of the Louisiana tanager is nearly like that of the robin, 

 though it is executed more nervously and brokenly, and is pitched in 

 somewhat higher key. 



The name Louisiana tanager seems rather inappropriate for one of 

 our Fergus County birds; but when we remember that the Louisiana of 

 Audubon's time embraced the larger part of the Rocky Mountain region, 

 and know that this tanager inhabits the chief part of that extensive do- 

 main, the name is found to be historically fitting. 



The nest of the Louisiana tanager is generally situated in coniferous 

 trees, among the lower branches. In the Flathead Lake region, I found 

 a nest of this tanager on July 4, 1903. It was in a Douglas spruce, on one 

 of the stunted branches among the lowest bearing vegetation. The site 

 was a tuft of twigs about four feet from the main stem, at a height of 

 about twenty-five feet from the ground. The outer framework of the neat 

 was made of coarse twigs, within which was a wall of fine rootlets with 

 a lining of horsehair. There were four eggs in the nest, and their color was 

 light bluish green, with minute -specks of blackish brown. 

 611. PURPLE MARTIN. Progne subis. 



The purple martin has chanced under my observation but once at 

 Lewistown. On May 10, 1902, several individuals were seen fluttering 

 about an electric lamp on Main street. It is likely that they were tran- 

 sients, and I have no information that this species spends the summer in 

 this immediate neighborhood. 



Dr. J. A. Allen reported the purple martin as more or less frequent 

 along the Yellowstone, but did not report its occurrence on the Mussel- 

 shell. Dr. McChesney also noted this species on the Yellowstone. 



Distinguishing features: Plumage glossy blueish-black, under part 

 more dingy; length about 8 inches. 



612. CLIFF SWALLOW. Petrochelidon lunifrons. 



Common in local colonies. Several pairs nested regularly under 

 the eaves of the old school building in Lewistown, and a small colony had 

 found quarters along the rocks about a mile above town, attaching their 

 mud-houses to the vertical sides of the cliffs. 



