66 BULLETIN FERGUS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL. 



name, as it is greatly like the syllables "quit it." This call, uttered sev- 

 eral times in repetition, forms the fall song of the pipit. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts grayish brown, streaky; dull 

 yellow stripe above the eye; lower parts dull yellow, streaky; length 6-7 

 inches. 



700. SPRAGUE'S PIPIT. Anthus spragueii. 



Not common as a summer resident. On May 29, 1901, I found a nest 

 of Sprague's pipit on the high prairie west of Lewistown. It was made in 

 a cavity in the ground at the base of a small coronilla bush, flush with the 

 surroundings. It was made of fine dried grass, the cavity measuring inter- 

 iorly two and one-half inches and two inches major and minor axes, and 

 two inches deep. The female started from the nest when' I was about 

 six feet away, and as she displayed the white of her outer tail feathers, my 

 first thought was vesper sparrow. The different flight, however, and the 

 general structure of the nest, together with the entirely different eggs in 

 the nest, told a different story. There were four eggs, perfectly fresh. 

 In form they appear much elongate. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts streaked with grayish yellow, 

 brown, and dusky; two outer tail feathers chiefly white; lower parts dingy 

 white, tinged with yellow; chest buffy, streaked; length 6-7 inches. 

 701. AMERICAN DIPPER. Cinclus mexicanus. 



The American dipper has not chanced under my personal observation 

 near Lewistown, but well-informed persons report to me that it is seen 

 here frequently, playing in the falls at the electric light plant. It is a regu- 

 lar resident in summer along the mountain streams. 



Distinguishing features: Plumage slate-gray, head and neck brown- 

 ish; length about 8 inches. 



702. SAGE THRASHER. Oroscoptes montanus. 



Noted by Dr. J. A. Allen as occurring along the Musselshell, and 

 "seen only at intervals, either singly or two or three together, and very 

 difficult to approach. Frequents the sage brush and grease wood, ofter fai 

 away from streams or timber." I have not observed this species near 

 Lewistown. Capt. Thome reports it as rare in the vicinity of Ft. Keogh. 

 Messrs. Richmond and Knowlton note its occurrence in south-central Mon- 

 tana. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts brownish-gray, wings with two 

 white bands; outer tail feathers varied with white; lower parts dingy 

 Y/hite, partially tinged with dull yellowish, and partially spotted and 

 streaked with dusky; length 8-9 inches. 



704. CATBIRD. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. 



A common resident of the shrubbery in summer, manifesting tn 

 characteristics that distinguish it elsewhere throughout its extensive 

 range. 



Distinguishing features: Plumage leaden-slaty, top of head and tail 

 black; under tail-coverts reddish brown: length 8-9 inches. 



