BIRDS OP FERGUS COUNTY, MONTANA C9 



branch about fifteen feet from the ground. It was partially saddled on an 

 oblique twig on the under side of the branch, and partially pendent from 

 several twigs. The structure resembled a ball of lichen, of which it was 

 chiefly composed, having also deerhair, gossamer, and shreds of bark 

 wrought in the walls. In outward dimensions it was four inches wide and 

 three inches deep. On the day mentioned the nest contained eight young 

 about ready to fly. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts grayish-olive; much like the 

 preceding species; crown with a patch of bright scarlet-red. 



754. TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. Myadestes townsendii. 

 This species has been seen by me but once in the vicinity of Lewis- 

 town, when a single individaul was observed in the fall in a willow thicket 

 on the Day ranch. It was catching insects among the trees, acting much 

 like one of the larger flycatchers, but flitting about low among the slender 

 tree-trunks. It was not noticeably shy, and allowed me to watch its move- 

 ments at a satisfactory distance. Capt. Thome found it rare at Ft. Keogh. 

 Distinguishing features: Upper parts brownish-gray, lower parts light- 

 er; tail feathers varied with white; length 8-10 inches. 



756a. WILLOW THRUSH. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola. 

 Not uncommon as a summer resident in the thickets and groves of 

 the water-courses. On June 8, 1901, I found a nest of this thrush in a 

 willow clump near Big Spring Creek. The brim of the nest was fourteen 

 inches from the ground, in the base of a clump of small willow. The nest 

 was made of coarse weed-stems and strips of bark, lined with aner dried 

 grass stems, and bedded with pieces of dried leaves. The cavity was three 

 inches across and two inches deep. There were only two eggs, upon which 

 the female had been sitting since June 5, but they showned no signs of 

 incubation. When I was near the nest, the female flitted about nearby, 

 but made no sound of any sort. The eggs of this thrush are deep green, 

 generally unmarked, but sometimes marked with fine, almost invisible dota 

 of blackish-brown. The nest is usually situated on a mass of muddy and 

 decayed leaves, as was the case in the instance recorded. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts russet-olive; lower parts gray- 

 ish brown, chest buffy with spots of dark brown; length 7-8 inches. 

 753a. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. Hylocichla ustulatus swainsonif. 



A regular migrant in this region, seen chiefly in the spring. Capt. 

 Thome reports it as abundant in the spring, rare in the fall, at Ft. Keogh. 

 Messrs. Richmond and Knowlton secured young birds at Mystic Lake OB 

 July 27, south-central Montana. This species was found to be one of the 

 most common summer birds of the Flathead Lake region. 



During the severe storm of May 17-23, 1903, numbers of this thrush 

 appeared in town, many of them seeking shelter under the high side-walks 

 and in porches. Hundreds of thrushes were no doubt in the neighborhood, 

 as several could be seen in every block in town except on Main Street, 

 and they appeared to be equally numerous in neighboring places. One that 

 had perished in the storm was sent me from Deerfield by Theo. Hogeland, 

 Distinguishing features: Upper parts dark grayish olive; chest pale 



