70 BULLETIN FERGUS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL. 



buffy, with large triangular spots of dusky; length about 7 inches. A no- 

 ticeable ring of buffy white around the eye. 



761a. WESTERN RCBiN. Merula rr.igratoria propinqua. 



Very common as a summer resident throughout this region. The first 

 robins usually appear in the first week of April, and after the middle of 

 the month they are generally musical. They begin to nest early in May, 

 inhabiting the willow groves beside the streams, as well as suitable situa- 

 tions about the ranches and settlements. In the fall they congregate in 

 the mountain coulees and thickets where berries are abundant, and remain 

 until the end of October in ordinary seasons, singing cheerfully as they 

 feast during the day on the clustering berries. Trustworthy ranchers 

 frequently report that several robins and bluebirds reside throughout the 

 winter at Castle Rock, or at least appear in late winter. It was also re- 

 ported to me that a pair of robins wintered in a coulee in the Judith Moun- 

 tains. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts gray, head and neck darker, 

 frequently blackish; breast reddish-brown, other lower parts whitish; 

 length 10-11 inches. 



768. MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. Sialla arctica. 



A regular summer resident, though not occurring as commonly as 

 circumstances might warrant. On the next morning after my arrival in 

 Lewistown, Aug. 29, when all the western birds were new to me, I saw a 

 small troop of this bluebird flitting about in the warm sunshine near the 

 old school building on the bench in the south-western part of town. They 

 were silent, and were not inclined to allow close observation. Soon they 

 passed from the neighborhood. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts cerulean-blue, wings and tail 

 azure; lower parts light blue, posterior portion white; length 7-8 inches. 



INTRODUCED SPECIES 



289. BOB-WHITE. Colinus virginianus. 



This species has been successfully introduced into several localities 

 Gf Fergus county, where it has become one of the familiar birds of the 

 neighborhood. It is well represented in the vicinity of Utica, and can fre- 

 quently be seen feeding near the feed-yards and grain-stacks. A strict 

 observance and enforcement of the law protecting this prince of prairie 

 game-birds will result in the rapid spread of bob-white, as the brushy cou- 

 lees near the ranches are admirably suited to the habits of this species. 

 HOUSE SPARROW. Passer domesticus. 



This species, the so-called English sparrow, has only recently in- 

 raded Montana. Last summer a few pairs established themselves in Helena. 

 This spring, 1903, a single pair was noted at the court house by Mr. James 

 Croft, and this pair formed the nucleus of a small troop which now can 

 be seen wandering over the city of Lewistown. These sparrows multiply 

 rapidly, and in a short time they will manifest all the traits which char- 

 acterize their life in the cities. 



