common mergansers were seen on the Gallatin River between Big Sky 

 and Taylor Creek. Mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) and teal ( Anas 

 spp.) were seen in small numbers in quiet pools and backwater 

 areas along the Boulder, West Boulder, and Stillwater rivers. 

 Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ) were observed along calm 

 sections of the West Boulder and Stillwater rivers. 



Table 3. Average, minimum, and maximum stream discharge for the 

 Boulder and Gallatin rivers for 1981-1990 (USGS, Helena, MT) . 



a- annual mean (all days) , b- highest monthly mean for period May 

 - Sept., c- lowest monthly mean for period May - Sept., * - no 

 data. 



DISCUSSION 



The number of harlequin duck observations was too small to 

 make meaningful comparisons or predictions of habitat use 

 patterns. However, the observations that were made compare 

 favorably with the results obtained from a study in GTNP (Wallen 

 1987) . For example, no observations were made in locations where 

 both stream banks approached the water at >45 degree angle or 



17 



