BIOLOGICAL RECONNOISSANCE AT FLATHEAD LAKE. 105 
sky above. The Mission range shows up grandly. It is a magnificent 
sight. 
The descent was made along the ridge to the southeast, so as to 
descend the middle ridge of the mountain instead of the western one. 
The descent was begun at 5:35, and was devoid of interest save that the 
trip was exceedingly difficult and tiresome. In an evil moment a ravine 
was selected, which was followed for some time. in one respect this 
was fortunate, as late in the evening a movement was seen in the bushes 
ahead indicating a bear. The head man immediately dropped to his. 
knees. A black patch about the size of a man’s hand was all that could 
be seen, and instantly it was fired at. The surprise of the mountain 
climbers was great to behold a monster porcupine roll over into the 
ravine. He was big and heavy, and it was nearly 4,000 feet of a descent 
to camp, and already getting dusk, owing to the fact that we were in the 
ravine. Tying his legs together the beast was slung across the back of 
one of the men, and the descent in earnest began. This was the largest 
porcupine ever seen in the region. Indeed, porcupines in this section of 
the state are scarce, and many an old timer has no recollection of ever 
having seen one. When 2,500 above camp a scheme was resorted to 
in an effort to arouse the camp which is worthy of mention, as it may be 
used by any one in any locality. The idea belongs to Prin. Silloway, though 
it may be commonly known. Taking a double-barrelled gun, opening the 
breech, and blowing in the breech end as in a conch shell a noise is made 
that is deep, heavy, and resonant, and may be heard a long distance. 
The noise made on this occasion was clearly heard in camp a half mile 
below, and much farther by the road we had to travel. Also, we could 
hear their reply, though told afterwards that all had called together at the 
top of their voices in order to make us hear. This blowing on the gun 
barrel is the cheapest whistle a hunter can buy, and will carry the sound 
farther than any on the market. Late that night, about ten o’clock, the 
party arrived, tired and hungry, as is usual in the mountains, but well 
paid for the trip. 
ORNITHOLOGY AT SINYALEAMIN LAKE. 
Animal life around the lake is interesting, but not abundant. The 
ornithologists followed the birds from daylight until dark, which is most 
of the time when the days are so long. The nesting season had apparently 
closed, and not a single set of eggs was taken or seen. 
While the list of birds seen at this lake includes 39 species which is a 
fair number, there was no abundance of any species. Owing to the char- 
acter of the banks traveling was difficult. The waters of the 
lake harbored little food, and aquatic life was relatively scarce. In the 
dense arbor-vitae woods at the head of the lake the carol of the winter 
wren was frequently heard, while in the cascade the American dipper 
boldly dashed back and forth in the spray. A pair of wandering loons 
once rested over night on the lake. The American golden eye now and 
then made appearance on the lake. Along the shores the spotted sandpiper 
was not uncommon. In the woods Richardson’s grouse and ruffed grouse 
were frequently flushed. A desert sparrow hawk, pursued by pine sis- 
kins, was seen when high up on the mountain. The belted kingfisher 
