Jan., 1912 
SOME BIRDS OF SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA 
25 
Bonasa umbellus togata. Canadian Ruffed Grouse. Common permanent resi- 
dent throughout the region. To date I have not met B. ii. iimbelloidcs anywhere 
in southwestern Montana, but all the birds I have taken or seen closely have been 
referable to B. u . togata. I believe that further investigation will show that F3. u. 
umhelloides is a bird of lower elevations, occurring commonly in eastern and north- 
western Montana but entirely replaced by B. a. togata in southwestern Montana, 
where even the valleys are mostly above 4500 feet in elevation. 
Pedioecetes phasianellus (subspecies?). Sharp-tailed Grouse. Resident of the 
Jefferson and Deer Dodge valleys. Now quite rare in the latter place. I have taken 
no specimens and am not certain which subspecies the birds are referable to. 
Centrocercus urophasianus Sage-hen. Hunters familiar with this region in 
the past, state that the Sage-hen was formerly abundant in tlie sage-brush plains 
about Silver Bow. It is now probably entirely extinct in the region. 
Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Mourning Dove. A common summer resi- 
dent of the valleys. Migration dates are May 29, 1910, September 26, 1910, and 
April 29, 1911. The latter is an exceptionally early date. 
Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. Seen November 1, 1910, on 
a high divide between Dry Cottonwood Creek and Brown’s Gulch, the boundary 
line of Deer Dodge and Silver Bow counties. Mr. George Norton, a forest ranger 
stationed on Dry Cottonwood Creek, states that these birds are permanent residents, 
and that he believes that a pair breed each year on a high hill back of his station. 
Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. Summer resident in the valleys. Breeds 
commonly in the marshes near Anaconda. Most abundant and noticeable in August 
and September. 
Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Common summer resident. I found 
several broods of young with their parents, in thickets of young spruce on Gold 
Creek, Powell County, in August. Seen once in winter at Silver Bow,Januarj^ 2,1911. 
Accipiter cooperi. Cooper Hawk. Summer resident throughout the region but 
rather commoner in migration. 
Buteo borealis calurus. Western Red-tail. Common summer resident in the 
mountains. Migration dates are April 5, 1910, and October 9, 1910. 
Buteo swainsoni. Swainson Hawk. Seen but twice, at Silver Bow April 8, 
1910, and in the lower Deer Dodge valley August 17, 1910. 
Archibuteo ferruginous. Ferruginous Rough-leg. Quite common about Gold 
Creek, Powell County, in August, 1910. Seen but once elsewhere, on Pipestone 
Creek, Jefferson County, October 9, 1910. 
Aquila chrysaetos. Golden Eagle. Seen only in Deer Dodge County. Said to 
be quite common on the Big Hole River in the southwestern part of the county. 
Falco mexicanus. Prairie Falcon. Seen quite commonly about Gold Creek, 
Powell County, in July and August, 1910. 
Falco peregrinus anatum. Duck Hawk. Observed in spring migrations in 
several places in Deer Dodge and Silver Bow counties, on March 23, and April 19 
and 20, 1910, and April 23, 1911. 
Falco spar verius phalaena. Desert Sparrow Hawk. Common summer resident 
in the valleys. Migration dates are April 27, 1910, and September 25, 1910. 
Paudion haliaetus carolinensis. Osprey. Seen on the Big Hole River, Silver 
Bow County, May 1 and 6, 1910. 
Asio wilsonianus. Dong-eared Owl. One secured on Mill Creek, Deer Dodge 
County, August 27, 1909. Another seen near Homestake, Jefferson County, June 
25, 1910. In both cases the birds came about our camp fire in the early evening, 
apparently attracted by the light. 
