May, 1915 
A SUMMER AT FLATHEAD LAKE, MONTANA 
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behind in point of numbers. Tree Swallows ( Iridoprocne bicolor) and Red- 
shafted Flickers ( Colaptes cafer collaris ) were nesting in the fir stubs, and 
several pairs of Juncos ( Junco hyemalis subsp.?) were feeding young out of the 
nest. The number of nesting birds was remarkable and furnished a good 
example of the amount of bird life that a small area can support when it is 
isolated and thus protected from natural enemies. 
On June 30 a party from the station visited Big Fork and Daphnia Pond 
at the north end of the lake. Here I was fortunate in finding three species 
not previously listed from Flathead Lake. The first of these was the Least 
Flycatcher ( Empiclonax minimus). A single individual of this species was in 
the cottonwood trees at the mouth of Swan River and was easily identified by 
the “chebec” call-note, a note which is totally different from that of other 
species of Empiclonax found in this region. 
I am of the opinion that the Least Flycatcher is increasing in numbers in 
Montana, moving westward in its range. Early records of the bird in the state 
Fig. 41. A Bay in Wild Horse Island, Flathead Lake, Mon- 
tana 
are few, but at present it is very common in cottonwood groves in many places 
east of the continental divide, notably at Bozeman, Livingston, Great Falls, 
Choteau, and probably other places. This bird appears to lie the first one 
recorded west of the divide, but if my theory is correct it may be expected to 
become common in the region in the future. 
The second new bird for the region found that day was the Cassin Vireo 
( Lanivireo solitarius cassini). Two individuals were seen in the trees near Big 
Fork. Later I found by careful observation that this bird is a fairly common 
summer resident in the fir forests about the lake. The following day, July 1. 
1 secured one at Yellow Bay for more definite identification. This bird has 
evidently been previously overlooked in the region, owing to the similarity of 
its song to that of the commoner Red-eyed Vireo. 
The third new bird was the Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata 
subsp.?), an individual of which was found in song in a large area of cut-over 
land on the road to Daphnia Pond. This bird was found in the same place a 
