May, 1915 
BIRDS OF KOOTENAI COUNTY, IDAHO 
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cottonwoods along bank of Spokane River; small flock seen in willow thicket, Fernan 
Lake, September 6. 
Hesperiphona vespertina montana. Western Evening Grosbeak. Common resident. 
Large flocks frequently observed in city limits during the fall and winter, feeding in 
pines. Their loud whistling notes are often heard in the spring, after which they appear 
to break up into small flocks or pairs, and retire to the heavy timber in the mountains, 
returning again in large flocks the latter part of September. Male and female together 
noted August 19, on high wooded ridge near Fernan Lake. Flock of about 30 young- 
seen September 1; one young female collected. 
Carpodacus cassini. Cassin Purple Finch. One pair observed in city limits June 
18, 1914. 
Loxia curvirostra minor. American Crossbill. Common resident; numerous flocks 
seen in city limits throughout the fall and winter, retiring to the wooded hillsides dur- 
ing nesting season. Females with young able to fly noted May 4. February 21, 1913, I 
noted a pair of crossbills carrying nest material — long blades of dry grass obtained from 
small spots where the snow had melted — up into a dense-crowned tall lodgepole pine. I 
was unable to locate any nest, and on returning the next day failed to find any further 
evidence of nesting, not seeing the birds again in same locality. 
Acanthis linaria linaria. Redpoll. Not common winter visitor. Small flock ob- 
served in city limits, April 15. 
Astragalinus tristis pallidus. Western Goldfinch. Not common summer resident. 
A pair noted on brushy hillside, June 14; from their actions judged them to be breed- 
ing, but was unable to locate any nest. 
Spinus pinus pinus. Pine Siskin. Abundant resident. Common in city limits; 
young Siskins able to fly, noted June 17. 
*Passer domesticus. English Sparrow. A small flock arrived in the spring of 1909. 
They have multiplied rapidly and are now very common within the city limits; also in 
other towns in the county. A favorite nesting site is the top fold of awnings after these 
have been rolled up during the winter. In the spring, when the sun grows bright and the 
awnings are lowered, sparrow nests in various stages of construction, eggs, and often 
young birds, are scattered along the edge of the street curbing. 
Plectrophenax nivalis. Snowflake. Rare irregular winter visitor. One specimen 
seen. 
Passerculus sandwichensis alaudinus. Western Savannah Sparrow. Common sum- 
mer resident of the meadows. Several specimens taken September 29, in small meadow 
near Garwood. 
Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli. Gambel Sparrow. Abundant fall migrant. Ob- 
served in large numbers during the months of September and October in thickets and on 
brushy hillsides. 
Spizella passerina arizonae. Western Chipping Sparrow. Abundant summer resi- 
dent. First arrivals noted by middle of April, becoming common by first of May. Young 
and old congregate in large flocks along edges of fields and thickets from early part 
of August to latter part of September, when they begin to migrate; one seen October 8. 
Nest with four eggs found in spirea bush, June 11; nest with half-grown young found in 
haw bush, June 14; young able to fly June 18. 
Junco hyemalis montanus. Montana Junco. Common summer resident, arriving 
as early as February 22, becoming common by first week in April. Pair noted gathering 
nest material March 27; five nests, each containing five eggs, examined May 8; young 
able to fly, May 19; nest with five newly hatched young, June 18; nest with five fresh 
eggs, June 27. The Juncos begin to congregate in flocks along roadsides and thickets 
by the middle of August, and migrate early in October. 
Melospiza melodia merrilli. Merrill Song Sparrow. Common summer resident in 
swamps and thickets along mountain streams and lakes. A few remain throughout the 
winter in sheltered situations. Often seen around old brush-piles and outbuildings with- 
in the city limits during the winter. 
-Melospiza lincolni lincolni. Lincoln Sparrow. One specimen taken in grassy 
meadow near Garwood, September 29, 1914. 
Pipilo maculatus montanus. Spurred Towhee. Common summer resident of the 
bi ushy hillsides and draws, arriving by April 15- Last seen September 3. Young first 
brood, able to fly, May 18; second brood, June 30. 
