86 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVIII 
26. This nest was saddled on the horizontal limb of a tamarack at a height of about 
twenty-five feet. It was observed frequently from the day it was found until the young 
flew late in July. 
Passerculus sandwicliensis alaudinus. Western Savannah Sparrow. First noted 
near Somers on June 23. Later found to be fairly common in the vicinity of Poison. 
Specimens were secured at Poison Swamp, July 12, and at Poison, July 27. These birds 
were examined by L. B. Bishop, who states that they are evidently not typical of any 
race. The first is a bird in juvenal plumage, and is nearest to nevadensis. The second, 
an adult, is more like alaudinus. 
Vermivora rubricapilla gutturalis. Calaveras Warbler. There is a specimen of this 
bird in the collection of the University of Montana, taken by Mr. Silloway at Yellow Bay, 
August 6, 1912. This is evidently the first record of the species in Montana. 
Penthestes rufescens rufescens. Chestnut-backed Chickadee. I found this bird 
fairly common in the forests near Yellow Bay, in flocks in company with the Long-tailed 
Chickadee. It was seen frequently, and a specimen secured on June 30.. 
Changes in identification and other notes follow. 
Bonasa umbellus togata. Canada Ruffed Grouse. The bird occurring in this region 
has previously been recorded as B. u. umbelloides. If it is true that umbelloides always 
has a gray tail, then many of the birds of this region must belong to togata , for exami- 
nation of specimens in the University of Montana collection, as well as observations in 
the field, show many birds with reddish-brown tails and the heavily marked under parts 
of togata. In the L. B. Bishop collection are a number of specimens of this bird from 
Columbia Falls, a point about twenty-five miles north of Flathead Lake. Some of them 
are referable to one form and some to the other, yet none of them show enough differ- 
ence to warrant the assumption that there are two forms found in this region. I believe 
that the differences are entirely those of individual variation, but what to call the form 
in this region is a puzzle. 
Pico ides americanus fasciatus. Alaska Three-toed Woodpecker. An adult male, se- 
cured July 1, at Yellow Bay, was identified by L. B. Bishop as of this race. My observa- 
tions in the field also go to show that this is the regular breeding race in this region, in- 
stead of P. a. dorsalis, the birds showing much less white on the back than do those of 
southern Montana. 
Junco hyemalis montanus. Montana Junco. A male bird, secured at Wild Horse 
Island, July 2, proved to belong to this race, and not to J. h. connectens, the race ori- 
ginally attributed to this region. 
Melospiza melodia merrilli. Merrill Song Sparrow. A specimen secured at Poison 
Swamp, July 12, was identified as of this race rather than M. to. montana. Merrilli is 
probably the regular breeding bird of the region. 
Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatus. Western Grasshopper Sparrow. A nest 
of this bird, containing four eggs in an advanced state of incubation, was found at Poi- 
son, July 27. Since I know of no other definite record of the finding of a nest of this 
species in Montana, though the bird’s occurrence in summer has been noted frequently, I 
wish to publish this record here. — Aretas A. Saunders, New Haven, Connecticut. 
Nesting of the Western Bluebird at Ventura, California. — On June 14, 1915, a pair 
of Western Bluebirds ( 8ialia mexicana occidentalis ) were observed feeding their young 
in a crevice under the cornice of one of the office buildings in Ventura. — Ralph Arnold 
and J. R. Pemberton, Los Angeles, California. 
The Belted Kingfisher Wintering in Fresno County. — Sufficient evidence has accum- 
ulated to warrant the statement that Ceryle alcyon winters sparingly in the Fresno dis- 
trict. January 11, 1913, a single individual was seen to fly from his perch on Skagg’s 
Bridge, on the San Joaquin River. January 18, 1913, another was noted on a willow 
tree over a small creek at the edge of the hills north of Sanger. December 24, 1915, a 
Kingfisher flew across the road near a small canal at Firebaugh. January 26, 1916, one 
was noted on a telephone wire near Oxalis, and I was informed that at least two had 
been present all through the winter. The above records would seem to indicate a slight 
extension of the range as given in Pacific Coast Avifauna no. 11, page 76. — John G. 
Tyler, Fresno, California. 
