162 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVIII 
regions of the Rockies, and its avifauna has probably been little changed 
through human agencies. At Riverside the elevation of the river is about 
3200, and at Cabin Parks about 3500 feet. The mountains enclosing the valley 
rise to about 8000 feet. Western larch and Douglas fir are the principal tree 
species, with a mixed stand of western white pine here and there, and with 
Engelmann spruce at the higher altitudes. Open burns and grassy mountain 
parks occur quite frequently, though the valley is essentially a forest cov- 
ered region. 
Mergus americanus. Merganser. Common in small flocks. Seen at Coalbank, 
Cabin Parks and Spotted Bear. One flock of seven appeared at camp, attracted by 
trout entrails thrown into the river. Their ability as swimmers was well demonstrated 
by the ease with which they made headway against the swift current of the river. 
Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus. Western Solitary Sandpiper. Two birds seen 
at Cabin Parks. 
Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper. Common along the river at all camps. 
Canachites franklini. Franklin Grouse. The “Fool-hen” was quite common along 
the main trail and elsewhere. 
Bonasa umbellus, subsp. Ruffed Grouse. The Ruffed Grouse was nearly as com- 
mon as the Franklin, and found frequenting the same localities. 
Buteo borealis calurus. Western Red-tail. One seen at Riverside. 
Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus. Bald Eagle. One seen near Riverside. 
Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. One found dead in the trail near Coalbank. 
Falco sparverius, subsp. Sparrow Hawk. One seen at Hungry Horse Ranger 
Station near Riverside. 
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. Osprey. Well distributed along the river. Two 
old nests were noted. 
Otus asio, subsp. Screech Owl. The familiar calls of screech owls were heard at 
Cabin Parks and Spotted Bear. 
Bubo virginianus, subsp. Western Horned Owl. The hooting of Horned Owls was 
heard several times. Presumably pallescens. 
Ceryle alcyon alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. Common all along the river. 
Dryobates villosus monticola. Rocky Mountain Hairy Woodpecker. Common 
along the river trail, and noted at 6500 feet in Silver Basin. 
Picoides arcticus. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. 
Picoides americanus dorsalis. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker. Both species of the 
three-toed woodpeckers were quite common in the vicinity of Coalbank where there 
was considerable bug-infested western white pine. Two of the Arctic Three-toed Wood- 
peckers were also seen at Cahin Parks. 
Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis. Red-naped Sapsucker. One bird seen in a clump of 
aspen at Spotted Bear. 
Phloeotomus pileatus abieticola. Northern Pileated Woodpecker. Quite common 
and well distributed throughout the valley. 
Colaptes cafer collaris. Red-shafted Flicker. Common along the main trail. 
Chordeiles virginianus henryi. Western Nighthawk. Common at all camps. 
Swift. Swifts were seen flying overhead at Cabin Parks but were not identified. 
Tyrannus tyrannus. Kingbird. One seen at Riverside. Flycatchers of any type 
were notably lacking throughout the trip. 
Cyanocitta stelleri annectens. Black-headed Jay. A few were seen at Coalbank 
and Riverside. Not numerous. 
Perisoreus canadensis capitalis. Rocky Mountain Jay. Common. 
Corvus corax sinuatus. Raven. Common and very noisy. Usually seen close to 
the river. 
Nucifraga Columbiana. Clarke Nutcracker. Common and noisy. 
Molothrus ater ater. Cowhird. One which was seen at Coalbank persisted in 
alighting on the backs of the horses. 
Pinicola enucleator montana. Rocky Mountain Pine Grosbeak. Two seen in Doug- 
las fir on Spotted Bear Mountain. 
Carpodacus cassini. Cassin Purple Finch. One seen at Coalbank. 
Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. One male and two females were seen 
