126 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XVI 
been destroyed by repeated fires, but in other parts, particularly about the 
headwaters of the Sun River, there are extensive forests of evergreen trees. 
In the Transition zone the principal trees are the Limber Pine {Pinus 
flexilis) and the Douglas Fir {Pseiidotsuga taxifolia). The first forms rather 
extensive but open forests of crooked and stunted trees along the eastern bor- 
tler of the mountains. The latter occurs on north slopes and along streams, 
and extends up into the Canadian zone. The most extensive mountain forests 
lie in the Canadian zone. The principal trees in these forests are the Douglas 
Fir, Lodgepole Pine {Pinus murrayana) and Engelmann Spruce {Picea engel- 
tnanni). In the Hudsonian zone most of these species occur as stunted trees, 
and Avith them are also the White-bark Pine {Pinus alhicaulis), Alpine Fir 
{Abies lasiocarpa) , and Mountain Larch {Larix lyalli). 
The observations in this list ivere made by myself during a period from 
June 21, 1911, to March 3, 1913, during which time I was assigned to work on 
the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Most of the observations in the prairie 
region were made in the vicinity of Choteau, a small but groAving jirairie tOAvn, 
the county seat of Teton County. The altitude there is about 3800 feet. 
Southeast of Choteau are tAvo conspicuous buttes, knoAAui as Rattlesnake and 
Priest buttes, Avhich rise to a height of 4500 feet. At the foot of Priest Butte 
lies a group of three alkaline lakes, knoAvn as the Priest Butte Lakes (see fig. 
41 ) . One of these is of considerable size, and all of them attract numerous 
AA’ater birds, particularly during the migrations. 
Another point of interest Avithin this region is the WilloAV Creek Bird 
ReserAmtion, an area set aside by the government, originally in the interests of 
the Reclamation Service, but noAv also as a bird reservation. This area, Avliich 
is in the prairie region, lies near the tOAvn of Augusta. I haA'e not had oppor- 
tunity to visit it during the breeding season, but have seen numerous Avater 
birds there during migrations. It contains one large lake Avhich is frequented 
l^y many species of ducks, SnoAV Geese, and Whistling Swans. The birds 
recognize the j^rotection afforded by this area, and flock there in preference 
to nearby areas that are otherAvise similar. This area Avill be of great value 
in preserving such breeding species of this region as the CurleAv, Avoeet and 
various species of ducks, all of which are becoming less abundant as the set- 
tlement of the region advances. 
My observations in Teton County Avere largely confined to the southern 
portion. It is quite probable that the county Avill be divided in the near future 
and the northern portion given some other name. In that case the observa- 
tions in this list, except those from the vicinity of Lubee and the Tavo Medi- 
cine RiA'er, aaTII still apply to Teton County. The county at present includes 
that portion of the Glacier National Park Avhieh lies east of the continental 
divide. Some previous ornithological Avork has been done there by Mr. George 
Bird Grinnell, and the results published in early numbers of Forest and Stream. 
I have been unable, hoAvever, to obtain access to these publications, so am not 
aAAmre of just Avhat they contain. I believe that work has also been done in 
this region by the Biological Survey, but most of the records are unpublished, 
in previous publications on birds in this region, I have spelled the name of 
i he county seat of Teton County as Chouteau, rather than Choteau. Both 
spellings have been used commonly, and the first adopted by the post-office 
authorities. Since my publication, hoAvever, the tOAvn has been incorporated, 
and Choteau has been officially adopted. Unless otherwise stated, migration 
dates in this list Avere obtained at Choteau, or in the immediate vicinity. 
