JucJd, Elmer T.
List of Month Dakota Birds Found in the Big Coulee, Turtle Mountains Devils Lake Region
and
LIST OF
NORTH DAKOTA BIRDS
Found in the BIG COULEE, TURTLE MOUNTAINS and DEVILS LAKE REGION
As noted during the years 1890 to 1896 and verified in subsequent years to date
1917
LIST OF
NORTH DAKOTA BIRDS
Found in the Big Coulee, Turtle Mountains and Devils Lake Region
As noted during the years 1890 to 1896
and verified in the subsequent
years to date.
PUBLISHED 1917 BY THE AUTHOR
ELMER T. JUDD^
CAN DO, M.**!).
Copyrighted
INTRODUCTION
The following list of North Dakota birds is the result of the observations of several seasons, from the spring of 1890 to 1895 inclusive. The list is a verbatim copy of one written in the winter of 1895-6 but has not been pub- lished until now for various good and sufficient reasons. The list has been supplemented and confirmed by the observations of the succeeding years. A list made from notes made the past few years would show a great difference in its comparative abundance or rarity of certain species, and no doubt such a list with notes will be gotten out by some one in the near future.
In 1895, from the last of March until August 1, my own observations were supplemented and enlarged by reason of a party consisting of Dr. L. B. Bishop of New Haven, Conn,, W. H. Hoyt and John Shaler of Stamford, Conn., N. L. Bigelow of Boston, Mass., and myself, being in the field every day collecting and noting the migratory and breeding species of this territory, and it is safe to say that very few, if any, passed through without some one of the party getting a note of them. Notes were also taken and freely given to me by Mr. E. S. Bryant who was collecting near Freshwater, Dry, and Devils Lakes during the same period, confirming our own observations and adding a few species, as credited to him in the list. Some 230 odd species were given in the first list, but very few of which I have not collected myself. Two of the sub-species were described as new by Dr. Bishop and have since been admitted as good by the A. 0. U. committee on classification of species, namely: the Dakota Song Sparrow and Hoyt's Horned Lark. The list has since been enlarged by the addition of some 20 species and sub-species <is will be noted in the list. In making up the list, I used the nomenclature and numbering as given in the 1895 edition of the Amercan Ornithologists Union's Check list of North American Birds.
The following description of the territory covered by this list was made in 1895-96. A description written now would not be recognized as covering the same country. Taking Cando, Towner County, as a center, a radius of 40 miles would circumscribe the territory covered by this list, and the greater portion of the species noted were taken within a radius of 20 miles. It is classed as rolling prairie with no running streams, except in early spring when the Mauvaise river or Big Coulee and its branches become quite a river while the snow is going off, but they soon run down and during the summer are but little more than a succession of water holes of varying size and depth. The prairies are dotted all over by shallow sloughs formed by the drainage. They usually evaporate by the end of May. They are the favorite feeding places of the Sandpipers and Ducks. In the southeastern part of the county are a succession of lakes of some size, known as Chain Lakes, the largest of which are Lakes Alice and Irwin. Lake Alice is fringed with a growth of trees and bushes on two sides, and is the only place in the county where any trees of size can be found.
A few miles north of Cando is a series of alkali ponds. These are shallow and often dry up in summer time. While there is water in them they are favorite resting and feeding grounds for the Sandpiper and Duck. Twelve miles north is Snyder Lake, some four or five miles in length and a half mile in width at its widest part. The south end is quite deep. The water in this lake is very brackish although there is one quite large spring of good water near the north end. The northern part of the lake is shallow and filled with a growth of grasses and rushes common to this kind of a place. Ducks, Grebes and Coots nest in numbers here, as well as other water loving birds.
From Snyder Lake north there is quite a number of long, narrow sloughs culminating in Rock Lake and probably connected during periods of very
4 BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
high water. This lake is the largest body of water in the county. The water is clear and fresh and is very palatable, the taint of decaying vegetable growth being its only bad feature. It is nine or ten miles in length and in one or two places a mile or more in width. There is a distinct drainage to the north through Badger Creek, Long river, etc. This lake is the summer home and breeding grounds of countless numbers of all the ducks common to this sec- tion. Here also were found, breeding in large numbers, Coots, American Eared and Piedbilled Grebes, Caroline Rail, Wilson Phalarope, Bitterns, Night Herons, and several pair of Canada Geese and Sandhill Cranes. This lake was selected for our headquarters, and nearly all the species in this list were collected or noted around this lake during the season of 1895. The warblers and other wood birds were found on two islands in the lake, the largest being about five acres, the other one acre in extent. They were covered by a thick growth of bushes, principally the Hawthorne and Willows with clumps of Wild Plum, Currant, Raspberry, and Rose bushes, almost impenetrable except where paths had been kept open by stock.
A topographical map of this region would show the prairies around Cando to be of a generally level appearance, slightly rolling to the south and east. To the west and north it is of a more broken and abruptly rolling nature. It is divided and drained by the Big Coulee and its branches. The drainage is to the south and east through the Chain Lakes and into Devils Lake. Nearly all the lands to the south, west and east of Cando are broken up and farmed, making excellent feeding grounds for the migratory birds, and to a limited extent, breeding grounds for a few species. To the north, northeast, and northwest, it is more broken and less thickly settled and affords abundant room for the shyer species to keep well away from the habitations of man.
There is a distinct but gradual rise to the surface of the country north of Cando for about 25 miles to the divide from which the drainage is to the north and northeast into the Pembina river.
To the northwest of Rock Lake the rolling prairies soon merge into the foothills of the Turtle Mountains, and those into the mountains proper. They are but a succession of hills of greater and less size rising to about 400 feet above the surrounding prairies. The soil is sandy, overlaid with a shallow covering of decayed vegetable matter. The numerous hills are interspersed with sloughs and lakes, some of which are quite large and deep. The timber growth is principally a species of poplar and Balm of Gilead, with small tracts of Oak and White Birch. Ash and Elm are found in small clumps or isolated trees amongst the other growth. Willows fringe the lakes. The edges of the cleared tracts and also the burnt over ground have thick growths of choke- cherries, currants, raspberries, mountain cranberries, a sand cherry, June berries, rose, hawthorne, and hazelnut, all of which grow in profusion, making a dense and almost impenetrable thicket. The Mauvaise river has its source in the southeastern part, Willow and Oak Creeks in the south and southwest, and Long river heads in the northwestern part of the mountains.
Devils Lake is about 40 miles to the south and east of Cando. It covers a large tract of ground some 10 by 50 miles in extent. Generally speaking, it is a shallow lake, the water of a strong alkaline nature, and is a mecca for all the water loving birds migrating over this section. Its shore is fringed with a heavy growth of timber and bushes which serve as resting places for the wood loving birds of all kinds. This lake and the surrounding territory is, and probably always will be an ideal place for a collector to put in his time during the migrations.
If it proves to be of any value or interest to fellow students of Ornithology, then my work has not been in vain, and my desire to show the wealth of bird life as I found it in the early settlement of this section has been fulfilled.
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER T. JUDD,
Cando, No. Dak.
NORTH DAKOTA BIRDS
1 — 1. Western Grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis.
Only one specimen taken in Towner County. A set of eggs found at Rock Lake thought to be of this species. A common breeder in Freshwater Lake, Ramsey County.
2—2. Holboell Grebe. Colymbus holboellii.
Common migrant prairie region. Breeding in ponds and lakes of the Turtle Mountains.
3—3. Horned Grebe. Colymbus auritus.
Common migrant. Nesting in Turtle Mountains. No positive instances known of nests found in prairie ponds. First arrivals early in May.
4 — 4. American Eared Grebe. Colymbus nigricollis californicus.
Abundant summer resident. Breeding in colonies in all ponds of prairie region that retain water all summer. This Grebe arrives the last week in April, but does not commence nesting until the first week in June. Their eggs are considered as great delicacies by the half-breeds and Indians, who gather them in large numbers during the early breeding season. One colony contained 40 odd nests in a small patch of grass about one rod wide by four rods long, one to three eggs in each nest.
5—6. Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps.
Common. Breeding in coulee holes and sloughs that have deep water. They appear to avoid the more shallow sloughs and lakes. Probably more common than is evident to the casual observer, as they seem to be of a shyer nature than the Eared Grebes, having the faculty common to all divers, of sinking quietly under water with just the head or bill exposed when alarmed. Earliest records of the first seen in spring being April 27th. Eggs found hatching first week in June.
6 — 7. Loon. Urinator imber.
Common summer resident of Turtle Mountains, breeding in the larger lakes. Sometimes stopping on prairie ponds to rest but no records of their nesting in prairie regions. First migrants noted is April 16th.
7 — 11. Red Throated Loon. Urinator lumme.
A questionable record of five being seen on Big Coulee in late fall migra- tion.
8— 51a. American Herring Gull. Larus argentatus smithsonlanus.
A straggler during early spring migrations.
9—53. California GulL Lams californicus.
Occasionally seen in summer. One shot in June, 1895, while flying over Rock Lake, being first positive record for this region.
10 — 54. Ring-billed Gull. Larus Delawarenses.
A common migrant. Also seen feeding in more or less numbers during summer. No instances of its breeding in Towner or Rolette counties. Found nesting in numbers on islands of Devils and Stump Lakes.
11—59. Franklins Gull. Larus franklinii.
Abundant during migrations in spring and also during July and August when they are seen feeding in large flocks over the grain fields, alighting for rest on the ploughed fields and roads. Their food is principally grasshoppers
6
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
at this season. Many hunters seem to delight in shooting them at this season of th'e year from pure wantonness apparently. As they are useless for food and require no skill to get them, this is a deplorable habit, for they are very beneficial as insect destroyers. No records of their nesting here, but have heard of a large colony breeding near Devils Lake.
12—60. Bonaparte Gull. Lams Philadelphia.
But few stragglers of this species seen during the spring and summer months.
13—69. Forster Tern. Sterna forsterL
An occasional specimen taken. Should be in hand to distinguish from common Tern.
14 — 70. Common Tern. Sterna hirundo.
Tolerably common. Not found breeding in prairie region. May be found breeding in Turtle Mountains. Nesting in some numbers on islands of Devils and Stump Lakes.
Breeding Place of Cormorants on Stump Lake
15—74. Least Tern. Sterna antillanim.
Have a somewhat questionable record of this species.
16 — 77. Black Tern. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis.
Abundant summer resident, nesting in colonies in suitable ponds and sloughs. Average sets of eggs, two, often three. First seen about the third week in May. Nesting commences a month later.
17 — 120. Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax dilophus.
Tolerably common migrant. No records of its breeding except in Devils and Stump Lakes.
18 — 125. American Write Pelican. Pelecanus erj throrhj nchos.
Common migrant, stopping to rest in some of the larger lakes of prairie region. Said to have been found breeding on east end of Devils Lake.
19 — 129. American Merganser. Merganser nmericanns.
Sometimes shot by hunters in the fall.
20 — 130. Red-breasted Merganser. Merganser serrator.
Tolerably common. Migrant especially in the fall.
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 7
21 — 131. Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes eucullatus.
Tolerably common. I have seen one flock of young in the Big Coulee, that I believed to have been hatched close by, and if so, the nest must have been on the ground as there was no timber short of the Turtle Mountains, some thirty miles away. Earliest arrival noted April 10, 1894.
22—132. Mallard. Anas Boschas.
Common summer resident, nesting just anywhere. I have one set of eggs taken from a stack of wheat, twelve feet from the ground in spring of 1892. Notes of first arrivals gives March 16 as earliest date. Full set of eggs seen1 May 20. They stay in fall, feeding on fields until all water holes are frozen. I have a record of one seen flying over town in January during a warm spell of weather.
23—133. Black Duck. Anas obscura.
Have two somewhat questionable records of their being seen here. Alf Eastgate of Stump Lake and Ex-State Auditor H. L. Holmes of Bathgate, have each a mounted specimen.
24—135. GadwalL Anas strepera.
Common summer resident. Nests are found usually not many rods from lake shore in thick grass, and often in clumps of buckbrush. Arriving early in April, nesting commences late in May. Seldom found away from the larger sloughs and lakes.
25 — 137. Baldpate. Anas americana,
Common summer resident. Nests found in thick grass in vicinity of lakes and coulee holes. Adults usually seen in pairs, and as a rule stay with the young all the season, keeping the family flock together. Arriving middle of April in spring migration. Seldom seen after equinoctial storm in fall.
26 — 139. Green-winged Teal. Anas carolinensis.
Tolerably common. A few pair nesting each season. This species are diminishing in numbers quite rapidly in this section, the decrease having been noticeable the past five years. (Now in 1910, I would call it a rare duck during the summer season.)
27—140. Blue-winged Teal. Anas discors.
Very common summer resident, probably exceeding any other species of ducks in numbers. Nests most anywhere in vicinity of water. Arriving about the second week in April, nesting commences the last week in May, continuing well into August. Young in the down are often seen as late as September first. Half-breeds and Indians collect great numbers of Teal and other ducks' eggs for food. Some of them claim that the eggs which are well incubated make the best eating. They usually stop egg-hunting about the first of July, otherwise there would be small chance for the ducks to increase.
28—142. Shoveller. Spatula clypeata,
Very common summer resident. Nests usually placed in thick grass and not very far from water. These ducks when mated soon become familiar with the sight of man, and if not disturbed too often, will allow a very close approach. Arriving the second week in April, full sets of eggs are found by May 20th, according to season.
29—143. Pintail. Daflla acuta.
Common summer resident. This species is among the earliest migrants, and are usually mated when they get here. They commence nesting the earliest of any of the ducks. They nest on the upland prairies in the stubble- fields, and many of them are plowed under and destroyed. I have found nests of this species no less than a mile from the nearest water. Flocks of young birds are often seen full grown early in July.
8 BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
30—144. Wood-duck. Aix sponsa.
I know of but one specimen taken here. A male in moulting plumage was shot in August by Roy Thompson on Rock Lake.
31—146. Redhead. Aythya amerieana.
Tolerably common summer resident. On all the larger lakes nests are found in the thick grass and rushes that grow to from one to three feet of the water. First arrivals noted first week in April. Full sets of eggs found first week in June.
32—147. Canvas-back. Aythya Tallisneria.
Tolerably common. A few pair breed near the deeper water holes, in the coulees and small sloughs. First seen, third week in April. Full sets of eggs found June 16.
33 — 148. American Scaup Duck. Aythya niarilannearctica.
Common. Early spring and late fall migrant.
A Desirable Companion When Collecting Water-loving Birds
34—149. Lesser Scaup Duck. Aythya affinis.
Common. Breeds in all large lakes and sloughs. First migrants in spring seen April 15 to 23 for several years. First nests found second week in June. Have found eggs of this species in same nest with those of other ducks, including Redhead, Ruddy, Blue-winged Teal and others. Whether they preempted the nests of other species, shared in the cares of incubation of the same or left them to the mercies of the other species, was never deter- mined.
35—150. Ringed-necked Scaup. Aythya collaris.
Rare. One pair seen in Big Coulee. Found breeding in Turtle Mountains.
36 — 151. American Golden-eye. Glaucionetta claugula americann.
Tolerably common at Graham's Island, Devils Lake. Rare straggler to prairie waters. Found breeding in Turtle Mountains.
37—153. Buffle-head. Charitonetta albeola.
Rare. Sometimes seen and shot during migrations.
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 9
38—154. Old-squaw. (langula Hyemalis.
E. S. Bryant claims to have found one dead on northwest shore of Devils Lake.
39—165. White-winged Scoter. Oidemia deglandi.
Straggler to our lakes and ponds. Summer resident on Devils and Stump Lakes.
40—167. Buddy Duck. Erismatura rubida,
Very common, breeding in some numbers on all big lakes. An occasional pair nesting in the smaller sloughs and coulee holes. Arrive usually during the latter part of April. Full sets of eggs are found first week in June.
41 — 169. Lesser Snow Goose. Chen hyperborea.
Abundant migrant, spring and fall. Flocks of thousands flying to and from their feeding grounds are a common sight from the first arrivals — in the spring, usually about the last week in March until May 1. A few small flocks stay until June 1, feeding on the young and tender grasses of the prairie sloughs and meadows. In the fall they arrive from the north from the 1st to the 12th of October, the big flight almost invariably reaching here about the 10th. They stay until the water in the lakes freezes.
42 — 169a. Greater Snow Goose. Chen hyperborea nivalis.
Specimens whose size would apply to this sub-species, are shot at all times from the large flocks of the Lesser Snow Geese.
43 — 169b. Blue Goose. Chen coerulescens.
Rare as compared with the Lesser Snow Goose. One to four specimens are usually seen in nearly every large flock of Snow Geese.
44 — 170. Ross' Snow Goose. Chen rossii.
One shot April 22, 1893. Have heard of others being seen. None have come to my notice since.
45 — 171a. American White-fronted Goose. A user albifrons garabeli.
Common migrant, both spring and fall. These geese usually fly in small flocks of ten to twenty, and while feeding in company with the large flocks of snow geese, yet they are independent of the same. As a rule they fly close to the ground. They decoy easily and are a favorite with hunters. Migrations about the same as other geese.
46 — 172. Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.
Common. Breeds. Very shy when wild. They are easily domesticated and then become very tame and familiar with those whom they know. Wild geese lay on an average of four to six eggs, tame ones often lay ten or twelve. Harbingers of spring, this species is well called, for the first continued spell of thawing weather brings them from the south. Noted as early as March 8, and in the fall as late as November 20.
47— 172a, Hutchins' Goose. Branta canadensis hutchinsii.
Common migrant. Usually feed by themselves in small flocks of ten to fifteen. When looking for feed they fly very low and decoy easily. They are also the first out in the morning and evening flights. Often seen or heard before daylight and miles from the lakes they spend the night on.
48 — 172c. Cackling Goose. Granta canadensis minima.
Two specimens shot in 1894 and one in 1895 by Dr. L. B. Bishop. They were assigned to this sub-species. The average hunter would hardly be able to separate this goose from the Hutchins, and they may be more common than they are thought to be.
49—180. Whistling Swan. Olor columbianus.
One specimen was brought to me for identification in the fall of 1894. Shot while flying in two Goose decoys.
10
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
While Crane Once a Common Bird of Our Prairies,
This Specimen Was Taken in 1894 and Is One of
the Last Known Specimens Shot in Towner Co.
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 11
50—181. Trumpeter Swan. Olor buccinator.
Tolerably common migrant in spring and fall migrations. Noted as early as April 13 in the spring, and usually the latter half of October in fall migra- tions. The call-notes of the Swan while flying carry a long way, and one can hear them long before the birds are seen. They seldom fly in greater numbers than four to six.
51—190. American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosis.
Very common. Breeds in grassy sloughs. Usually arrives last week in April. Earliest full set of eggs taken June 18. These birds often fall a prey to the indiscriminate shooting of some hungers. Most bird dogs will trail and point them.
52—191. Least Bittern. Ardetta exilis.
Two seen by Dr. Bishop at Rock Lake, June 20, 1895. Also reported seen around Devils Lake.
53—194. Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.
Rare. Only now and then one is seen from year to year. In recent years this species is found breeding in Turtle Mountains.
54 — 196. American Egret. Ardea egretta.
E. S. Bryant reports one seen at Freshwater Lakes.
55—202. Black-crowned IVight-Heron. ]Vycticorax nycticorax naevins.
Tolerably common. Breeding in colonies in trees on shores of Lake Alice. Also in heavy grass sloughs and thick bushes at Rock Lake. Earliest date for spring migrant, April 24.
56 — 204. TVliooping Crane. Grus americana,
Tolerably common migrant, spring and fall. Probably nests in Turtle Mountains. Earliest arrivals noted April 13.
57—205. Little Brown Crane. Grus Canadensis.
One pair shot out of a flock of ten or twelve, April 18, 1895. Now in collection of H. L. Bigelow, Boston, Mass.
58 — 206. Sandhill Crane. Grus mexicana.
Common. Breeds in county. Nests located in isolated sloughs that con- tain more or less water. The fall flights are often very large and Crane- shooting is good. In some localities they do considerable damage, as a flock will pull down and scatter the grain after it has been cut and shocked. I have caught them with steel traps on their feeding places. Earliest spring migrants noted April 6. A full set of eggs found June 9.
59—208. King Kail. Rallus elegans.
Bryant claims to have seen one at Freshwater Lake.
60—212. Virginia Rail. Rallns yirginianus.
Not common and noted only in fall migrations, and then usually in grain fields or stubble. A very shy bird but easily identified in flight.
61 — 214. Carolina Rail or Sora. Porzana Carolina.
Very common. Nearly every slough containing water as late as June will have one or more pair nesting. I have found nests in grass growing in two feet of water. A full set of eggs contains from eight to fourteen. They arrive the second week in May and their noisy clatter may be heard until after the nesting season. They are not easily flushed, and therefore are much oftener heard than seen.
62—219. Florida Gallinule. Gallinula galeata,
Bryant claims to have seen them at Freshwater Lake. A straggler of doubtful identification.
12 BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
63—221. American Coot. Fulica americana.
Abundant. Breeds in numbers in all large sloughs, and many of the smaller ones. Very prolific layers, and do not seem to get discouraged at the number of times their nests are robbed. We estimated that at least 3000 eggs were taken by half-breeds and Indians around Rock Lake in the early summer of 1895. Probably the noisiest and most pugnacious of the water birds. I have watched a couple of male birds fight for over an hour. First migrants noted last week in April. Full sets of eggs found May 24.
64—223. Northern Phalarope. Phalaropus robatns.
Tolerably common spring migrations. Not noted in fall. Arrive the third week in May and stay but a few days, usually in the more open alkali ponds.
65—224. Wilson's Phalarope. Phalaropus tricolor.
Common resident. We found it breeding in numbers in favorable locali- ties around Rock Lake. Nests are situated not far from the water, on level, moist ground, as a rule. Nearly always in a thick growth of grass, a very slight attempt at nest building being made. In several instances eggs were found in such positions as to show that they had been moved by the birds for some reason — a habit attributed to them by other observers. The eggs usually number four, and are of a very marked similarity in general, but each set has an individuality of its own. Our observations led us to think that they did not try to lay a second set when, for any reason, their nests were broken up, and that at that time they also left the country or went into the thick, grassy portions about the lake and kept out of sight. First arrivals noted May 1. Eggs found first week in June. A very interesting species to study.
66 — 225. American Avocet. Recurrirostra americana.
A comparatively rare species, haunting the vicinity of alkali lakes. Un- doubtedly breeds, as a female taken May 15 by Dr. Bishop had an egg full- formed which would probably have been deposited that day or the next. Not seen in the fall.
67—230. Wilson's Snipe. Gallinago delicata.
Moderately common migrant. Were very common from July to October in 1893, feeding in wet, grassy sloughs. Not seen at all during the dry sea- sons of 1890-1891, nor were they common in 1894-1895. Have been told that they were very plentiful in 1886. (Since found breeding in Turtle Mountains in some numbers.)
68 — 232. Long-Wiled Dowitcher. Macrorhamphns scolopacens.
Moderately common. Irregular migrant in late summer.
69—233. Stilt Sandpiper. Micropalama himantopus.
A small flock seen May 27, 1895, and another flock or two the last week in July migrating south, comprise the records for this species.
70—239. Pectoral Sandpiper. Tringa maculate.
Abundant migrant. They arrive the last week in April, and are found feeding until well along in May, around all the shallow sloughs that abound all over the prairies during the spring, in wet seasons, and especially the alkali flats.
71_240. White-mmped Sandpiper. Tringa fuscicollis.
The most abundant migrant of the sandpiper family. First seen as early as April 19 on their northward journey. They feed there until the middle of May.
72—241. Baird's Sandpiper. Tringa Bairdii.
Common migrant. Arrives from the south the third week in April. They are to be found feeding or coursing swiftly over the prairies until about the middle of May.
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 13
73—242. Least Sandpiper. Triuga minutilla,
Fairly abundant migrant. First arrivals, May 2, staying from three to four weeks. As a rule they feed around the shores of alkaline ponds, often in shallow ponds of the prairie.
74— 243a. Red-backed Sandpiper. Tringa alpina pacifica.
Fairly common migrant in 1895. Like most of the other sandpipers, they are found around alkaline, or ponds that are free from vegetable growth. An observer must put in a great deal of his time around such, if he wishes to catch a glimpse of most of the sandpiper family.
75—246. Semipalmated Sandpiper. Ereunetes pusillus.
Equals the Least Sandpiper in numbers. This species reaches here about the time the Least begin, to leave, and takes the place of that Sandpiper around the lakes and ponds. This species can hardly be distinguished from the other except by close observation.
76—247. Western Sandpiper. Ereunetes occidental!*.
Found with the last, which they closely resemble. 77—248. Sanderling. Calidris arenaria,
Not common, only an occasional small flock being seen around the alkali
ponds. First date seen, May 28.
78—249. Marbled Godwit. Liraosa fedoa. §
A few pair breed in this county. Commonly seen in pairs in spring migrations. They assemble in quite large flocks in late summer at the larger lakes before going south. Spring migrants first seen early in May.
79—251. Htidsonian Godwit, Limosa haemastica.
A fairly common migrant in 1895. First seen April' 24. 80 — 254. Greater Yellow-legs. Totanus melanoleucus.
Fairly common migrant. First noted in third week in April. From the first of June they can be seen singly and in pairs, feeding with flocks of the Lesser Yellow-legs. After the tenth of July, a few male and barren female birds are noted migrating south. «
81 — 255. Lesser Yellow-legs. Totanus flaripes.
Common migrant. Arrives in flocks about the twentieth of April. They are seen almost anywhere until along in May. Their noisy whistle is missed until early in July, when a noticeable southern movement commences.
82—256. Solitary Sandpiper. Totanus solitarins.
Tolerably common around Rock Lake. Also seen in other suitable locali- ties. Will undoubtedly be found breeding in Turtle Mountains.
83— 258a, Western Willet Symphemia semipalamata inornate.
Common summer resident. Nests seldom located. One found was at a great distance from water. Arrives the first week in May. Conspicuous from their size and their loud, shrill cries of "per-willet," "per-willet." Some- times called silver-wing snipe by hunters presumably on account of the large white patch on the wings, seen while flying.
84—261. Bartramian Sandpiper. Bartramia longicaiida,
Abundant summer resident, nesting on upland prairie, and is one of the most noticeable birds of the prairies. Arriving the last. week in April, they feed in flocks until late in May when they pair off and nest. The male birds are seen flocking together late in June and early July, and commence migrat- ing south. Female and young are very shy, and disappear so gradually that their leaving is scarcely noticed until they are all gone. (In 1910 one would say that this species was uncommon for where once were small flocks, now only pairs are seen and they seem to be growing less in numbers very rapidly.)
85—262. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Tryngites subnificollis.
A few single birds and one large flock seen the last week in May, 1895.
1-4
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
Ferruginous Rough-leg' Hawk's Nest and Eggs
The Author With a Set of Swains on Hawk's Eggs Showing Nest and Female Bird
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 15
86—263. Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularia,
A rare bird on the prairies. More common in and near Turtle Mountains where it undoubtedly breeds. One pair unquestionably nested at Rock Lake — 1895.
87—270. Black-bellied Plover. Charadrius squatarola.
Tolerably common migrant, usually flying in very small flocks or singly. Sometimes seen with the Golden Plover. First seen the last week in May.
88—272. American Golden Plover. Charadrius dominicus.
Common migrant. Very erratic in its general movements. Arrives usual- ly the second week in May. They are seen feeding around for two or three weeks, frequenting burnt over ground and wheat fields. A number of flocks seen moving south early in July, 1895.
89—273. Killdear. Aegialitis vocifera.
Common resident in summer, breeding in some numbers. Their noisy presence is made very apparent when one gets within half a mile of a nest. First arrivals noted March 30. They herald their coming by loud and repeated series of the cry peculiar to themselves and from which they derive their name.
90 — 274. Semi-palmated Plover. Aegialitis semipalmata.
Rare. One seen by Dr. Bishop at Rock Lake, May, 1895.
91—277. Piping Plover. Aegialitis meloda.
Noted at west end Devils Lake.
92— 277a, Belted Piping Plover. Aegialitis meloda circumcincta.
Noted at west end Devils Lake near Graham's Island.
93 — 283. Turnstone. Arenaria interpres.
Tolerably common around Rock Lake in 1895.
94_289. Quail. Colinus virginianus.
Admitted on hearsay. Heard of a flock of a dozen near Grand Harbor 1894-1895 presumably shipped in and turned loose there.
95_300b. Gray Buffed Grouse. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides.
Common in Turtle Mountains. Have not taken any specimens myself, but a collection of tails, spread and dried, seen in a settler's cabin, shows both the light and dark forms of the Ruffed Grouse.
96 — 305. Prairie Hen. Tympanuchns americana,
Common summer resident, and if it continues to increase as it has in the past five years it can soon be classed as an abundant bird of this section. Earliest dates of arrival noted are March 26 and April 1.
97—308. Sharp-tailed Grouse. Pedioecetes phasianellus.
Some of the winter birds of the Sharptailed Grouse are assigned to this species.
9^ — 308b. Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse. Pedioecetes phasianellus cempestris.
The most abundant of the Grouse family and seen the year round, but the winter birds are thought to be those raised farther north. There appears to be a marked migration of this sub-species. As the prairies are settled and broken up for grain fields, this species gives way to the prairie hen, which was practically unknown here in the early 90's.
99_316. Mourning Dove. Zenaidura macroura.
Tolerably common summer resident. Nests both on the prairies and in the Turtle Mountains. First week in May is when the spring migrants are first seen.
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
An Eminent Ornithologist and His Special Care, Group of Young Ferruginous Rough-leg Hawks He Was Raising for Purpose of Study-
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 17
100—325. Turkey Vulture. Carthartes auro.
A straggler to the prairie region. Tolerably common around Devils Lake.
101-331. Marsh Hawk. Circus hudsonius.
Very common summer resident. One of our earliest spring migrants and one of the most familiar of birds, as they are seen at all hours of the day hovering over their feeding places. Arriving early in the spring and staying late in the fall, they kill and devour great numbers of gophers, mice, and now and then a small bird or young prairie chicken. Nest built in the shal- low sloughs of prairies, three to five eggs.
102—332. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipter yelox.
Rare. Two specimens secured in 1895.
103—334. American Goshawk. Accipites atricapillus.
Have seen head and feathers of two shot by George Dale in north end of Towner county.
104—337. Bed tailed Hawk. Buteo borealis.
Common migrant. Breeds in Turtle Mountains and timber around Gra- ham's Island, Sweetwater and other lakes. Both the true borealis and its sub-species Kriderii are found here, and probably types of both will be found intermingling and breeding. Flocks of six to ten are seen during migrations in spring.
105— 337a. Krider's Hawk. Buteo borealis kriderii.
Remarks on borealis will apply to kriderii.
106 — 342. Swainson's Hawk. Buteo swainsoni.
An abundant summer resident, nesting wherever there are bushes large enough to hold a nest. Also found nesting in tall trees in edges of Turtle Mountains. Arriving usually early in April, nest building does not progress very rapidly until well along in May. Sets of eggs have been found of from one to four. In July there appear on the prairies a large number of these hawks, evidently from one to two years old. • They do not seem to be in flocks at all, still there are so many of them that it would appear as though they had come from somewhere together. They are at this time either stupid or very fearless, for they are easily approached and large numbers of them are shot by hunters and left to rot where they fall. They evidently come here for the feed, as there is a bountiful supply in the shape of gophers, mice, toads, etc. In the early fall they disappear as mysteriously as they came, going during the first few days in September, but very few being seen after that. Many phases of melanistic plumage are seen at this time and some approach very closely to a perfect melanism. I have not observed anything approaching albinism in all the birds I have seen of this species.
Writing in 1910 about this species one would say that they were a rare bird and not found nesting at all, neither is there any evidence of a summer flight of these birds.
107-^343. Broad-winged Hawk. Buteo latissimus.
A fairly common straggler. No evidence of its breeding here has been noticed.
108 — 347a. American Hough-legged Hawk. Archilmteo lagopus saucti-Johannis.
A very early spring and late fall migrant. Tolerably common. Do not tarry any great length of time. First seen in spring the last days of March.
109 — 348. Ferruginous Kough-leg Hawk. Archibuteo ferruginus.
Very c'ommon summer resident, breeding in considerable numbers in the hills in the northern part of the county. Choose retired and isolated hills on which to place their nests. First seen early in April. Full sets of eggs are found late in May.
18
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
110—352. Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.
Not common. Breeds. A young bird taken from a nest in the Turtle Mountains in 1890 was seen at Hurricane Lake. Two were seen in 1895, one of which was taken near Rock Lake.
Ill — 355. Prairie Falcon. Falco inexicanus.
Common. Especially during August and September. This is the only species of Hawks that I have seen taking toll from the poultry yards. Have seen them swoop down after their prey in the main street of the town.
112—356. Duck Hawk. Falco peregrinus anatum.
Not common. Several seen during the season. One female taken in June, 1895, by Dr. Bishop.
113—357. Pigeon Hawk. Falco columbarius.
Hawks seen flying at a distance assigned to this species. Rare, if it occurs at all.
A Camp in Turtle Mountains Collecting in 189E
114 — 360. Sparrow Hawk. Falco sparverius.
Very common summer resident Turtle Mountains, nesting there and in timber on Graham's Island. Migratory across prairie regions only. First seen second week in April.
115 — 364. American Osprey. Pandlon haliaetus carolinensis.
Rare. One seen at Snyder Lake April 24 and again on May 28, 1895.
116 — 366. American Long-eared Owl. Asio wilsonianus.
Not common. One nest found May 25, 1895, in bushes along Big Coulee in northern part of county.
117 — 367. Short-eared Owl. Asio accipitrinus.
Common summer resident, usually appearing third week in April. Full set of eggs found May 18.
118—371. Rachardson's Owl. Nyctala tenginalmi richardsoni.
Rare winter resident and migrant.
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 19
119—372. Acadian Owl or Sawwhet. Xyctala acadica,
Rare. Taken in winter only.
120— 375a. Western Horned Owl. Bubo \irginianus subarcticus.
Common. Resident of Turtle Mountains. Breeds. Nests found with eggs in February and March.
121—376. Snowy Owl. Nyctea nyctea.
Common winter resident and migrant. Seen here from October to May. (One seen at Rock Lake July, 1910.)
122— 377a. American Hawk Owl. Surnia ulula caparoch.
Rare. One specimen taken in fall 1902.
123 — 378. Burrowing Owl. Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea.
Common summer resident. Breeding. More commonly seen late summer than at other times. They are apparently migrating at that time.
124 — 387. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus americauus.
E. S. Bryant claims to have taken this species at Freshwater lakes.
125—388. Black-billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus.
Tolerably common summer resident in Turtle Mountains. Seldom seen while migrating.
126—390. Belted Kingfisher. Ceryle alcjon.
Tolerably common migrant. Rarely found nesting.
127 — 393a. Northern Hairy Woodpecker. Dryobates villosus leucomelas.
Tolerably common resident Turtle Mountains. Migrant over prairies. Breeds.
128 — 394. Downy Woodpecker. Dryobates pubescens.
Common summer resident Turtle Mountains. Migratory only through prairie regions stopping to feed occasionally around buildings and fences. First seen middle of May.
129—400. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. Piccides arcticns.
Rare. Bryant collected one spring 1894.
130—402. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus yarius.
Summer resident of Turtle Mountains. Most common species of the wood- pecker family. Breeds.
131 — 406. Red-headed Woodpecker. Melanerpes erythrocephalus.
Rare. A straggler from the Red River flight.
132—412. Flicker. Colaptes auratus.
Common summer resident Turtle Mountains. Breeds. Migratory only across prairies.
133—417. Whip-poor will. Antrostomus \ociferus.
Admitted on testimony of Mr. T. W. Conyers who told me that he both saw and heard the bird; was on his yard fence in Cando. Rare. Mr. Seton Thompson in his Birds of the Northwest, gives this species as common in the Long River Gorge. This is just north of the Turtle Mountains. No records of its being seen or heard in the Turtle Mountains.
134-^120. Sighthawk. Chordeiles \irginianus.
Common summer resident. Breeds.
20
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
135— 420a. Western Nighthawk. Chordeiles virginianus henryi.
Intermingling and breeding with virginianus. Dr. Bishop has a series of skins which are redescribed and admitted as Bennett's Nighthawk, and same will be found, I think, to be the predominating nighthawk in this region.
136—423. Chimney Swift. Chaetura pelagica.
A rare straggler. Does not occur every year.
137—428. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Trochilus colubris.
Not uncommon on prairies. Tolerably common and breeds in Turtle Mountains.
138 — 444. Kingbird. Tyrannus tyrannus.
Very common summer resident. When trees or bushes are not at hand, they build their nests on plows, binders, in the tin eave gutters, and I have a record of one nest built on the ground on the bank overhanging a coulee bed. For a long term of years first notes of spring migrants of this species were made on either the 17th or the 19th day of May.
As We Ranged the Prairies Collecting- in 1895
139 — 447. Arkansas Kingbird. Tyrannus rerticalis.
Common around Devils Lake. Rare at Cando and north up to 1895. (In 1910 they equal the Kingbird in numbers around Cando.) Another instance of the changes in the avi fauna as the country settles up.
140—452. Crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus.
Rare. Several specimens have been taken in Turtle Mountains.
141-456. Phoebe. Sayornis phoebe.
Rare. But one specimen for this locality, April, 1895.
142—461. Wood Pewee. Contopus virens.
Admitted to list, but data on this species very incomplete.
143—463. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Empidonax flaviventris.
Rare. Breeding in Turtle Mountains.
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 21
144—466. Traill's Flycatcher. Empidonax traillii.
Common migrant prairie region. Breeds in Turtle Mountains. Earliest migrants, May 8.
145 — 467. Least Flycatcher. Empidoiiax minimus.
Tolerably common summer resident of Turtle Mountains and woods around Devils Lake. First seen June 4. Eggs found June 29.
146 — 474b. Prairie Homed Lark. Otocorus alpestris practicola.
Tolerably common. Breeds. Very early spring migrants, coming in pairs and commencing to prepare a nesting place soon after.
147 — 474c. Desert Horned Lark. Otoceris alpestris arenicola.
This light colored form is more common than practicola, but does not appear in the spring migrations until much later, usually arriving here already mated and prepared for the business of reproduction.
148—474. Hoyt's Homed Lark. Otocoris alpestris hoytii.
Common in flocks. Late fall in southern migration and late winter in the northern movement. This larger and darker form of this species was described and named by Dr. Bishop in 1895 and since admitted in the A. O. U. lists. One of the few species that can be classed as a winter resident, some years much more so than others.-
149-^177. Blue Jay. Cyanocitta cristata.
Tolerably common migrant of the prairies. Summer resident of the Turtle Mountains where it nests in some numbers.
150 — 484. Canada Jay. Perisoreus canadeusis.
Rare. Found in both summer and winter months in Turtle Mountains. Straggler to prairie regions.
151 — 487. Northern Raven. Corvus corax principalis.
Very rare, if at all. An occasional bird seen in very early spring, assigned to this species.
152 — 488. American Crow. Corrus americana.
Tolerably common summer resident. Arrives early in April, often in March. Nests are found in bushes along the coulees and in the Turtle Moun- tains.
153 — 494. Bobolink. Dolichonyx oryziYorus.
Common summer resident. First seen early in May. Nests in all suit- able localities in June. Nest and eggs not easily located.
154—495. Cowbird. Molothrus ater.
Abundant summer resident. First seen about first of May. Nearly all, if not all of the small birds of the region assist in propagating 'this species.
155—497. Yellow-headed Blackbird. Xanthosephalus xanthocephalus.
Abundant summer resident. Nests in colonies. Have counted over 120 nests in a patch of rushes not larger than 10 rods by 1 rod in one of the coulees. First seen third week in April.
156—498. Redwinged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniseus.
Common summer resident. Appear as early as first week in April.
157 — 501b. Western Meadowlark. Sturnella magna neglecta.
Common summer resident. First appearing about the first of April. Their cheerful notes are heard until late in fall.
158—^506. Orchard Oriolo. Icterus spurius.
Rare on prairie. Found breeding around the large lakes to the south. Not found in Turtle Mountains.
22 BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
159—507. Baltimore Oriole. Icterus galbula.
Tolerably common migrant over prairies, nesting in timber on shores of large lakes, and In Turtle Mountains.
160—509. Hasty Blackbird. Scolecophagus carolinus.
Very common migrant. Arrives about first week in April. They are found in flocks feeding on the grain fields, commonly not far from waterholes. Going north about the second week in May, they return in the fall early in Sep- tember, staying until snow flies or until all water is frozen.
161 — 510. Brewers Blackbird. Scolecophagus cyanocephalns.
Tolerably common migrant. A few pair usually breed on the outskirts of the Turtle Mountains.
162 — 511b. Bronzed Grackle. Quiscalus quiscula aeueus.
Tolerably common summer resident arriving from the south about the middle of April. Found nesting in suitable localities.
Sioux Indians, Full Bloods, Some of the Eg-g- Hunter of Rock Lake, Spoken of in List
163 — 514. Evening Grosbeak. Coccothraustes respertinns.
Rare straggler. Only two or three records in a number of years in early spring.
164—515; Pine Grosbeak. Pinicola enucleator.
Irregular winter visitant in small flocks.
165 — 517. Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpurens.
Rarely seen on the prairies. Breeds in Turtle Mountains. Tolerably com- mon there.
166 — 521. American Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra minor.
Rare visitor. A juvenile specimen taken in August, 1891.
167—522. Whitewinged Crossbill. Loxia leucoptera.
A small flock seen in latter part of July, 1895. Probably a family.
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 23
168— 527a» Hoary Redpoll. Acanthis hornemanuii cxilipes.
Rare winter visitant. Usually found with flocks of the common Redpoll.
169—528. Redpoll. Acanthis linaria.
Common winter visitant and migrant in early spring and late fall.
170—529. Goldfinch. Spinus tristis.
Tolerably common. Breeds in Turtle Mountains, migratory prairie regions.
171 — 534. Snowflake. Plectrophenax nivalis.
Abundant migrant. Winter resident some years. Usually comes from north early in October, going north in spring. Last seen fore part of May.
172 — 536. Lapland Longspun Calcarius laponicus.
Abundant migrant. Arriving from the south from the 12th of March on, they are seen in flocks of hundreds as soon as the snow is all gone. They feed on the newly seeded fields, picking up the uncovered grains of wheat, weed seeds, and insects. Called by some farmers "wheat birds." They are thought by some to do great damage, and may have done so in the days of the broadcast seeder. An examination of the crop and gizzards of these show an enormous number of weed seeds and small insects, showing that they are beneficial rather than harmful in any way. Returning from the north in September, they are commonly seen till about November 1.
173—537. Smith's Longspun Calcarius pictus.
Common migrant. This species seems of a more retiring nature than the others of this genus. They are seldom seen unless flushed from the stubble they usually feed in. Not often seen on the grass of the prairies. Not seen at all in the wooded sections.
174 — 538. Chestnut collared Longspun Calcarus ornatus.
Abundant summer resident. This most ubiquitous of our small birds is the most conspicuous of the ground-nesting species. The males spend much of their time in the air near the nesting site, singing as they soar at some height from the ground their pleasing and cheerful song, only heard during the nesting season. They come late in the spring and stay until well along in October.
175 — 539. McCown's Longspun Rhynchophanes mccownii.
Tolerably common summer resident. Nests usually found in growing grain, though they commence nesting before same is hardly up. Sometimes called butterfly birds from their habit of rising from the ground, and after their song is finished coming down with wings set much as a butterfly does. (This species has become more and more rare as the country has settled until now it is rarely seen 1910.)
176 — 540. Vesper Sparrow. Pooecetes gramineus.
Fairly common. Nests around the towns, farm buildings, but seldom or ever on the open prairie.
177 — 540a. Western Vesper Sparrow. Pooecetes gramineus confinis.
Intermingling with the true Vesper, if not confounded at times with the same. It needs the birds in hand to separate one from the other.
178 — 542a. Savanna Sparrow. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna.
Common summer resident, nesting in numbers in all suitable localities. 179—545. Baird's Sparrow. Ammodramus bairdii.
Common summer resident nesting in suitable places, often times several pairs in the same meadow.
180 — 546a. Western Grasshopper Sparrow. Ammodramus savannarum (per- pallidus.)
Not common. Probably breeds as B. S. Bryant gives it as a common breeder in Freshwater Lake.
24 BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
181 — 548. Lecontes Sparrow. Ammodramus leconteii.
Common migrant and thought to breed here, but so far have been unable to locate a nest. They frequent the dry sloughs where high grass gives them their favorite feeding. They are seldom seen unless being looked for.
182 — 549a. — Nelson's Sparrow. Ammodramus caudacntus nelsoni.
Tolerably common migrant, but rarely seen. May be found breeding.
183 — 553a. Harris' Sparrow. Zonotricliia querula.
Common migrant. This, one of the largest sparrows, is conspicuous while it tarries here. Spring migrants come in about May 1, and in the fall arrive from the north about the 10th of September.
184—554. White Crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Tolerably common migrant in spring.
185 — 554a. Intermediate Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys intermedia.
Several specimens taken assigned to this sub-species.
186—558. White-throated Sparrow. Zonotrichia alMcolis.
Tolerably common migrant on prairies, breeding in Turtle Mountains.
187 — 559a. Western Tree Sparrow. Spizella monticola ochrace;i.
Common migrant spring and fall, usually in April, not tarrying for long either in the spring or fall flights.
188—560. Chipping Sparrow. Spizella socialis.
Not common. Said to breed near Devils Lake.
189—561. Clay-colored Sparrow. Spizella pallida.
Common summer resident. Very shy on their breeding grounds, keeping well hid in the low shrubbery, weeds" and grass that they frequent. Spring migrants first seen the first of May. They keep more or less in flocks until nesting begins. Fall movement noticeable the middle of September.
190 — 567. Junco. Junco hyemalis.
Common migrant, especially so in spring. Have seen them as early as February 26. They are common late in March and early in April. They either go south very quickly through here or take another route as they are not near as common as in the spring flight.
191—581. Dakota Song Sparrow. Melospi/a fasciata juddii.
This sub-species, described and named by Dr. L. B. Bishop, discovered in Turtle Mountains where it is a common summer resident. Rarely seen on the prairies and then only during migrations.
192—583. Lincoln's Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii.
Tolerably common migrant frequenting the thick grasses growing along coulees. They are only seen when flushed, and so far as I have been able to note they have no song while here. First arrivals rioted from 1st to 21st of May for several years. Seldom seen in the fall.
193 — 584. Swamp Sparrow. Melospiza georgiana.
Tolerably common migrant on the prairies. Probably breeds in Turtle Mountains. A full plumaged male bird taken there second week in July was in full song. First seen in spring as early as April 27. A shy bird, one needs to hunt for them if he wishes to see them.
194—585. Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca.
Rather rare migrant. Earliest dates seen April 20 and 29. Seldom noted in fall.
195—587. Towhee. Pipilo erythrophthalmus.
Rare. May be found breeding in Turtle Mountains.
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 25
196—588. Arctic Towhee. Pipilo niaculatns arcticus.
Rare straggler. One specimen taken assigned to this species.
197—595. Bose-breasted Grosbeak. Habia ludoYiciana.
Tolerably common summer resident in Turtle Mountains. Migratory only on prairies. Earliest notes of spring migrants 5th to llth of May.
198—598. Indigo Bunting. Passerina cyanea.
Rare. Seen only occasionally. (Bryant found them at Freshwater.)
199 — 604. Dickcissel. Spiza americana.
Rare. Small flock seen in 1891. Is only record I have, three full-plumaged males being taken at that time in southeastern part of county on Big Coulee.
200 — 605. Lark Bunting. Calamospiza melanocorys.
Common summer resident, nesting in old fields left for summer fallowing. Many are plowed up and destroyed before the eggs have hatched. Arriving after the middle of May, they nest late in June. Have a pure Albino skin of this species taken in August, 1890.
201 — 608. Scarlet Tauager. Piranza erythronielas.
Rare. Seen only in Turtle Mountains. May be found breeding there some years.
202—611. Purple Martin. Progne subis.
Common summer resident of Turtle Mountains, nesting in hollow trees. Migratory only in prairie regions.
203—612. Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon lunifrons.
Common summer resident nesting in suitable localities. Probably a dozen or more colonies known in the county. First migrants noted May 24th.
204^613. Barn Swallow. Chelidon erythrogastra.
Common summer resident. Spring migrants first seen second week in May, staying in fall as late as October 20.
205—614. Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor.
Common summer resident of wooded regions. Migratory over prairies. Arrives from the south the first week in May and stays until the first heavy frosts of fall.
206—616. Bank Swallow. Clivicola riparia.
Common summer resident of prairies. Not noted in Turtle Mountains. Nests in all suitable places. First noted third week in May as a rule.
207 — 618. Bohemian Waxwing. Ampelus garrulus.
Irregular winter visitant in small flocks.
208—619. Cedar Waxwing. Ampelis cedrorum.
Tolerably common summer resident of the Turtle Mountains. Migratory over prairie regions. So erratic in their movements as to make records of their migrations difficult to obtain.
209—621. JVorthern Shrike. Lanius borealis.
Tolerably common. Early spring and late fall migrant.
210—622a, White-rumped Shrike. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides.
Not at all common. Have found them breeding on shores of Lake Alice.
211—624. Red-eyed Yireo. Yireo olivaceous.
Common summer resident of Turtle Mountains. Only occasionally seen during migrations on prairies.
26 BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
212^-626. Philadelphia Yireo. Vireo philadelphicus.
Not uncommon as a summer resident of the Turtle Mountains. Undoubt- edly nests there, but none found as yet.
213—627. Warbling Vireo. Yireo gihus.
Not common. Found nesting in wooded regions.
214—628. Yellow-throated Yireo. Yireo flavifrous.
Rare. Taken in July in Turtle Mountains. Juveniles seen.
215—636. Black and White Warbler. Mniotilta varia.
Tolerably common summer resident of Turtle Mountains. Migratory only on prairies. First spring migrants noted on May 11.
216—646. Orange-crowned Warbler. Helminthophila celata.
Tolerably common migrant. Taken as early as May 8.
217—^47. Tennessee Warbler. Helminthophila peregrina.
Tolerably common migrant usually seen first of June.
218—650. Cape May Warbler. Dendroica tigrina.
Rare migrant. Taken as early as May 13.
219—652. Yellow Warbler. Dendroica aestiva.
Common summer resident. Found nesting along coulees and suitable places in prairie region also in Turtle Mountains.
220—655. Myrtle Wrarbler. Dendroica coronata.
The most abundant of the warblers during the migrations, both in prairie and wooded districts. Notes of first seen give last week in April.
221—657. Magnolia Warbler. Dendroica maculosa,
Rare. Several taken second week in May, 1895. Migrant only.
222—659. Chestnut-sided Warbler. Dendroica pennsybanica.
Common migrant over prairies. Nests in Turtle Mountains. First arrivals noted first of June.
223—660. Bay-breasted Warbler. Dendroica castanea.
Very rare. Only one authentic record — a fine male specimen taken May 11, 1895 on an island in Rock Lake.
224—661. Blackpoll Warbler.. Dendroica striata.
Equals if not surpasses in numbers the Yellow-rumped Warbler in the wooded districts, but not as common on the prairies. Earliest spring migrants seen first of May.
225—^62. Blackburnian Warbler. Dendroica black burn iae.
Given as rare by Bryant at Freshwater Lake.
226—672. Palm Warbler. Dendroica palmarum.
Rare migrant Noted from 1st of May.
227 — 674. Oven-bird. Seinnis anrocapillus.
Rare summer resident of Turtle Mountains.
228— 675a. Grinnel's Water Thrush. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis.
Common at Rock Lake between May 9 and June 20, also in Turtle Moun- tains during July, undoubtedly nesting there at that time. This species is very shy and retired in its habits and much more common than it would appear to be to any except the most careful observers. They have a very pleasing song during the nesting season. Roy Thompson found nests and eggs of this species in 1909-10 at Fish Lake, Turtle Mountains. Author found
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 27
a nest with 3 eggs July 15, 1916. Only known records. Nest and eggs seen in Turtle Mountains near Fish Hatchery and photographed on July 12, 1916. Nest was in bank of a newly dug ditch resting on a small shelf, where side of ditch had caved off. Eggs apparently about two-thirds incubated, nest composed of small sticks, rootlets, bark and moss.
229—679. Mourning: Warbler. Geothylpis Philadelphia.
Tolerably common migrant on prairies. One of the most common summer residents of the Turtle Mountains. Their song, which is very clear and dis- tinct, has three very distinct variations, all ending, however, in the same manner, which is the distinguishing part. The bird is much oftener heard than seen. While we knew them to be nesting all around us, a careful search failed to reward us with a nest and eggs. A brood of young just from the nest were seen in July. They were most commonly found in tracts that had been cut over and were then growing up to sprouts and brush of all kinds. Earliest arrivals from the south noted first week in June.
230—681. Maryland Yellow-throat Gfeothlypis trichas.
Common summer resident of prairies and the Turtle Mountains. Breed- ing. Earliest date of arrival in the spring May 3.
231—685. Wilson's Warbler. Sylyania pusilla.
Rather rare migrant. Usually seen latter part of May.
232—687. Redstart. Setophaga omticilli.
Common migrant of prairie and summer resident of Turtle Mountains, Graham's Island and other wooded tracts. Arrives third week in May.
233 — 697. American Pipit. Anthus pennsylvanicus.
Regular migrant in spring. More common in the September movement to the south. Not noted in the wooded regions.
234—700. Sprague's Pipit, Authus spraguli.
Fairly common summer resident. This species was not noted for several years, but after their song was learned I find them every year. Seldom seen on the ground. I do not know when they come or go, but their song is not heard until July. They are found near the low alkali flats or meadows. One is able to locate them high in the air during the song season. They appar- ently stay up for hours at a time.
235—704. Catbird. Galeoscoptes carolinensis.
Tolerable common summer resident of this territory. First notes taken third week in May for a number of years.
236 — 705. Brown Thrasher. Harporhynchus rufus.
Rather rare. Probably nest in Turtle Mountains as it is usually seen during the breeding season. On the prairie they are an irregular migrant. First spring notes running from May 13th to June 29th.
237—715. Rock Wren. Salpinctes obsoletus.
But one known record. I took a specimen in spring of 1896. At the height of a southeast storm it appeared around a woodpile in my yard ap- parently blown out of usual haunts to the south by the high winds.
238— 721b. Aztec House Wrren. Troglodytes aedon aztecus.
Very common summer resident of Turtle Mountains, nesting in hollow trees and around the buildings of the settlers. More of a migratory bird on the prairies, but now and then a pair finding a nesting site. Coming the middle of May, they commence housekeeping soon after.
239—722. Winter Wren. Troglodytes hiemalis.
Rare. Now and then one seen. May be more regular as a migrant than I have noted.
28 BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA
240—724. Short-billed Marsh Wren. Cistothorus stellaris.
Breeding. Locally common. Nests in small colonies in thick high grass near sloughs. Earliest arrivals from the south noted May 6th to 23rd.
241—725. Long-billed Marsh Wren. Cistothoms palustris.
Locally common. Nests in high rushes wherever found. Coming from their winter haunts with the preceding species, they fool away a great deal of time building nests before they finally get down to the business of raising a brood of young.
242—726. Brown Creeper. Certhia faniiliaris americana.
Rare. Irregular migrant. No known instance of its breeding.
243—727. White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.
Tolerably common migrant. Presumably breeding in Turtle Mountains as specimens were taken in July.
244—728. Bed-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.
Not uncommon during the fall flights in September and October. Not noted in spring migrations.
245— 735a. Long-tailed Chickadee. Parus atricapillus septentrionalis.
Rather a common resident in Turtle Mountains. Rarely seen on prairies. Have some winter notes for Turtle Mountains indicating that it may be a winter resident some years.
246—748. Golden- crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa.
Only one record of this species being seen near Cando.
247—749. Ruby-crowned Kinglet regulus calendula.
Tolerably common spring migrant.
248— 756a. Willow Thrush. Turdus fuscesceus salicicola,
Common migrant on prairies. Abundant summer resident of Turtle Moun- tains.
249—775. Graycheeked Thrush. Turdus alicia.
Common migrant. First seen second week in May.
250— 758a. Olive-backed Thrush. Turdus ustulatus swainsonii.
Rare spring migrant. Not noted in fall.
251— 761.— Robin. Merula migratoria.
Tolerably common migrant. One pair known to have nested in Cando in 1893. Also found breeding in the Turtle Mountains. (In 1910, now one of our most common nesting birds around Cando.
252—766. Bluebird. Sialia sialis.
Rare summer visitor. Some years not seen at all. This is another species that is becoming more common as the country settles up.
252—768. Mountain Bluebird. Sialia arctica.
Rare early spring visitor. Irregular in its appearance here.
ADDENDA English Sparrow. Passer domesticus.
A flock of eight arrived in the town of Cando in late fall of 1894. They were the first seen in this section, but few were raised in 1895. Now in 1910, they have become the unmitigated nuisance, they are everywhere. Building their unsightly nests in trees as well as in the barns, granaries, and other farm buildings, and usual or unusual places of the city buildings where they are allowed to gather in flocks. Around the farm buildings they do a great
BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 29
deal of damage not only to the buildings, but to fruit trees and bushes, to the growing and shocked grains, and when they have access to granaries they eat but little except the grains in store. Have seen but one habit they have that could be set down as a credit: on my farm I have noticed them feeding their young with the tent caterpillar.
253—315. Passenger Pigeon— Ectopistes Higratorius.
The only record of this bird that I have in North Dakota was furnished by Mr. J. F. Rickbeil who was living near Cavalier, Pembina Co., N. Dak., in 1880-81. He tells me that in those years he saw a number of flocks of 50 to 100 in a flock. These pigeons came out of the timber and brush along the Tongue River and fed off the shocks of wheat in latter part of August and September, and that on several occasions he shot them. Mr. Rickbeil had known and shot numbers of the Wild Pigeon in Southwest Canada in his younger days, so that there can be no question as to the identity of the birds.
254 — 373. Screech Owl. Megascops Asio.
Have two records of this species. One killed and mounted by Alf East- gate at Stump Lake and one seen and watched for quite a few minutes on November 10th, 1916, in fruit trees on my lots in Cando. Have looked for them for many years but above was the only time I have ever seen one in North Dakota.
255 — 475. American Magpie — Pica pica hudsonica.
Have not seen these myself but have records from Eastgate and C. H. Canfield who has seen them in Turtle Mountains, also one mounted specimen taken there, now in Citizens Bank of Bisbee, this County.
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