Page:Condor16(3).djvu/40

 138 THE CONDOR Vol. XVI Ammodramus bairdi. Baird Sparrow. Observed in migrations Septem- ber 4, 1911, and May 23, 1912. Possibly a summer resident. A sparrow nested in the grass about the borders of alkaline ponds which I was unable to identify. I heard the song, which was unfamiliar to me, frequently. I am not acquainted with the song of the Baird Sparrow, but believe it likely that it was this species. Chondestes grammacus strigatus. Western Lark Sparrow. Seen once near Choteau, July 18, 1911. Zonotrichia leucopln7s leucopln7s. White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli. Gambel Sparrow. Apparently both of these birds are summer residents in the mountains, and migrants in the prai- ries. I observed Z. I. leucophrys very closely on the Teton River in the summer of 1911. These birds were about one of the Ranger Stations, and came to pick up oats in a corral where horses were fed. They became so tame, that they would almost eat out of my hand. In June, 1912, I secured specimens of Z. l. gambeli on Birch Creek. Two varieties of songs from this species are to be heard in this region, and I believe that they belong to the two different sub- species. The song which evidently belongs to gambei is like that of leuco- phrys, but'shorter, with three or four of the terminal notes omitted. I have never heard any but the longer song in southern Montana, where I believe only leucophrys breeds. Migration dates of birds seen in the prairies, without at- tempt to separate the two forms are: October 1, 1911, and May 8 to 28, 1912. Spizella monticola ochracea. Western Tree Sparrow. Common winter visitor on the prairies. Migration dates: October 1, 1911, and April 3, 1912. Spizella passerina arizonae. Western Chipping Sparrow. Common sum - mer resident of evergreen forests in the mountains. Rarely a summer resident of cottonwood groves in the prairies. Common in both places in migration. Migration date: May 18, 1912. Nesting begins early in June, and young are on the wing in July. Spizella pallida. Clay-colored Sparrow. Abundant summer resident of the prairies, nesting in patches of cinquefoil and buffalo-berry bushes. Mi- gration date: May 12, 1912. Spizella breweri. Brewer Sparrow. Rare summer resident. I observed a pair of these birds in a patch of buffalo-berry bushes along the Teton River near Choteau, several times in June and July, 1912. Junco hyemalis hyemalis. Slate-colored Junco. Rare migrant on the praries. Observed November 7, 1912, near Choteau. Junco hyemalis montanus. Montana Junco. Common summer resident in the mountains. Rather rare migrant on the prairies. Migration date: April 2, 1912. In this region the great variety of juncos, so common in south- ern Montana during migrations, is lacking. Probably most of the other forms breed farther to the westward, and move that way as /hey go north, thus en- tirely avoiding this regi6n. Melospiza melodia montana. Mountain Song Sparrow. Rare summer resident, in the mountains, in willow thickets along streams. Seen most fre- quently in the southern part of the region, which is probably about the north- ern limit of its breeding range. A migrant song sparrow was observed near Choteau, May 8, 1912. My attempt to secure this bird failed, but I believe it probable that it belonged to another race, perhaps M. m. juddi. Melospiza lincolni lincolni. Lincoln Sparrow. Common summer resident