708.* Puffinus borealis Cory. Northern Shearwater.
717.* Œstrelata gularis (Peale) Brewster. Peale’s Petrel.—Robert Ridgway, Washington, D. C.
Notes on Some Birds of the Belt Mountains, Montana Territory.—The following observations were made in the southern range of the Belt Mountains, latitude about 46° 30′, some miles to the west and south of the head-waters of the Musselshell, from which the land, intersected by frequent smaller streams, gradually rises to the foot of the low mountains, which are mostly forest-clad and of some 6,000 feet elevation. The streams have little or no timber save in the mountains or among the foot-hills where scattering firs appear; but willows grow in dense thickets along the bank, striving apparently by numbers to make up for any lack in size.
The notes extend from June 22 to July 3, 1880, three days excepted, when the writer was absent. All the birds were found within an area of a square mile, perhaps less, but the locality was unusually favorable, including several patches of burnt timber, a large open tract stretching up the mountain side to almost the summit, and two streams flowing in rather open cañons with clumps of willows on either bank.
Several interesting birds which were sought for unsuccessfully at this time I have since found in the Belt Range, viz. Cinclus mexicanus, Cyanocitta stelleri (macrolopha?) and Tetrao canadensis franklini. Skins of most of the species mentioned were preserved.
1. Turdus migratorius propinquus.—Common. A bird nesting June 25.
2. Turdus fuscescens.—Found only in the cañons. Common.
3. Sialia arctica.—Nesting in deserted Woodpecker’s holes.
4. Regulus calendula.—Everywhere among the firs.
5. Parus montanus.—Common. It never whistles more than two successive notes, at least I have never heard it.