Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-08-03

eggs taken in a small mud puddle in
the road, but has not been taken on
the wing, Since these larvae were
exceedingly abundant in the puddle,
and are no doubt as abundant in 9TH
er puddles and ponds. it Is quite pos
sible they may be on the wing later.
The four remaining species have thus
far not been definitely determined.
have been sent 10 Washington for
identification. One of the four is the
species that Is so troublesome In the
vicinity during the month of July.
Many inquiries have been made as 10
the cause of the absence of mosqui-
toes this season. and many opinions
have been expressed. The prevailing
opinion seems 10 he that the absence
oi nigh water is the cause Of the
shurtness of the mosquito crop. This
is true ouly in part. II the rivers or
lakes overflow and leave ponds where
ilsh or other forms OF life are absent
il viii give Il good breeding place for
mosquitoes. High water in tho rly-
2rs or lake. proper nave nothing
Whatever 10 llD with the abundance
of mosquitoes. Ponds. lakes or pools.
whether resulting from overflow or
not which contain fish or other forms
OF aquatic life. are moi likely To have
mosquito larvae in quantity. The alb
ScuCc of mosquitoes is due almost en-
tircly, IT not entirely, 10 the abundance
OF rainfall this spring. The mosquito
crop largely frum small and
temporary pools and puddles, where
other forms Of insects do not have
time To mature. Tho mosquito has
a shorter period Of life in water than
most insects, shorter than that of any
Of its enemies, and can live where
few other forms of life will be found.
The absence OF these small pools due
to the lack of rainfall has removed
the natural homes Of me larvae and
none have matured. Clearing the
region of undorbrush so the sun may
dry mp the puddlcs, draining the
swamps and burning debris has done
much 10 reduce the number of mos
q%uit0cs, and continuance of this meth
cd will materially abate the nuisance.
Principal p. NJ. Silloway, OF Lewis
town. who has been at work at the
station for several weeks. has had
some excellent results. The black
chinnod humming bird. Trochilus
! AlCYnndri, was taken during the past
week, as it lowered above the flow
crs on The banks Of tie Swan river.
1t undoubtedly nests in the neighbor.
hood. although the nest has not yet
been found, While this beautiful
! hummer was expected in the region,
50 far as can be determined from the
information at hand it has not before
been reported as occurring in the
| state. The orange crowned warbler,
IlclminthOphila celata. was found this
year. Diligent search has failed to
reveal the nest. although the bird un.
d~oubtcdly nests. The males are in
song and are quite common. II is
quite possible that il has been pres.
ont in previous years. although not
taken heretofore. The entire absence
OF mosquitoes this season has made
il possible to search the swamps. The
collector has been able to go any
place without interference, which is
something unprecedented. A third in.
teresting find is the Tennessee warb.
Ter, Helminthophila peIegrina. This
is also a swamp bird. The female
was found carrying nest material. al.
though the nest has not been found.
Like the orange crowned warbler, this
has without doubt been here before,
but not found because of the impos.
sibility of searching the swamps in
previous years. The nest and eggs
Of the varied thrush. Ixorens naevius,
was found, which is an excellent
catch. DIR. Merriam has reported il
from the Bitter Root mountains. but
it has not before been noted as nest.
ing this far east. Il is distinctly a
western bird, and Flathead Lake is so
far as known its extreme eastern linn.
ii for nesting. The finding of the
nest 50 late in the season, the middle
of July, is interesting. as it has been
considered IN early bird. Dissection
of the American crossbill, Loxia curv.
irostra minor, shows that they are
apparently nesting at the present
time. late in July. This is remark.
able. as the crossbill nests early in
the season. in February or March. II
seems apparent that there must be
two broods of this species in the reg
ion. The males are in song. and the
females contain eggs. The long-tailed
chat, lcteria virens longiconda. which
was found last year for the first time,
is entirely absent this season. For
this no ~assignable cause is seen at
this time. The summer birds of Flat
head Lake now number i4O. 1877 hav.
ing been observed during previous
seasons. win three added as the re-
suit Of the work of this season up
to the present writing. Two fine
specimens OF the northern flying
squirrel were taken. The exact sta
ms of this animal has not been de