Flathead Lake Research Articles

Contribution to the Life History of Sorex vagrans in Montana

During the period extending from October, 1948, through the first part of September, 1950, and the summers of 1951 and 1952, the author collected shrews in western Montana for a study of the taxonomic relationships of the Sorex vagrans-obscurus group (Clothier, 1951). The present study is based upon 306 specimens of Sorex vagrans monticola from this series for which sufficient amounts of life history data were available. Of these specimens, 188 were collected by the author, and 118 were obtained from other collectors. Seventy-seven were collected near Missoula, Missoula County, fifty-four were collected near Yellow Bay, Flathead Lake, Lake Co., and 137 were collected in Glacier National Park. An effort was made to collect shrews throughout the year, but most of the specimens were obtained during the spring, summer and early fall months. The numbers collected each month were: January—8, February—16, March—26, April—22, May—12, June—40, July—80, August—46, September—42, October—23, November—5, and December—6. Specimens were prepared as study skins and skulls whenever possible, and in all cases the bodies were fixed entire in an alcohol-formalin-acetic acid mixture (Guyer, 1936) for a few days, then preserved in 70 per cent ethyl alcohol. Acknowledgments .—The author is indebted to Clinton H. Conaway, Charles D. Haynes, and many others who have contributed specimens, and especially to Dr. Philip L. Wright, of the Zoology Department of Montana State University, who not only provided many specimens, but also generously supplied assistance and guidance through most of the period of this study. Age .—The age of all specimens was determined by a method similar to that used by Conaway (1952). Measurements of the heights of several teeth of each specimen were taken with an ocular micrometer used in a ten power binocular dissecting microscope, and totaled to give a tooth wear index. The measurements taken were …

The Breeding Biology of Hammond's Flycatcher

THEn small flycatchers of the genus Empidonax have attracted attention for years because of their abundance and the difficulty of identifying them. In particular Hammond's Flycatcher and Wright's Flycatcher have confounded ornithologists. This study was begun with the hope that a more detailed knowledge of the breeding biology of Hammond's Flycatcher (Empidonax hcammondi) would permit a ready differentiation of the two species. In addition, the comparison of closely related species should produce data with taxonomic and evolutionary implications. Nomenclatural problems also confuse the situation, for Phillips (1939) concludes that Wright's Flycatcher (E. wrighti of the 1931 edition of the A.O.U. Check-List) should be called E. oberholseri. It was obvious from the start that the study of Hammond's Flycatcher would not provide data of statistical proportions unless many people studied the bird for many years. Since such effort is not feasible, this report will be largely qualitative and descriptive. The work was done from late June until August in 1950, 1951, and 1952. The observations were obtained primarily on the grounds of the Montana State University Biological Station at Flathead Lake, Montana. Some data were obtained nearby and in Glacier National Park. Hammond's Flycatchers live in areas of mixed coniferous and deciduous vegetation (plate 12). The frequency distribution of trees in a plot close to the area of observation is given in table 1. Observations in other places suggest, however, that the species of trees are not important so long as the vegetation is fairly dense, is about 40 feet high, and includes both coniferous and broadleaved trees. It should be noted that the flycatchers regularly live near open areas such as roads or lakes. Other species of birds found in this vegetation are: Russet-backed Thrush (Hylocichla ustulata), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula), Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), Solitary and Redeyed vireos (Vireo solitarius and V. olivaceus), and Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus). The methods used to obtain the data were very simple. The observer merely sat or stood at a convenient spot and recorded the events, using binoculars when necessary. No blind was used since the birds are not wary. Most of the data were recorded at time intervals and rough maps showing movements were drawn on the spot.

Postglacial Forests of the Glacier National Park Region

Sphagnumi bogs are not comm-inon in the northern Rocky Mountain region of the United States, and many that do exist are more or less inaccessible with a reasonable amount of time and effort. The writer was fortunate to locate two bogs in Glacier National Park whose sections reveal excellent pollen profiles from which the postglacial forest succession has been reconstructed and the climatic sequence interpreted. These organic sediments have accumulated in Johns and Fish Lakes, both. of which lie about one mile east of the north end of McDonald Lake near the southwest boundary of the Park. Johns Lake lies at an elevation of about 3300 feet. and Fish Lake has an altitude of about 4100 feet and is located about two and one-half miles due south of the former. Both are less than five miles west of the Continental Divide which rises to an elevation of about 8000 feet in this area. The sites of both lakes were overriden by the McDonald Valley glacier which probably was of Late Wisconsin age. McDonald Lake drains into the Middle Fork of the Flathead River which coalesces with the North and South Forks to form the Flathead River which empties into Flathead Lake south of the Park. Johns Lake covers about 5 acres and is bordered by a sphagnum-sedge mat from 10 to 25 feet wide. Typical plants growing on the mat are Drosera xrotmiidifolia L., Potentilla palustris L., Dulichium arundinaceumn (L.) Pritt., Kainia poli-

The Life of Flathead Lake, Montana

The Life of Flathead Lake, Montana

The Life of Flathead Lake, Montana

Ecological MonographsVolume 5, Issue 2 p. 1-163 Article The Life of Flathead Lake, Montana Robert T. Young, Search for more papers by this author Robert T. Young, Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 April 1935 https://doi.org/10.2307/1948521Citations: 13AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume5, Issue2April 1935Pages 1-163 RelatedInformation

A Bacteriological Study of Flathead Lake, Montana

A study of the physical, chemical and biological features of Flathead Lake has been under way for a number of years. This work was sponsored by the Fish and Game Commission of Montana and was carried out by members of the staff of the State University. The bacteriological work forming the basis of this report was done during 1929 and 1930. A map of the lake is appended which shows its shape, the location of streams connected with it, the location of the Stations from which samples were taken and the names of towns and rivers referred to in the text. The lake covers approximately 189 square miles and has a maximum depth of 325 feet, the depth varying widely at different points. Its usual rise and fall is 10 to 13 feet annually. Since the bacteria of lakes in this region have not been studied extensively it is thought that the following notes may be of interest. METHODS

Rhizopoda of the Flathead Lake Region

Rhizopoda of the Flathead Lake Region

Mammal Associations and Habitats of the Flathead Lake Region, Montana

Mammal Associations and Habitats of the Flathead Lake Region, Montana

A Summer at Flathead Lake, Montana

A Summer at Flathead Lake, Montana

Views of the Mission Mountains, Flathead Lake and Valley

Views of the Mission Mountains, Flathead Lake and Valley

The Forests of the Flathead Valley, Montana

1. The Flathead valley is due to a fault, and is technically known as a rift valley. 2. The greater part of it was formerly occupied by a lake. 3. The present drainage system of the valley consists of the Flathead Lake, the Flathead River and its branches, and the Pend d'Oreille River. 4. The Swan River valley, an arm of the Flathead valley, has for its drainage lines the Swan Lake, the Swan River, and the Big Fork River with its branches. 5. These drainage systems are remnants of the former more extensive lake that occupied the valleys.

Silloway's Additional Notes on the Summer Birds of Flathead Lake Additional Notes to Summer Birds of Flathead Lake, with Special Reference to Swan Lake Perley Milton Silloway

Silloway's Additional Notes on the Summer Birds of Flathead Lake Additional Notes to Summer Birds of Flathead Lake, with Special Reference to Swan Lake Perley Milton Silloway

Additional Notes to Summer Birds of Flathead Lake, with Special Reference to Swan Lake Perley Milton Silloway

Additional Notes to Summer Birds of Flathead Lake, with Special Reference to Swan Lake Perley Milton Silloway

Limnological Investigations at Flathead Lake, Montana, and Vicinity, July, 1899

Limnological Investigations at Flathead Lake, Montana, and Vicinity, July, 1899

Flathead Lake Findings

Flathead Lake Findings