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Breeding Range. (Fig. 158). Small numbers apparently breed locally and irregularly throughout the state. Near Cando in Towner County, a juvenile specimen was collected in August 1891 (Judd 1917). At Fargo, young birds were observed on May 30, 1964 (newly fledged), May 20, 1967, and during June 6-July 4, 1970 (E. G. Anderson); and on May 15, 1973 (J. F. Cassel). At Bismarck on March 12, 1967, a female was observed building a nest in a Scotch pine, about 12 feet above the ground; on April 17, this nest appeared to be nearly complete, and on April 23, a female was observed near the nest tree (W. A. Buresh). During the period May 15-18, 1967 in Bismarck, a young bird accompanied adults to a feeding station, indicating that successful nesting had taken place (Randall 1971). On March 21, 1968, a pair was observed building a nest in Bismarck; and throughout the summer of 1972, flocks containing up to 25 birds were seen regularly (R. N. Randall). During the period May 9-12, 1973, a pair was observed feeding two young that had left the nest at Jamestown (Mrs. S. E. Holaday).

Other records of adults during the breeding season have been reported from scattered localities throughout the state.

Breeding Habitat. Groves of coniferous trees, chiefly spruce; also occasionally found in deciduos woods.

Figure 158. Breeding Range of Red Crossbill.