Hurt by oil of birds

　　
　　BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - One of seven oil companies charged with killing migratory birds during drilling operations in North Dakota has agreed to plead guilty.
Slawson Exploration Co. Inc., of Wichita, Kan., was charged under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with killing 12 birds in oil waste pits in western North Dakota from May 6 through June 20.
Under a plea deal filed in federal court Monday, Slawson will pay $12,000 to the nonprofit National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The maximum penalty for each misdemeanor charge is six months in prison and a $15,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon said he could not comment on the deal because it still must be approved by U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland in Bismarck.
Stu Kowalski, an attorney for Slawson, also declined to comment.