WOODPECKERS 217 



always have a great deal to say, whether it be in a canyon of the 

 Guadalupe Mountains in New Mexico, where their chatter interrupts 

 the solemn hooting of the band-tailed pigeon, or on the campus of a 

 California university, where much is to be learned by silent listeners. 

 But their small talk never seems to interfere with their work, and 

 the acorn-filled tree trunks and telegraph poles attest their industry. 

 Of all our woodpeckers they are the prime storers, and though they 

 do not live in a land of snow, ground squirrels infest most of their 

 territory and make it important to have secure cupboards. Dr. 

 Mearns says their stores are the source of unending (luarrels between 

 them and their numerous pilfering enemies, and confesses that when 

 short of provisions in the mountains he himself has filled his saddle- 

 bags with acorns from under the bark of a pine. The birds are true to 

 their Melanerpes instincts, although they do spend so much of their 

 time storing acorns, and vault into the air after insects in regulation 

 flycatcher style. 



407a. M. f. bairdi Bidgw. Californian Woodpeckek. 



Like M. forwicivortis, but with heavier bill and chest band solid black. 



Distribution. — Breeds in Upper Sonoran zone of the Pacific coast region 

 from Oreg-on south to northern Lower California. 



Xest. — 15 to 25 feet from the groxuid in oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods. 

 willows, and telegraph poles. Eygs : usually 4 or 5. white. 



Food. — Acorns during the greater part of the year ; also grasshoppers, 

 caterpillars, ants, beetles, flies, small fruits, berries, and green corn. 



Subgenus Asyndesmus. 



Bill combining characters of Colapt&s and Melanerpes : wings long, fold- 

 ing nearly to end of tail ; feathers of under parts and nuchal collar bri.stly. 



408. Melanerpes torquatUS (Wils.). Lewis Woodpecker. 



Adults. — Upper parts iridescent greenish black except for gray collar; 

 face dull crimson ; throat and chest _^^€" .l " 



gray changing- to soft rose on belly ; 

 plumag-e of lower parts harsh and hair- 

 like. Young : head without red, neck 

 without coUar, under jiarts with less 

 red. Lf-ngth: 10.50-1 1.50. wing (1.5()-i).S0. tail 4.40-4.T(». 



histrilmtion. — Breeds in Transition and Ujiper Sonoran zones from 

 Black Hills and eastern sloj)e of Kotky Mountains to Pacific slope; from 

 southern parts of British Columbia and Alberta to Arizona; winters in 

 southern California and western Te.xas ; casual in western Kansas. 



Nest. — Oto 100 feet from the ground, usually high up in tall pines or 

 cottonwoods, or in decayed branches or stumps of oaks, sycamores, junipers, 

 and willows. Kggs : usually or 7. white. 



Food. — In summer maiidy insects, siu-h as gTasslio])pers. crickets, ant.s, 

 beetles, flies, larv;e, ac-orns. pine seeds, wild berries, and in cultivated 

 districts fruit. 



When yi)U reach the inoimtaiiis on the west-bound Overland. 'fro^n 

 the ear windows you reeogni/e with delight the crow like figure of 



