PICID^ — THE WOODPECKERS — PICUS. 379 



ests. It is very industrious, and not easily frightened when engaged in its 

 laborious hammering on the bark of trees, allowing a very near approach, 

 though, like all woodpeckers, somewhat suspicious and wary when pursued. 

 On April 20, 18G2, I discovered a burrow of this bird near San Diego, in 



Female. 



a rotten stump only about four feet above the ground, and captured the 

 female on the nest. It contained five pure and pearly white eggs, wliich is 

 the number and character of those laid by aU of the small woodpeckers, as 

 far as known. 



This species apparently remains throughout the year in the ^•alleys, and 

 migrates little if at all. I have not observed it west of the Coast Eange, 

 except near Santa Barbara, nor have I seen any around gardens or orchards. 

 None have been observed north or east of this State, the P. scalaris taking 

 its place east of the mountains. 



Picus scalaris, Wagler. 



THE AEIZONA WOODPECKER. 



Pints scalaris, Wagler, Isis, 1829, V. 511. (Mexico.) — Bonaparte, Consp. 18S0, l.'iR. 

 Picus (Di/cliopicus) scalaris, Bonaparte, Consp. Zygod. Atcn. Itiil. 18.54, 8. — Baird, P. R- 



Rep. IX. Birds, 94. — Heehmann, X. v. 18; VI. 57. — U. S. and Mex. Buimd. lii'p. 



II. iii. 5 ; pi. iii. 

 Picus parvus, Cabot. — Picus Dairdii, Sclater. — Picus vaijalus, and Orizabie, Cassin. 



Sp. CH.i.R. Back ban(k'il transversely with black and white to the neck. Black and 

 white bands of b.ack about equ.al. Crown crimson spotted with white, from the bill to the 

 nape ; tuft of feathers at the base of the bill brown. A white stripe above the eye, con- 

 tinued on the side of the neck ; another under the eye, interrupted by the black of the 

 side of the head. Under parts smoky brownish-white, spotted on the sides of the breast, 

 and banded on the flank with black. Predominating color of the three outer tail feathers 



