258 BULLETIN 17 4, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



The eggs are similar to those of the Gila woodpecker. The meas- 

 urements of 11 eggs average 23.59 by 18.30 millimeters; the eggs 

 showing the four extremes measure 25.6 by 18.1, 24.5 by 19.8, 21.9 

 by 17.8, and 22.1 by 17.3 millimeters. Grilling Bancroft has a still 

 larger egg, which measures 26.4 by 21.8 millimeters. 



CENTURUS UROPYGIALIS BREWSTERI Ridgway 

 BREWSTER'S WOODPECKER 



HABITS 



In the Cape region of Baja California, we find this local race, 

 which Kidgway (1914) describes as "similar to G. u. uropygialis but 

 smaller, with relatively (often absolutely) larger bill, bars on back, 

 etc., averaging decidedly narrower (the white ones about 1.5-2 mm. 

 wide), black bars on lower rump and upper tail-coverts narrower 

 or more numerous, and white bars on lateral rectrices as well as black 

 ones on inner web of middle rectrices narrower." 



William Brewster (1902) says: "In the Cape Region the Gila 

 Woodpecker has apparently much the same distribution as Dry abates 

 lucasanus. Neither Mr. Belding nor Mr. Frazar found it in the 

 higher mountains, but both note its abundance throughout the low 

 country, and Mr. Frazar obtained many specimens at Triunfo which 

 is within the lower edge of the oak belt." 



Grilling Bancroft (1930) referred the woodpeckers of this species 

 that he found breeding in central Lower California to this southern 

 race. Probably they are intermediate between this and cardonensis. 

 He says of it : 



The most abundant bird of its order, ranging througliout the territory exam- 

 ined. It is to be found in the suburban gardens of Santa Rosalia, among the 

 palms of San Ignacio, and everywhere through the desert cactus belt. Its 

 favorite choice of a home is a site high in a candelebra cardon ; but it will also 

 nest, even when not driven by necessity, in palms and tree yucca. 



Its breeding season is quite long, fresh eggs being found from the latter part 

 of April until well into June. The number laid is irregular. About half the 

 sets are of two, but there are four's and even five's. Sixteen eggs taken in the 

 vicinity of San Ignacio average 24.0 by 18.9 mm. 



The birds are quite tame and often cannot be flushed. More than once, on 

 opening cavities, we have lifted an adult from eggs or young, or even from an 

 empty hole. Repeatedly a bird has been seen flying into a nest, either to feed 

 young or to go onto eggs, while people were standing at the foot of the tree. 

 When their homes are being examined the birds often approach within a few 

 feet to voice their protests. Such fearlessness is unusual on this desert. 



