1923 BIRDS OF THE SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS 21 



Trogon ambigcuus. Coppery-tailed Trogon 



The discovery of this bird by Howell in 1918, oives a most interesting ad- 

 dition to the Santa Rita list. In describing it he writes: "While wrapping 

 two birds which 1 had shot at 6,000 feet in a canyon, August 4, T looked up and 

 saw a pair of these bii'ds watching me from live oak branches at perhaps a 

 hundred yards. I had an unobstructed view of their bright underparts and 

 characteristic form and flight, and identification was sure. They were very 

 'wise,' and as I carefully approached, they as slowly receded, flying from 

 oak to oak until they separated and I lost them in the denser growth. The 

 trees were almost entirely live oaks here with a very occasional pine. A care- 

 ful two hours hunt was without result, but as I returned home in the after- 

 noon I saw a bird which could have been nothing else, apparently feeding after 

 the manner of a low-foraging flycatcher in the oak scrub on a ridge two hun- 

 dred yards away from where I saw the pair in the morning. As I approached, 

 it disappeared over the ridge and was not to be seen again. Systematic work- 

 ing of this locality on two later days was Avithout result." 



Ceryle alcyon alcyon. Belted Kingfisher 



One was seen by us on April 22, 1921, at the ranch over the dry wash 

 which at this season, we were told by the Nicholsons, for a number of years 

 previous, had been a running stream. After perching in the live oaks for a 

 time the Kingfisher went rattling up the canyon. One was reported by Forest 

 Ranger Schofield from Rosemont, about April 4, "the day of the heavy wind." 

 While these birds were doubtless migrants they call to mind Bendire's state- 

 ment that in southern Arizona where running streams are few he has found 

 Kingfishers "breeding in localities where fish must have formed but a small 

 percentage of their daily fare," and Avhere "they lived principally on lizards, 

 beetles, and large grasshoppers." A Kingfisher passed Howell's camp in 

 Madera Canyon several times on August 11, 1918, "although the stream here 

 is a mere trickle, disappearing entirely at frequent intervals." 



Dryobates scalaris cactophilus. Cactus Woodpecker 



Found by Swarth in June, 1903, fairly common along a gulch below 

 Madera Canyon, and out on the mesa. It was also taken by Bailey, October 

 28, 1913. about McCleary's Ranch. One was seen by Howell, August 16, 1918. 

 in the mesquites at Continental. It was seen occasionally by us during the 

 winter of 1920-1921, on the mesquite slopes, in the live oaks of the ranch,. and 

 about camp. On April 28, when looking for Cactus Wrens' nests about two 

 miles above Continental, I flushed one of the small Woodpeckers from its nest 

 in the trunk of a large cholla cactus. 



Several were seen and two taken by Taylor, January 15-17, 1923, at Rose- 

 mont (5,000 feet), in oaks and desert willows. The call-note suggested chip 

 or plick. 



