58 U. S. p. R. E. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 



This species is not rare in the mountains, and occasionally a stray one is met in the valleys. 

 Their call note, similar to the cry of a child in pain, is peculiarly disagreeable. Their quick 

 restless motions and untiring diligence in quest of food, as they pass around the branches and 

 trunks of the forest trees, are like those of the rest of the family. 



PICUS VARIUS, Linn .—Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. 



Fiau variua, Wils. Am. Orn. vol. I, p. 147, pi. 9, fig. 2.— Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 263, pi. 267.— Nutt. Orn. 



vol. 1, p. 574. 

 ? SphyropicM nuchalis, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 103. 



Though one of our commonest species on the eastern side of the continent, I now introduce it 

 for the first time into the fauna of California, having procured it at Fort Yuma, where it is not 

 rare. 



PICUS THYROIDEUS, C a s s i n .—Black-breasted Woodpecker. 



Piau tkyroideus, Cassin, Ulust. B. of Tex. & Cal. p. 2U1, pi. 32.— Is. Proceed. Ac. N. Sc. Phil. vol. V, p. 349 



I procured this bird some three years since in the southern mines of California, where it 

 frequents more especially the pine trees in search of food. I never saw it alight on the oak, 

 tliough abundant in that locality. 



CENTURUS UROP YGIALIS, Baird .—Gila Woodpecker. 



Cenluna urcpygialis, Baird, Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. vol. VII, p. 120. — la. Gen. Rep. IX, 111. 



It was with great pleasure that I found this bird in considerable numbers on the Colorado, 

 and am able to add another brilliant species to the fauna of California. Its ordinary notes 

 resemble those of our red-headed woodpecker, {Picus erythrophthalmus,) but it varies them often 

 to a soft plaintive cry, as if hurt or wounded. I found, on dissection, their stomachs filled with 

 the white gelatinous berry of a parasite plant. This plant grows abundantly on the mezquite 

 trees, and its fruit forms the principal food of many species of birds during the fall. 



MELANERPES TORQUATUS, Wils. —Lewis' Woodpecker. 



Piats torqmhts, Wils. Am. Orn. vol. Ill, p. 31, pi. 20, fig. 3.— Ahd. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 280, pi. 272.— 



NoTT. Orn. vol. I, p. 577. 

 Melanerpea torqttatus, Baiko, Gen. Rep. IX, 115. 



This large and abundant species extends all over California, being found in considerable 

 numbers in the mountains as far south as Tejon Pass. They appear of a gay and sociable 

 disposition, occasionally darting in the air in pursuit of insects, or chasing each other in playful 

 mood while on the wing. Their note is a feeble, oft-repeated twitter, continued while flying 

 and when about to alight. On alighting they gently open their wings, moving them 

 tremulously for some time, and more especially so if in company. 



MELANERPES FORMICIVORUS, Swains .—Ant-eating Woodpecker. 



Mdtmerpea formidvorus, Cas.sis's B. of Cal. & Tex. p. 7, pi. 2.— Bairp, Gen. Rep. IX, 114. 

 Pieut /ormicivorut, Swains. Taylor's Phil. Mag. 1827. p. 439. 



These gay plumaged birds, residents of California, are found in every portion of the country. 

 Like the Melanerpea torquatus, they appear to be gay and sociable, collecting at times (a dozen 

 or more) on the topmost limbs of some decayed monarch of the forest, whence they dart suddenly 

 in the air in pursuit of insects, to return again to their elevated position, soon to repeat the 



