64 THE OREGON NATURATJST, 



BIRDS OF THE DESERT. cacti. These are holes made by Wood- 



peckers. The Gila Woodpecker and 



One wovild hardly think that llie Gilded Flicker use these excavations 

 desert region of Arizona, hot, dry and to bring forth their family of young, 

 dusty as it is, was inhabited by even a and in which to roost at night. The 

 single species of bird, save perhaps the Gilded Flicker is not so prolific as is 

 Roadrnnner (Geococcyxcalifornianus), the Red-shafted or Yellow-shafted 

 around which is wrapped much his- Flicker, four and five eggs is the ex- 

 tory, real and imaginary. In the tent of the .set. 



Spiing time, when luigratory birds re- A sprightly little fellow is the Yel- 

 turn to the North, these vast stretches low-headed Tit (Auriparus flaviper) 

 of arid land are crossed in a single found commonly every wliere, de.sert 

 flight and that mostly at night, and and river bottoms alike. That which 

 few birds linger and then only in irri- is most interesting about this species 

 gated sections. is its nest and its construction. The 



But there are many species that are pair work for weeks in building it, 

 resident — remaining the year round. Ijuilding the whole exterior first, then 

 Notable among these is the family the walls are completed, and finally 

 Harporhynchus (Thrashers). Four lined with feathers. In shape and 

 species are known to breed in this size it is much like a cocoanut, with 

 valley, Harporhynchus crissalis, (Cris- an entrance opening between two 

 sal Thrasher) is found in the vicinity limbs with the opening visible from 

 of water nesting in the low bushes of the ground only. The opening as 

 Atriplex (Greasewood) and that of well as the entire nest is thickly cov- 

 Pithecolobium unguis (Cat's claw), ered with thorny twigs from the cat's 

 Harporhynchus c. palmeri (Palmer's claw bush. Around the entrance 

 Thrasher) and H. bendirei (Bendires these tliorns are so placed that one's 

 Tiirasher) are most frequently seen finger cannot be inserted or withdrawii 

 far from water, nesting far out on the without being severely scratched. In 

 desert. In the fall of the year tlie Yellow- 



H. lecontei (Lecontes Thrasher) headed Tit builds another nest, this 

 whose range is farther to the West is time of different material and used for 

 rarely luet with here, though a single a different purpose, and I am inclined 

 instance is known of Lecontes Thrash- to believe is made entirely by one bird 

 er breeding near this city. Harporhyn- and used by that biid as his place of 

 chus is gifted with great power of rest and sleep. I have often ap- 

 song; and many a cheerless de.sert proached these Winter nests in the 

 scene is made pleasant by their pres- daytime and frequently found the lit- 

 ence. tie occupant at home. In the con- 



In tiavelling among the forests of struction of the Winter nest the usual 

 giant cactus, Saguara of the Spanish, .shape is maintained, the neatly mod- 

 one notices innumerable circular holes eled entrance is there, the lining as 

 punctured into the flesh}' parts of the .soft as ever, and if anything a little 



