PICID^ — THE WOODPECKERS. 523 



Dr. Cooper states that this Woodpecker is quite abundant towards the 

 coast of California, and among the foothills west of the Sierra Nevada. It 

 frequents the oaks and the smaller trees almost exclusively, avoiding the 

 coniferous forests. It is very industrious, and not easily frightened, when 

 engaged in hammering on the bark of trees allowing a very near approach. 

 At other times, when pursued, it becomes more wary and suspicious. April 

 20, 1862, Dr. Cooper discovered a nest of this bird near San Diego. It was 

 in a rotten stump, and was only about four feet from the ground. He cap- 

 tured the female on her nest, which contained five eggs of a pure pearly 

 whiteness. 



These birds are said to remain throughout the year in the valleys, and to 

 migrate very little, if at all. Dr. Cooper has not observed it west of the 

 Coast Range, except near Santa Barbara, nor has he seen any around gardens 

 or orchards. None have been observed north or east of the State. East of 

 the mountains it is replaced by the scalaris. 



Mr. Xantus mentions finding a nest containing two eggs in a hole in the 

 Cereus giganteus, about fifteen feet from the ground. The excavation made 

 by the bird was about a foot and a half deep and six inches wide. 



This Woodpecker Mr. Eidgway saw only in the Sacramento Valley, where, 

 in June, it appeared to be a common species among the oaks of the plains. 

 He did not learn anything of its habits, but describes its notes as very 

 peculiar, the usual one being a prolonged querulous rattling call, unlike 

 that of any other bird known to him. 



Subgenus PHRENOPICUS, Bonap. 



Phrenopicus, Bonap. Consji. Vol. Zygod. Ateneo Ital. 1854. (Type, Picus borealis, Vieill.) 

 Phrenopipo, Cab. & Hein. Mus. Hein. 1863, 70. Same type. 



This subgenus is closely related in external form to the preceding, differ- 

 ing in rather longer and more pointed wings and tail, the latter especially, 

 and a very small, short bill. The first quill (excluding the spurious one) is 

 considerably longer than the sixth, not shorter. The tail-feathers are mucli 

 attenuated at end. The most marked differences in coloration of the type 

 species, P. horealis, consists in the absence of the post-ocular black patch, 

 leaving the whole auricular region white, and in the restriction of the red 

 to a very narrow line on each side, usually concealed. 



Some authors place Picus stricklancli of Mexico {Phrenopipo or Xylocopus 

 stricklandi, Cab. and Hein.) in this section, to which it may indeed belong as 

 far as the wing is concerned, but the markings are entirely different. 



