aid 
CONSPICUOUSLY BLACK AND WHITE 3/79 
Here it breeds in small numbers, making its nest in 
cottonwoods, sycamores, and wherever possible in the 
giant cactus. In fact, Mr. Anthony asserts that its range 
is governed by the presence or absence of the giant 
cactus, in which it nests, and on the fruit of which it 
feeds. 
In general habits it is like the Californian wood- 
pecker, — talkative, noisy, and restless. ‘‘ When flying 
from one point to another it usually utters a sharp shrill 
‘hiut’ two or three times, resembling the common call 
of the phainopepla, and which may readily be mistaken 
for it. It is also more or less addicted to drumming on 
the dead tops of cottonwood, sycamore, and mesquite 
trees. Its flight, like that of most woodpeckers, is 
undulating rather than swift” (Bendire). 
The food of the Gila Woodpecker consists of larvee, 
grasshoppers, ants, beetles, the fruit of the giant cactus, 
and the berries of that species of mistletoe found on 
oaks and mesquite trees in that region. The same nest 
excavation is used several years in succession. Major 
Bendire says that incubation lasts about two weeks, 
and that both sexes assist in preparing the nest and 
brooding the eggs. 
425. WHITE-THROATED SWIFT. — Aeéronautes 
melanoleucus. 
Famity : The Swifts. 
Length : 6.00-7.00. 
Adults: Tail about half as long as wing, with stiff narrow feathers ; 
upper parts blackish ; throat, breast, wing-patch, and rump white ; 
sides dusky or black. 
