Summer Birds of the Redwoods, 



entire tree may be filled, but for what 

 purpose observers do not seem to have 

 determined fully. The general opinion 

 is that acorns will in time rot and accu- 

 mulate insects, thus furnishing a ready 

 food supply for these far-seeing provi- 

 ders. It is, nevertheless, difficult to 

 understand why this particular species, 

 living as it does in a land of unremit- 

 ting plenty, should have developed this 

 habit, while other woodpeckers in more 

 rigorous climates neglect to make similar 

 provision for the future. 



This interesting bird should be more 

 generally known, as it is so conspicuous 

 in its dress and habits, so generally 

 distributed and abundant throughout 

 the State of California, and so famous 

 among scientists for its singular habit. 

 Its head is surmounted with a cap of 

 flaming scarlet. Its back is a dark, 

 glossy blue-black, the same color appear- 

 ing on the breast also. Its under parts, 

 with the above exception, are white, 

 tinged with sulphur yellow, while 



187 



