i886.] Henshaw on Birds observed in New Mexico. yo 



63. Sphyrapicus thyroideus. Black-breasted Woodpecker. — Com- 

 mon as a summer and fall i-esident. 



64. Melanerpes formisivorus bairdi. Californian Woodpecker. — 

 The status of this Woodpecker in the region under consideration is a 

 little difficult to understand. This is probably about its northern limit in 

 the Rocky Mountain region, and it may summer in the lower portions of 

 the mountains. The first individuals were seen August 27, and it soon 

 became rather numerous. Probably in all not less than fifty were seen. 

 It was noticable that it frequented the locality of certain small oak groves. 

 In fact, it is doubtful if the bird ever occurs, at least in United States, 

 apart from these trees. No indication of its well known habit of storing 

 away acorns in holes was detected. 



65. Colaptes auratus mexicanus. Red-shafted Flicker. — A com- 

 mon summer resident. 



66. Ceryle alcyon. Kingfisher. — Does not breed in this locality. 

 Several were seen along the stream in the fall, when they secured a good 

 harvest of small trout. 



67. Strix occidentalis. Spotted Owl. — ^ The single individual of this 

 species that was detected was shot August 20. Whether it breeds here or 

 not, or how common it is, are utterly unknown. 



68. Bubo virginianus subarcticus. Western Horned Owl. — Nu- 

 merous, and doubtless a constant resident. 



69. Glaucidium gnoma. California Pigmy Owl.— This little Owl 

 was numerous, as it appears to be everywhere throughout the Southern 

 Rocky Mountains. It is known to occur as far north as the neighborhood 

 of Colorado Springs, where it has been taken by Mr. Aiken. Its small 

 size and unobtrusive habits render it peculiarly liable to be overlooked, 

 even where it may be not uncommon. It is very apt to take its station 

 early in the morning on the topmost or outermost branch of an old 

 stub, waiting for the sun that it may enjoy the warmth of its rays. 



There is a read}' method of detecting the suspected presence of this 

 little Owl, and this is by imitating its notes, which can be done to a nicety. 

 The little fellows are extremely sociable in disposition, as witness the fact 

 that one is rarely found alone. In fall, in fact, they are usually met with in 

 companies. 



When awake and on the alert they are prompt to answer the call of a 

 supposed lonely comrade, and I have frequently called them to me when 

 half a mile distant, and this, too, when I took the initiative in calling. 

 When the Owl calls first he can be lured close up enough to be inter- 

 viewed with almost perfect certainty. Curiously enough, they do not 

 appear to detect the fraud, even though one be standing at the foot of 

 the very tree they may be concealed in. I have stood or walked around 

 a tree for a half hour trying to detect the exact whereabouts of one of 

 these little Owls when he was whistling back at me every moment, and 

 when, of course, I must ha\e been visible most of the time. 



They shelter themselves from sun and rain, and from prying ej'cs, 

 as do larger Owls and Hawks, by standing on a limb close up to the body 



