2CzL Mearns, Arizona Mou?itain Birds. [July 



stores are the source of unending quarrels between this Woodpecker and 

 its numerous pilfering enemies; and I have laid its supplies under contri- 

 bution myself, when short of provisions and lost from the command 

 with which I had been travelling, by filling my saddlebags with half- 

 dried acorns from under the loose bark of a dead pine. 



Melanerpes torquatus. Lewis's Woodpecker. — It may be said that 

 the pine forests are the favorite home of this beautiful species, although 

 its habits are so erratic that one must take counsel before making any 

 positive assertion concerning it. I have never had proof of its breeding 

 anywhere in Arizona, although I have found it at all seasons and places. 

 It is a wandering bird, travelling about, usually in large flocks, and 

 visiting all likely places for food and frolic. In midwinter it is often very 

 abundant in the highest pine forests of the Mogollons and about Fort 

 Whipple; but I have spent a whole summer in these mountains with- 

 out seeing any of them; again, it was noted among the cottonwoods of the 

 Santa Cruz and Rillilto in the vicinity of Tucson and Fort Lowell during 

 the blazing weather of April. Sometimes it would come in great nom- 

 bers in March and April to the oak woods bordering the streams near 

 Fort Verde; or a pair or two would take up their abode in a grove of 

 cottonwoods, and spend April and May, in the hot valley of the Rio 

 Verde. Its movements, like those of the Eastern Red-headed Woodpeck- 

 er, are probably largely' governed by the food supply; and it doubtless 

 breeds wherever it chances to be at the season, provided that food be 

 plenty. 



Colaptes cafer. Red-shafted Flicker. — Breeds commonly through- 

 out the pine belt, ascending still higher. 



Phalsenoptilus nuttalli. Poor-will. — This interesting bird breeds 

 abundantly throughout the pine belt. A set of perfectly fresh eggs was 

 taken on theMogollon Mountains, on July 3, 18S6. Another set, taken near 

 Flagstaff", contained large embryoes on May 27, iSSS; and a couple of 

 young were found the same day. 



Chordeiles virginianus henryi. Western Nighthawk. — I have never 

 known this species to infringe on the territory of the Texan Nighthawk 

 during the breeding season ; each keeps to its own ground, the latter 

 being confined to the region below the pines, and the former residing in 

 the pines and spruces, breeding in great numbers in these limited areas. 

 A single migrant was taken at Fort Verde, on May 9, 1SS5. Two fresh 

 eggs were taken at Flagstaff on June 18, 1SS7, in a level place, bestrewn 

 with volcanic scoria, beneath the pines. In our summer camp, near the 

 summit of the Mogollon Mountains, a small beetle was annoyingly 

 abundant, flying into our tents in great numbers during the day, and at 

 night swarming around our log fires. As the twilight gathered, hundreds 

 of these Nighthawks appeared upon the scene, preying upon the trouble- 

 some insects. Careless of our presence at the fires and of the noisy 

 hilarity of camp, they flitted through the smoke with astonishing freedom 

 from diffidence, capturing myriads of the hated beetles, as they passed 

 and repassed above, between, and around us, until their flickering forms 



