ZOOLOGY BIRDS. 59 



same manoeuvre. When gathered in numbers their loud and querulous notes are heard at all 

 hours of the day, as they are among the noisiest and most clamorous birds of this family. In 

 the fall this species has the curious and peculiar habit of laying up provision against the 

 inclement season. Small round holes are dug in the bark of the pine and oak, into each one of 

 which is inserted an acorn, and so tightly is it fitted or driven in that it is with difficulty 

 extracted. The bark of the pine trees, when thus filled, presents at a short distance the 

 appearance of being studded with brass-headed nails. Stowed away in large quantities in this 

 manner, the acorns not only supply the wants of the woodpecker, but the squirrels, mice, and 

 jays avail themselves likewise of the fruits of its provident labor. The nest is hollowed out 

 from the body of a tree or of some decayed branch, and varies from six inches to two feet in 

 depth. The eggs, four or five in number, of a pure white, are placed at the bottom of this 

 cavity, resting on the soft bed of dust and fine chips which have there fallen during the labor 

 of excavation. 



MELANERPES ALBOLARVATUS, C a s s i n . 



Melanerpes albolarvatus, CASSIN, Journ. Ac. N. Sc. Phil, new series, vol. II, p. 257, pi. 22. 

 Picus albolarvatus, BAIRD, Gen. Rep. IX, 96. 



Mr. Bell, of New York, first discovered this species in the vicinity of Sutter s mills, on the 

 American river. It frequented the higher branches of the pines, keeping almost out of gunshot 

 range. Active and restless in its movements, it utters at intervals its sharp and clear note as it 

 pursues its avocations. 



COLAPTES MEXICANUS, Swains .Orange-shafted Woodpecker. 



Colaptes mexicanus, Sw. Synop. of B. of Mexico, Philos. Mag. 1827, p. 440. RICH. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 815. 

 Picus mxicanus, AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 290, pi. 274. 

 Colaptes collaris, VIGORS, Zool. of Beechey s Voyage, p. 24, pi. 9. 



Abundant, having procured specimens not only in California but also in the Rocky 

 mountains, New Mexico, and Texas. Its habits are those of our golden-winged woodpecker, 

 (Colaptes auralus.} It passes much of its time on the ground, carrying havoc among the 

 ant-hills spread over all the dry portions of the country, occasionally varying its fare with such 

 berries and wild fruits as there abound. 



COLAPTES AYRESII, A u d . Red-moustached Woodpecker. 



Picus ayresii, AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. VII, p. 318, pi. 494. 



Rare, having met with but two specimens in the mountains bordering the Cosumnes river. 

 GEOCOCCYX MEXICANUS, G m e 1 .Chaparral Cock. 



Geococcyx variegata, WAGLER, Isis, 1831, p. 524. 



Saurothera marginata, KAUP. leis, 1832, p. 991. 



Saurothera bottae, BLAINVILLE, Less. Traite d Orn. vol. I, p. 145. 



Phasianus mexicanus, GMEL. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 741. 



Geococcyx calif ornianus, BAIRD, Gen. Rep. IX, 73. 



We found this bird throughout California, frequenting at times the most arid portions of the 

 country. It often crossed our path, or ran before us for a short distance on the road, dashing, 

 when alarmed, immediately into the chaparral, where, swift of foot, it easily evaded pursuit. It 



