368 University of California Fuhlications in Zoology. [Vol. 7 



equally abundant in high and low localities, with the advantage 

 if anything in favor of the higher ones. Its zonal range was 

 Upper Sonoran to high Transition. 



Habits. — The penetrating ''yip! yip! yip! " call 



of Colaptes was frequently heard as early as 4 :30 in the morn- 

 ing. Although they were occasionally noted on rocks, the pines 

 and aspens were in the mountains the most favored perching 

 places. The birds are of a rather curious temperament. I was 

 able to attract one by making a squeaking sound with the lips. 

 At Quinn River Crossing two birds were observed about an old 

 hay stack. On May 17, upon the discharge of a shotgun in the 

 near vicinity, a flicker burst from a hole in the side of this 

 stack. Investigation showed the presence of a set of eight eggs 

 rather advanced in incubation. There were practically no trees 

 on the desert, and the flickers were evidently reduced to an 

 extremity for nesting sites. The upper part of the stack over- 

 hung its base. About 1.52 meters (5 feet) from the ground was 

 a hole 114 mm. (4^^ inches) in diameter opening into a cavity 

 482 mm. (19 inches) deep. This cavity had been appropriated 

 by the flickers. Ridgway (1877, p. 579) mentions the digging 

 by the red-shafted flicker of holes in cliffs for nesting purposes. 

 Evidently Colaptes is broadly resourceful ! 



A second nest was found more than a month later (June 24) 

 at the head of Big Creek (8000 feet). The nesting cavity was 

 in the decayed portion of a quaking aspen near the stream. The 

 hole was 1.52 meters (5 feet) from the ground, and the cavity 

 was 63 mm. (2^/^ inches) in diameter and 533 mm. (21 inches) 

 deep. The nest contained six young birds a few days old and 

 one egg within which was a chick that had been too weak to pip 

 the shell. The young birds were resting on a bed of chips. The 

 probabilities are that the flickers were nesting quite commonly 

 in the wooded parts of the mountains. Individual l)irds were 

 fairly numerous. 



The presence of this species in a region in which no other 

 woodpeckers occur is an indicator of its comparative hardihood 

 and relatively superior adaptability. 



