CONSPICUOUSLY BLACK AND WHITE 379 



Here it breeds in small numbers, making its nest in 

 cottonwoods, sycamores, and wherever possible in the 

 giant cactus. In fact, Mr. Anthony asserts that its range 

 is governed by the presence or absence of the giant 

 cactus, in which it nests, and on the fruit of which it 

 feeds. 



In general habits it is like the Californian wood- 

 pecker, — talkative, noisy, and restless. " When flying 

 from one point to another it usually utters a sharp shrill 

 ' hiut ' two or three times, resembling the common call 

 of the phainopepla, and which may readily be mistaken 

 for it. It is also more or less addicted to drumming on 

 the dead tops of cottonwood, sycamore, and mesquite 

 trees. Its flight, like that of most woodpeckers, is 

 undulating rather than swift" (Bendire). 



The food of the Gila Woodpecker consists of larvae, 

 grasshoppers, ants, beetles, the fruit of the giant cactus, 

 and the berries of that species of mistletoe found on 

 oaks and mesquite trees in that region. The same nest 

 excavation is used several years in succession. Major 

 Bendire says that incubation lasts about two weeks, 

 and that both sexes assist in preparing the nest and 

 brooding the eggs. 



425. WHITE-THROATED SWIFT. — Aeronautes 

 melanoleucus. 



Family : The Swifts. 



Length: 6.00-7.00. 



Adults: Tail about half as long as wing, with stiff narrow feathers; 



upper parts blackish ; throat, breast, wing-patch, and rump white ; 



sides dusky or black. 



