276 NE8T8 AND EGGS OF 



vicinity of the first nest, often in the same tree. In Ohio this bird is a common 

 resident. Breeds in May* Four to six white eggs are laid, varying in length from 

 .77 to 1.00 by .67 to .79 in breadth. Six eggs taken in Franklin county, Ohio, meas- 

 ure l.OOx.77, .98X.78, l.OOx.78, .99x.74, l.OOx.76, l.OOx.74. The average size of twenty- 

 four specimens in the U. S. National Museum as given by the late Major Bendire is 

 .99X.73 inches. These are mostly from Florida. 



410. GOLDEN-FBONTED WOODPECKER. Melanerpes aurifrons (Wagl.) 



Geog. Dist.— Southern Texas and Northeastern Mexico. 



Dr. James C. Merrill records this species as abundant on the Lower Rio Grande 

 In Texas, and Mr. George B. Sennett found it very common at Lomita, and as bold 

 and noisy as the Red-headed Woodpecker of the North. Although breeding 

 abundantly, the eggs were difficult to obtain, as the nesting cavities were often 

 situated in the heart of large hard-wood trees, and not very accessible. From four 

 to seven rather dull looking white eggs are laid; usually five or six. : Mr. Sennett 

 took the first set of eggs April 17, and a clutch of five fresh ones was taken May Ist. 

 Two broods are probably reared in a season as eggs have been found in June. The 

 lato Major Charles B. Bendire gives the average measurement of seventy-three eggs 

 1.02X.77 inches. 



411. GILA WOOBPECKEB. Melanerpps uropygialis (Balrd.) Geog. Dist.— 

 Southern Arizona, Southeastern nortion of California, Lower California and Western 

 Mexico. 



This species was first discovered by Dr. Kennerly in his route along the 35th 

 parallel, and described by Professor Baird in 1854. Dr. Hermann found it abun- 

 dant along the Gila river among the mesquite trees and giant cactus. He met with 

 it in California in considerable numbers on the banks of the Colorado. Mr. G. Frean 

 Morcom, in his valuable paper on the birds of Southern California and Southwestern 

 Arizona,* notes this as one of the species found by Mr. F. Stephens at Yuma, Arizona, 

 where it was not common. A nest was found May 4, excavated in a growing willow 

 on the edge of a slough. It contained three eggs, incubation commenced. In the 

 region about Tucson, Arizona, Mr. W. E. D. Scott states that it is a common resident, 

 especially in the giant cactus regions, occurring in numbers up to an altitude of 

 4500 feet. Though breeding in mesquite and cottonwood trees, they show a great 

 preference tor groves of giant cactus, which afford nesting places for thousands of 

 pairs about Tucson, Florence and Riverside. Near Tucson, Mr. Scott took fresh 

 eggs, three to five in number, from May 15 until the last of the month. The birds 

 do not always excavate new nesting holes in the giant cactus, but more frequently 

 take advantage of former excavations. The birds are very fond of the fruit of the 

 giant and other cacti. The eggs are smooth, glossy white, and measure .99x.72. 



■^*B 412. PLICKER. Colaptes (luratus {Ijlnn.) Geog. Dist— Eastern North Ameri- 

 ca, west to the Great Plains, north to Hudson Bay and Alaska. 



This is the Golden-winged Woodpecker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Pigeon Wood- 

 pecker, High-holder, Wake-up pnd Yellow-hammer of Eastern > North America. 

 Every country boy has a name for it. The bird's ordinary notes are the familiar, 

 oft-repeated "chuck-up, chuck-up, chuck-up," the scythe-whetting note, "quit-tu, 

 qult-tu, quit-tu," and the peculiar "wake-up" call, preluded by rapid monosyllables. 



• Bulletin No. 2. The Kldgway Ornithological Club. 



