The Nut tall Woodpecker 
Taken in Los Angeles County Photo by the Author 
JOSHUA TREES (Yucca arborescens ) ON THE MOHAVE DESERT 
CACTUS WOODPECKERS AND MANY OTHER SPECIES OF BIRDS NEST IN THESE YUCCA “FORESTS” 
for the attenuated forest planted by Western Union, and stretching 
gauntly across the Colorado Desert, gives our woodpecker access to 
leagues of territory otherwise unattainable. However, too much enthu¬ 
siasm on the part of these little miners may impair the usefulness of a 
small telegraph pole. Indeed, it is to be feared that D. scalaris and his 
brood are persona non grata to those magnates who depend upon W. U. 
dividends. Shucks! Let the birds have their fun. What’s a telegraph 
pole between friends! 
One does come to have a very friendly feeling for these plucky little 
chaps, whose business is so conducted in the open. The very lizards are 
endeared to the true “desert rat.” How much more this saucy Ladder- 
back, with his plink plink, and his long rolling chirrup! 
No. 193 
Nuttall’s Woodpecker 
A. O. U. No. 397. Dryobates nuttalli (Gambel). 
Description.—Similar to preceding species. Adult male in fresh plumage: 
Nasal tufts white or pale brownish buffy; forehead and crown glossy black, speckled 
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