Bendire/J 130 [March 21, 



too late for their eggs. April 22, 1876, a bird of this species amongst 

 the sagebushes, near Malheur Lake, twenty miles from the timber. 

 ■was shot by Lt. G. R. Bacon, U. S. A. Not a winter resident. 



96. Hylotomus pileatus (Baird). Black Woodcock. 



A constant but rare resident. Have seen specimens of this bird 

 but twice. 



97. Melanerpes torquatus (Bonap.). Lewis Woodpecker. 

 A very common summer resident in the vicinity of Camp Harney, 



breeding abundantly in the juniper groves as well as in the edges of 

 the forests. It prefers the more open districts, and arrives here 

 about May 1 ; remains until the middle of October. The usual num- 

 ber of eggs laid is seven. These measure from 1.12 X -80 and 1.10 

 X -81 for the largest, to 1.02 X -79 and 1 X -78 for the smallest, 

 selected from a large series. In one nest I found an egg measuring 

 .78 X '58. Comparing these eggs with a series of the C. mexicanus, 

 I find them longer in shape and not so globular. The color is also 

 different, in M. torquatus the white is opaque, and never so glossy 

 and shining. In cleanly prepared specimens of both species the dif- 

 ference is very perceptible. The young of this species, when dis- 

 turbed in their nest, make a very curious hissing noise, like the buz- 

 zing of a swarm of bees. They commence breeding about May 20. 



98. Colaptes mexicanus (Swainson). Red-shafted Flicker. 

 Even more common than the preceding, arriving the latter part of 



March, and a few remain in the lower Harney Valley throughout the 

 winter. They commence breeding about May 15, and raise two 

 broods in a season. The usual number of eggs is from six to eight. 

 The largest of these measure 1.20 X -91 and 1.19 X .90 ; the small- 

 est 1.04 X -86 and 1.01 X -83 of an inch. A nest of this species 

 found June 6, 1875, in a rotten pine stump, contained besides three 

 young birds just hatched and two eggs on the point of hatching, also 

 four perfectly fresh eggs of the usual size, and one measuring only 

 .80 X '60 of an inch. Their principal food seems to consist of crick- 

 ets, while these are in season. I have found this species occupying 

 the same stump with a pair of sparrow hawks, both breeding at the 

 same time, the entrance to their holes being on opposite sides, and 

 also again with a pair of long-eared owls, their holes only two and 

 and one-half feet apart, and on the same side, the owl using the 

 lower story. 



99. Colaptes hybridus (Baird). Hybrid Flicker. 



In the spring of 1875 a well marked specimen of this race was 





