July, 1915 
WOODPECKERS OF THE ARIZONA LOWLANDS 
153 
of the excavators, but take forcible possession. In holes excavated by Gila 
Woodpeckers there may regularly be found nesting the Elf Owl, Ferruginous 
Pigmy Owl, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Arizona Crested Flycatcher. Occa- 
sionally a Cactus Wren makes use of the handy hollow, and once I saw one 
occupied by the nest of a Lucy Warbler. A big “rough-neck” scaly lizard 
frequents the holes when not too high in the cactus, and in tw r o holes in willow 
trees I found snakes. It is not pleasant to insert one’s hand and have a big 
lizard or snake crawl up the arm to escape. Rats and mice are sometimes 
found in the deserted holes, especially if the tree be much decayed and with 
cracks and hollows connecting holes at different heights in the tree or branch. 
So these woodpeckers may be considered among the class of innocent or unin- 
tentional benefactors. 
As a neighbor, the Gila Woodpecker is permanently on the map, and is 
afraid neither of being seen nor heard. He is much in the public ear with a 
variety of notes and calls. His sociable conversational notes somewhat resem- 
Fig. 53. Pima Indian Cabin, with store of corn on the roof. A treasure 
TROVE FOR THE GlLA WOODPECKER. 
ble those of the California Woodpecker but are shriller. In such of his notes 
as are directed at humanity there is a peevish complaining tone, especially if 
closely approached when feeding on fruit or some other delicacy. In such 
cases there is only one term that exactly describes his attitude and utterances, 
and that is the phrase “belly-aching”. In fact all of his talk at us has a dis- 
tinctly “colicky” tone and one feels like giving him something to whine about. 
His ordinary call slightly resembles that of the Flicker but is not quite so 
loud; altogether he is quite a conversationalist. 
This woodpecker frequents houses and yards, and with slight encourage- 
ment comes regularly for food, not hesitating to call loudly for it if breakfast 
be much delayed. The Indians store corn in the ear on the flat tops of their 
houses and sheds (see fig. 53), and each home has one or more of woodpecker 
retainers or pensioners hanging about most of the time. This corn provides 
an abundant and sure source of 'food, and the birds make the most of it. I 
have never seen any indication of food-storage on the part of the Gila Wood- 
