62 
THE CONDOR 
Von. XI 
still barranca. How I detested to hear the harsh call notes of the bird, tho, particu- 
larly on the occasions when they would mix them with their song. Gray-breasted 
Robins are active until after whippoorwills and owls stir forth; flocking into the 
barrancas in the late afternoon, and remaining for the night, and ascending to the 
pines to feed at daybreak. 
There are several bird families in Mexico having no representatives in the 
United States. One of these groups is the Woodhewer. The only species I have 
met with is Picolaptcs Zeucogaster , inhabitant of the heaviest growth in the barrancas 
in Morelos. In recalling my first individual, I can see a gigantic brown creeper 
ascending the trunk of a large tree sheltering my tent. The White-bellied Wood- 
hewer is tolerably abundant in suitable situations within the area treated in this ar- 
ticle, altho by reason of their solitary disposition, estimates might show otherwise. 
Woodhewers were located more than once by the sun playing on the plumage, which 
is rich brown above, brightest on wings and tail, with blackish crown, spotted buff 
and white. Altho superficially the bird much resembles a brown creeper in 
form, its actions and movements are quite different. I cannot recall ever having 
observed a Woodhewer ascend a tree in the spiral manner, characteristic of Certhia; 
nor have I noted it near the base of a tree. Seldom alighting lower than twenty feet 
from the ground, a rapid ascent to some favored limb is made; and should the branch 
happen to be horizontal, they work with as much ease on the under, as on the up- 
per surface. Their long, curved, extremely narrow bill, greatly facilitates search 
in the particular field of their endeavors— narrow cracks, small knotholes, and the 
like. The bill is available in any position, be the directing movement vertical or 
horizontal, or a combination of the two. Their notes are of four or five syllables, of 
moderate volume, rendered like tree-e-e-e, and uttered just before leaving their 
position. The nesting was in progress during February, and few females were 
secured. 
Another tropical family represented in that State is that containing the Tro- 
gons. I met with a red-billed species, T. mexicanus . They are plentiful, but are 
not conspicuous birds, for all of their brilliant raiment. First suspicion of this 
species’ presence was caused by discovery of bright-colored feathers of peculiar 
texture, scattered about under such trees and bushes as produce fruits or large 
seeds. Just a little search and you will find the Mexican Trogon nearby. But I 
do not mean that it is a stolid, indifferent bird; quite otherwise, and must be ap- 
proached with caution. They partake in equal quantity of insects and fruits. 
When feeding, a short note like kee-kay is used; at other times a variety of calls; 
for instance, a measured cow-cow-cow; and a set of notes in capable mimicry of 
the Turkey. 
A natty attired sparrow about camp was Bucirremon virenticeps ; but let us 
call him Green-headed Towhee. It is of good size, eight inches or so, but with 
feet fit for a bird much larger. These feet are the noise-makers, not the weak sug- 
gestion of a chirp, always uttered when out of sight. I attempted to gain their 
confidence, but was never quite successful, even when patience was abundant. 
The Green-tailed Towhee ( Oreospiza chlo7'ura) reminds me of B. virenticeps so 
much that I will mention it in connection. Avoiding the timbered regions I found 
it about the city hedgerows after March 12, and altho the last record for the 
species in my journal is April 16, I feel sure that I saw it as late as May 1 in the 
company of Western Vesper Sparrows. 
Warblers have many representatives wintering in this section, and some resi- 
dent species, too, so I will group them, as with the Flycatchers, excepting two 
species of Basilcntenis already discussed. The Red-bellied Redstart ( Setophaga 
