Some New Traits for, the Red-headed Woodpecker ( Melanerpes 
erythrocephalus). — A remarkable instance of foresight in several birds of 
this species in “ looking out for a rainj^ day ahead ” has been communi- 
cated to me by my friend Mr. G. S. Agersborg of Vermilion, Dakota Ter., 
and I cannot do better than quote extracts from his letter : “ I have for- 
gotten to mention to you an interesting fact about Melanerpes erythroceph- 
ol is. Last spring in opening a good many birds of this species with the 
object of ascertaining their principal food, I found in their stomachs noth- 
ing but young grasshoppers. One of them, which had its headquarters 
near my house, was observed making frequent visits to an old oak post, 
and on examining it I found a large crack where the Woodpecker had in- 
serted about one hundred grasshoppers of all sizes (for future use, as later 
observations proved), which were put in without killing them, but they 
were so firmly wedged in the crack that they in vain tried to get free. I 
told this to a couple of farmers, and found that they had also seen ' the 
same thing, and showed me the posts which were used for the same pur- 
pose. Later in the season the Woodpecker, whose station was near my 
house, commenced to use his stores, and to-day (February 10) there are 
only a few shrivelled-up grasshoppers left. I have now not seen this bird 
for over two weeks.” 
A similar habit is related of the California Woodpecker {Melanerpes for- 
micivorus) by Dr. Heermann in California, and Mr. J. K. Lord in British 
Columbia ; the food in this instance being acorns, which were wedged 
tightly in crevices, and in some cases the hollow stems of reeds were used.t 
- H. B. Bailey, New York City. Bull. N.O.O. 3, April. 18 1 8 , p. 
97 . 
were shot in June. Common in Concho- County for two months in the 
fall. 
126. Contopus richardsonii. Western Wood Pewee.- Two shot in 
fall of 1SS6, in Concho County. 
127. Empidonax pusillus. Little Flycatcher. — Tolerably common 
summer visitant. Breeds. Yo'ungshot. 
128. Empidonax pusillus trailli. Traill’s Flycatcher. — Spring 
migrant in the western half of Concho County, and I believe it breeds — 
a point I thought I had already ascertained, but as there may be some 
doubt, I cannot positively record it yet as breeding. 
129. Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. — Tolerably common 
summer visitant. Abundant in fall. Have shot young ; no nests taken. 
Arrival noted April 27, 1885. 
130. Empidonax hammondi. Hammond’s Flycatcher. — Fall migrant. 
Rare in Concho County; tolerably common in Tom Green County and 
the most abundant Empidonax across the Pecos River. 
131. Empidonax obscurus. Wright’s Flycatcher. — Rare fall mi- 
grant. Secured twice in Tom Green County. 
132. Otocoris alpestris arenicola. Desert Horned Lark. — Abundant 
winter visitor. Arrives October 20 ; departs March 6. This is the only 
Horned Lark noted for either county. None occur in summer to my 
knowledge, although I have looked especially for them. 
( To be continuedi) 
THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER A HOARDER. 
BY O. P. HAY. 
The Woodpeckers are eminently an insect-eating family, and 
their whole organization fits them for gaining access to situations 
where the supply of their normal food is perennial, if not always 
abundant. There are, however, in all probability, few members 
of the group that will not, when opportunities are offered, fore- 
go their accustomed animal diet and solace themselves on soft 
fruits and luscious berries; and when the blasts blow cold, and 
the soggy limb is frozen hard, and the larva no longer betrays 
its location by its industry, the few Woodpeckers of the species 
which brave our winters are, no doubt, glad to avail themselves 
of such dry forms of nutriment as grains, seeds of grasses, and 
the softer nuts. 
Notwithstanding the many sagacious traits exhibited by birds, 
it is, to judge from the books, rather unusual for them to lay up 
