376 
BIRDS OF NEW MEXICO 
time drew near it disappeared, and I think it moved down the river” 
(MS). The diving habit of the Kingfisher saves the day when he is 
pursued by a swift-flying hawk (Johnson, 1925, pp. 585-586). One 
that was watched by Mr. M. P. Skinner escaped a Sharp-shinned Hawk 
by awkwardly swimming on the surface of the water and diving when the 
Hawk swooped (1928, p. 100). 
Additional Literature.—Baily, W. L., Bird-Lore, II, 76-80, 1900— Bendire, 
Charles, Life Histories of N. Araer. Birds, 11,34-39, 1895.— Dutciier, William, 
Educational Leaflet 19, Nat. Assoc. Audubon Soc.— Franklin, Dwight, Bird-Lore, 
XII, 233-236, 1910.— Gratwick, W. II., Bird-Lore, XXVIII, pp. 95-101, 1926.— 
Lincoln, F. C., Wilson Bulletin, XXXVI, 113-115, 1924 (territory note). 
[TEXAS KINGFISHER: Chloroceryle americana septentrionalis (Sharpe) 
Description. — Length: 6.7-S.5 inches, wing 3.4-3.5, tail 2.7, bill 1.6-1.8. Head 
without crest. Adult male: Upperparts dark metallic bottle-green , interrupted by 
white collar; tail and wings barred and spotted with white; throat and belly white, 
chest with brown band, sides and flanks spotted with greenish black. Adult female: 
Similar but without brown, white or buffy underparts crossed by two bands (the 
lower less distinct) spotted with green. 
Range. —Southern Texas and Sinaloa, Mexico, south to Panama. 
State Records. One specimen of the Texas Kingfisher was taken by Mearns, 
September 8, 1893, at Cajon Bonito Creek, Sonora, only six miles from the New 
Mexico boundary. The species was also taken by F. C. Willard, February 13, 
1910, on the San Pedro River near Fairbanks, Arizona, only a few miles west of 
New Mexico. It is therefore probable that it will eventually be added to the New 
Mexico fauna.—W. W. Cooke. 
General Habits. Its sharp squeak, as it buzzes up stream away 
from the observer, is the best clue to its presence” (Griscom and 
Crosby, 1926, p. 19).] 
WOODPECKERS, etc.: Order Piciformes 
WOODPECKERS: Family Picidae 
Subfamily Picinae 
The Woodpeckers with few exceptions have strong, chisel-shaped bills 
for excavating and highly developed nasal bristles for protecting the 
air passages; long extensible tongues barbed at the tip for spearing 
woodborers; strong, stiff, and pointed 
tail feathers for propping up the verti¬ 
cal body on the side of a tree trunk; 
Fig. 68. Tongue of Woodpecker anc ^ feet, armed with long, curved claws 
with two toes pointing forward, one or 
two backward, apparently for giving more strength and flexibility of 
motion on the sides of tree trunks. They are hardy birds, some of which 
winter far north. Many have long been known to be migratory and returns 
fi om banded birds show that others, supposed to be resident, are also 
migiatory (Lincoln, 1927b, p. 39). They feed largely on woodborers, 
and excavate their nests in tree trunks. Their voices are loud and 
