58 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 
This species is not rare in the mountains, and occasionally a stray one is met in the valleys. 
Their call note, similar to the cry of a child in pain, is peculiarly disagreeable. Their quick 
restless motions and untiring diligence in quest of food, as they pass around the branches and 
trunks of the forest trees, are like those of the rest of the family. 
PICUS VARIUS, Linn.—Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. 
Picus vurius, Wils. Am. Orn. vol. I, p. 147, pi. 9, fig. 2.— Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 2C3, pi. 267.— Nutt. Orn. 
vol. 1, p. 574. 
? Spliyropicm nuchalis, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 103. 
Though one of our commonest species on the eastern side of the continent, I now introduce it 
for the first time into the fauna of California, having procured it at Fort Yuma, where it is not 
rare. 
PICUS THYROIDEUS, C a s s i n .—Black-breasted Woodpecker. 
Picus thyroideus, Cassin, Must. B. of Tex. & Cal. p. 201, pi. 32.— Ib. Proceed. Ac. N. Sc. Phil. vol. V, p. 349 
I procured this bird some three years since in the southern mines of California, where it 
frequents more especially the pine trees in search of food. I never saw it alight on the oak, 
though abundant in that locality. 
CENTURUS UROP YGIALIS, Baird .—Gila Woodpecker. 
Centurus uropygialis , Baird, Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. vol. VII, p. 120 .'—Ib. Gen. Rep. IX, 111. 
It was with great pleasure that I found this bird in considerable numbers on the Colorado, 
and am able to add another brilliant species to the fauna of California. Its ordinary notes 
resemble those of our red-headed woodpecker, ( Picus erythrophthahnics,) but it varies them often 
to a soft plaintive cry, as if hurt or wounded. I found, on dissection, their stomachs filled with 
the white gelatinous berry of a parasite plant. This plant grows abundantly on the mezquite 
trees, and its fruit forms the principal food of many species of birds during the fall. 
MELANERPES TORQUATUS, Wils.—Lewis’ Woodpecker. 
Picus torquatus, Wils. Am. Orn. vol. Ill, p. 31, pi. 20, fig. 3.— Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 280, pi. 272.— 
Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 577. 
Melcmerpes torquatus, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 115. 
This large and abundant species extends all over California, being found in considerable 
numbers in the mountains as far south as Tejon Pass. They appear of a gay and sociable 
disposition, occasionally darting in the air in pursuit of insects, or chasing each other in playful 
mood while on the wing. Their note is a feeble, oft-repeated twitter, continued while flying 
and when about to alight. On alighting they gently open their wings, moving them 
tremulously for some time, and more especially so if in company. 
MELANERPES FORMICIYORUS, Swains .—Ant-eating Woodpecker. 
Melanerpes formicivortts, Ca8sin’s B. of Cal. & Tex. p. 7, pi. 2.— Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 114. 
Picus formiciyorus, Swains. Taylor’s Phil. Mag. 1827, p. 439. 
These gay plumaged birds, residents of California, are found in every portion of the country. 
Like the Melanerpes torquatus , they appear to be gay and sociable, collecting at times (a dozen 
or more) on the topmost limbs of some decayed monarch of the forest, whence they dart suddenly 
in the air in pursuit of insects, to return again to their elevated position, soon to repeat the 
