ZOOLOGY-BIRDS. 
59 
same manoeuvre. When gathered in numbers their loud and querulous notes are heard at all 
hours of the day, as they are among the noisiest and most clamorous birds of this family. In 
the fall this species has the curious and peculiar habit of laying up provision against the 
inclement season. Small round holes are dug in the bark of the pine and oak, into each one of 
which is inserted an acorn, and so tightly is it fitted or driven in that it is with difficulty 
extracted. The hark of the pine trees, when thus filled, presents at a short distance the 
appearance of being studded with brass-headed nails. Stowed away in large quantities in this 
manner, the acorns not only supply the wants of the woodpecker, hut the squirrels, mice, and 
jays avail themselves likewise of the fruits of its provident labor. The nest is hollowed out 
from the body of a tree or of some decayed branch, and varies from six inches to two feet in 
depth. The eggs, four or five in number, of a pure white, are placed at the bottom of this 
cavity, resting on the soft bed of dust and fine chips which have there fallen during the labor 
of excavation. 
MELANERPES ALBOLARVATUS, Cassin. 
Mdanerpes albolarvatus , Cassin, Journ. Ac. N. Sc. Phil, new series, vol. II, p. 257, pi. 22. 
Picus albolarvatus, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 9G. 
Mr. Bell, of New York, first discovered this species in the vicinity of Sutter’s mills, on the 
American river. It frequented the higher branches of the pines, keeping almost out of gunshot 
range. Active and restless in its movements, it utters at intervals its sharp and clear note as it 
pursues its avocations. 
COLAPTES MEXICANUS, Swains .—Orange-shafted Woodpecker. 
Colaptes mexicanus, Sw. Synop. of B. of Mexico, Philos. Mag. 1827, p. 440.— Rich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 815. 
Picus mexicanus, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 290, pi. 274. 
Colaptes collaris, Vigors, Zool. of Beecliey’s Voyage, p. 24, pi. 9. 
Abundant, having procured specimens not only in California but also in the Rocky 
mountains. New Mexico, and Texas. Its habits are those of our golden-winged woodpecker, 
(Colaptes auratus.) It passes much of its time on the ground, carrying havoc among the 
ant-hills spread over all the dry portions of the country, occasionally varying its fare with such 
berries and wild fruits as there abound. 
COLAPTES AYRESII, Aud .—Red-moustached Woodpecker. 
Picus ayresii, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VII, p. 318, pi. 494. 
Rare, having met with hat two specimens in the mountains bordering the Cosumnes river. 
GEO COCCYX MEXICANUS, G m e 1 .—Chaparral Cock. 
Geococcyx variegala, Wagler, Isis, 1831, p. 524. 
Saurothera marginaia, Kaup. Isis, 1832, p. 991. 
Saurolhera botlae, Blainville, Less. Tratte d’Oiu. vol. I, p. 145. 
Phasianus mexicanus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 741. 
Geococcyx californianus, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 73. 
We found this bird throughout California, frequenting at times the most arid portions of the 
country. It often crossed our path, or ran before us for a short distance on the road, dashing, 
when alarmed, immediately into the chaparral, where, swift of foot, it easily evaded pursuit. It 
