ZOOLOGY. 
91 
covered with its crimson berries, on which they were feeding. From time to time several would 
meet on one of the high spruce lc stubs” which stood near, and apparently, have rare fun 
dodging each other around it; in this and in their generic rattling note indicating their 
relationship to the “ Red-head” of the east. 
They are always shy birds, and difficult to shoot; yet elsewhere they may he less so, for, in 
the previously unexplored region of California and Oregon which we traversed, the birds were 
all much more shy and difficult of approach than those of districts populated by white men. 
In its fly-catching habits, this species closely imitates the Californian and eastern members of 
the genus. 
MELANERPES ALBOLARVATUS. 
White-headed Woodpecker. 
This species we found only in the Cascade mountains of Oregon, where it is, apparently, not 
common. 
COLAPTES MEXICANUS. 
Red-sliafted Flicker. 
The Red-shafted Flicker is a rather common bird in all parts of California and Oregon which 
we visited. Many of its habits are identical with those of the Golden Flicker (C. auratus .) Like 
that species, he is often seen hopping along on the ground and seeking his food there, and the note, 
which has given to the eastern species the provincial name of “ Wake up,” is closely imitated 
by his western representative. The Red-shafted Flicker is, however, much the shyer bird. 
APTERNUS ARCTICUS. 
Three-toed Woodpecker 
This Woodpecker we found only in the Cascade mountains, within a hundred miles of the 
Columbia. 
GEOCOCCYX VIATICUS. 
Road Runner. Paisano. 
This singular bird, which is quite common in southern California and Mexico, we found as far 
north as Fort Reading, at the upper end of the Sacramento Valley. It is there limited to the hilly 
districts, and frequents the chapparal of “Manzanita,” Arbutus laurifolia, and “ Grease wood,” 
(Ceanotlius cunei/olius,) which, with scattered trees of the long-acorned oak and the nut pine, 
(Q. longiglandis and P. Sabineana,) form the vegetation of the district. The piles and ledges 
of trap rock give shelter to great numbers of lizards, and these appear to compose the greater 
part of the subsistence of the “ racer,” as it is called, its swiftness of foot being proverbial there, 
as in all localities where the bird is known. 
The Geococcyx is found throughout the whole range of hills bordering the Sacramento valley 
on the east, becoming more abundant towards the south. It is frequently brought into the 
San Francisco market and is reported very good eating. 
