Part 28

These interesting little Owls, which are found in the Rocky Mountains, westward from British Columbia to Mexico, feed in the day time upon insects, mice and occasionally small birds. They are to be seen in the wooded districts. Nest in holes of trees. Four eggs (1.00 × .90).

FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWL. 380. Glaucidium phalænoides. 7 inches.

This is very similar to the last, but in color is much more rufous on the upper parts, and the tail is of a bright chestnut color crossed by several bands of black. They live largely on the small rodents and birds which they secure during the daytime. They nest in hollow cavities of trees, from ten to forty feet from the ground, laying four glossy white eggs (1.10 × .90).

ELF OWL. 381. Micropallas whitneyi. 6 inches.

This odd little bird is the smallest of the family found in America. In plumage it may be described as being very like a small Screech Owl, without the ear tufts, only with the pattern of the markings much finer. They are quite abundant in central Mexico and in southern Arizona, where they build their nests in deserted Woodpecker holes, or perhaps more frequently in the giant cactus. It differs from the preceding in being a bird of the night, rarely flying in daylight. They feed almost exclusively upon insects, and rarely a mole or field mouse. They lay from three to five white eggs, having a slight gloss (1.02 × .90).

THICK-BILLED PARROT—Family Psittacidæ. 382.1. Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha. 16 inches.

A Mexican bird, casually found north to the Mexican borders of the United States. It has a heavy, thick bill; black; and the plumage is entirely green, except for the deep red forehead and wings at the shoulder; under-coverts of wings yellowish. Their eggs are white and laid in natural cavities of trees in the deep forests.

Order—COCCYGES.

ROADRUNNER. 385. Geococcyx californicus. 22 inches.

This curious species is known as the “Chaparral Cock,” “Ground Cuckoo,” “Snake Killer,” etc. Its upper parts are a glossy greenish brown, each feather being edged or fringed with white. The tail is very long, broad and graduated, the central feathers being much the longest; the feathers being tipped with white. They are noted for their swiftness of foot, getting over the ground at an astonishing rate, aided by their outstretched wings and spread tail, which act as aeroplanes. Their legs are long, and they have two toes in front and two back. Their food consists of caterpillars, lizards and small snakes.

CALIFORNIA CUCKOO. 387a. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis. 13 inches.

This bird is the same as the eastern variety, except being a little larger and the bill more stout. It may be distinguished by its blackish, long tail, tipped with white, and its yellow under-bill. Reddish brown patch on the wings.

Nest.—Is made of twigs loosely put together, and lined with grass, or shreds of grape vine bark. The nests are generally very shabbily built and so nearly flat on top that the eggs will frequently roll out. They are located near the ground in low bushes or trees; three or four eggs are deposited at intervals of several days, and frequently young birds and eggs are found in the nest at the same time. Like the Flicker this bird will continue laying if one egg is removed at a time, and as many as twelve have been taken from the same nest by this means. Eggs are a pale greenish blue (1.20 × .90).

COPPERY-TAILED TROGAN—Family Trogonidæ. 389. Trogon ambiguus. 12 inches.

This is the only member of this family of beautiful birds that reaches our borders. They nest in cavities of trees, usually in Woodpecker holes. Three or four white eggs (1.10 × .85).

BELTED KINGFISHER—Family Alcedinidæ. 390. Ceryle alcyon. 13 inches.

The rattling note of this well known bird is familiar in almost all localities in the neighborhood of ponds or rivers where small fish are common, throughout North America. Their food consists almost entirely of small fish, which they catch by plunging upon from high in the air, where they will hover over the water similar to the Osprey, or they will spend their time sitting upon an overhanging limb, and, when a fish is seen, drop from that upon the fish, usually taking it back to the limb to be eaten.

Nest.—Is located at the end of burrows, which they dig out of the sand banks or the banks of creeks and rivers, sometimes extending back from six to eight feet, usually with a little rise in the tunnel for the purpose of keeping it dry. They lay from five to eight glossy white eggs (1.35 × 1.05).

RINGED KINGFISHER. 390.1. Ceryle torquata. 8½ inches.

This is somewhat larger than the above, and found only on the most southern borders of the United States. Eggs white (1.45 × 1.10).

Order PICI—WOODPECKERS.

HARRIS WOODPECKER—Family Picidæ. 393c. Dryobates villosus harrisi. 10 inches.

This species is similar in every way to its eastern relatives and for coloring is as illustrated. The nesting habits of this and the sub-species are the same, and the eggs cannot be identified as being different. Four pure white eggs are placed at the bottom of some cavity, in tall trees usually (.95 × .70).

CABANIS WOODPECKER. 393d. Dryobates villosus hyloscopus. 10 inches.

Some lighter on the under parts than preceding (not illustrated).

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAIRY WOODPECKER. 393e. Dryobates villosus monticola. 10½ inches.

A trifle larger, and white below (not illustrated).

GAIRDNER WOODPECKER. 394a. Dryobates pubescens gairdneri. 7 inches.