RED-SHAFTED WOODPECKER. 413. Colaptes cafer collaris. 13 inches.
These birds are not inclined to search for their food among the trees as are most of the woodpeckers, but may often be found on the ground on the edges of the woods or in open fields, where they secure ants as their principal article of food. The top of the head is brownish instead of gray, and the under parts of the wings, tail and the quills are reddish orange and not yellow as on the eastern varieties. The male has a bright red streak from the bill extending back and below the eye, the female does not have this. The throat is a gray, with a black crescent on the breast, under parts light gray with numerous black spots, rump is white and tail is mostly black above.
Nest.—Is placed in holes of trees in the woods, or in any locality where they make or find a suitable hole.
GILDED FLICKER. 414. Colaptes chrysoides. 13 inches.
Very similar to above, with the under side of wings and tail yellow. Found only in southern California and Arizona southward.
STEPHENS WHIP-POOR-WILL—Family Caprimulgidæ. 417a. Antrostomus vociferus macromystax. 10 inches.
One of the birds that are heard much more often than seen, and in their habits they are very secluded, keeping in the dark woods the greater part of the time, rarely leaving its place of concealment before dark. In pursuit of insects, they are swift and noiseless, their soft plumage giving forth no sound, as their wings cleave the air.
Nest.—Is on the ground among the leaves, usually in dense woods. Their two eggs of a grayish or creamy white are very faintly marbled or marked with pale brown and gray. These birds are only found in southern Arizona, Texas and New Mexico.
POOR-WILL. 418. Phalænoptilus nuttalli. 8 inches.
The smallest of the family. A handsome species, with plumage mottled black, white and gray, beautifully blended together. To be found west of the Mississippi from British Columbia to southern California. Eggs are a pure white (1.00 × .75).
WESTERN NIGHTHAWK. 420a. Chordeiles virginianus henryi. 10 inches.
The nighthawk may be distinguished from the Whip-poor-wills by its forked tail in place of the rounded tail of the “Poor-wills.” It also has a white band near the end of the tail, and across the primaries, the latter making a very conspicuous mark when in flight.