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July, 1915 WOODPECKERS OF THE ARIZONA LOWLANDS 153 of the excavators, but take forcible possession. In holes excavated by Gila Woodpeckers there may regularly be found nesting the Elf Owl, Ferruginous Pigmy Owl, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Arizona Crested Flycatcher. Occa- sionally a Cactus Wren makes use of the handy hollow, and once I saw one occupied by the nest of a Lucy Warbler. A big "rough-neck" scaly lizard frequents the holes when not too high in the cactus, and in two holes in willow trees I found snakes. It is not pleasant to insert one's hand and have a big lizard or snake crawl up the arm to escape. Rats and mice are sometimes found in the deserted holes, especially if the tree be much decayed and with cracks and hollows connecting holes at different heights in the tree or branch. So these woodpeckers may be considered among the class of innocent or unin- tentional benefactors. As a neighbor, the Gila Woodpecker is permanently on the map, and is afraid neither of being seen nor heard. He is much in the public ear with a variety of notes and calls. His sociable conversational notes somewhat resem- Fig. 53. PIMA INDIAN CABIN, WITH S'[?)BE OF CORN ON THE ROOF. A TREASURE TROVE FOB THE (?ILA WOODPECKER. ble those of the California Woodpecker but are shriller. In such of his notes as are directed at humanity there is a peevish complaining tone, especially if closely approached when feeding on fruit or some other delicacy. In such cases there is only one term that exactly describes his attitude and utterances, and that is the phrase "belly-aching". In fact all of his talk at us has a dis- tinctly "colicky" tone and one feels like giving him something to whine about. His ordinary call slightly resembles that of the Flicker but is not quite so loud; altogether he is quite a conversationalist. This woodpecker frequents houses and yards, and with slight encourage- ment comes regularly for food, not hesitating to call loudly for it if breakfast be much delayed. The Indians store corn in the ear on the flat tops of their houses and sheds (see fig. 53), and each home has one or more of woodpecker retainers or pensioners hanging about most of the time. This corn provides an abundant and sure source of food, and the birds make the most of it. I have never seen any indication of food-storage on the part of the Gila Wood-