MELANERPES. 413 
Tamaulipas, Real del Monte (W. B. Richardson), Temiscaltepec (Buillock'), 
Chimalpa, Mexicalcingo in the Valley of Mexico (F. Ferrari-Perez), Rio Frio 
Ixtaccihuatl (W. B. Richardson), Cordova (Sailé*), Las Vigas, Coatepec, Misantla, 
Huatusco, §. Lorenzo near Cordova, San Bartolo, Zentla, Chachapa 28, La Resur- 
reccion, S. Miguel Molino (Ff. Ferrari-Perez), Potrero (Sumichrast"), Jalapa 
(de Oca", F. D. G., F. Ferrari- Perez**), Zapotlan (W. Lloyd), Sierra Nevada de 
Colima (W. B. Richardson), Tonila (Xantus 1), Omilteme, Xautipa, Sierra Madre 
del Sur (rs. H. H. Smith), La Parada (Boucard °), Sola, Juchatengo (M. Trujillo), 
Oaxaca (fenochio, Sumichrast'"), Guichicovi, Gineta Mts.!7 (Sumichrast 14), 
Chimalapa (W. B. Richardson); British Honpuras, Pine-ridge of Belize, Chilomo 
(Leyland ®), Cayo, Southern Pine-ridge (Blancaneaur), Punta Placentia (0. S.) ; 
GuaTEMALA (Constancia '°), Chilasco, Rabinal, Ridge above ‘Totonicapam, 
Calderas®, Volcan de Fuego’, Volcan de Agua, Alotepeque (0. S. & F. D. G.), 
Toliman (W. B. Richardson); Honpuras, Segovia River (Townsend 22); NicaRaaua, 
Matagalpa, San Rafael del Norte (W. B. Richardson); Costa Rica, Volcan de 
Trazu (v. Frantzius, Hoffmann’, Arcé, Nutting?!, Boucard ©), Cartago, Monte 
Redondo, Zarcero de Alajuela, La Palma de S. José (Zeledon +), Naranjo 
(Boucard*°), S. José (v. Frantzius 15), Barranca (Carmiol 2, Zeledon), Dota 
Mts. (v. Frantzius °, Zeledon '*), Birris (Zeledon 17), Grecia, Potrero, Cervantes 
(v. Frantzius’); Panama, David (Lridges+), Volcan de Chiriqui (Arcé 8). 
A close examination of a very large series of specimens of this species from all parts 
of Mexico convinces us that it is not possible to recognize with any certainty the two 
races of Melanerpes formicivorus that have, of recent years, been called M. formicivorus 
and M. f. bairdi by American writers or MZ. melanopogon by Mr. Hargitt. The cha- 
-racter chiefly relied on is the extent to which the white markings of the feathers of 
the pectoral band are carried forward towards the anterior margin of this band. In 
northern birds these markings are only shown towards the lower edge, leaving the band 
itself wide and of a nearly uninterrupted black colour; the white marks become more 
extensive and more prominent in specimens from more southern regions, but nowhere, 
at least in Mexico, is one type prevalent to the entire exclusion of the other. 
Mr. Hargitt endeavoured to sort the British Museum specimens into the two forms; 
but the result is not satisfactory, for in several instances both forms are assigned to the 
same district. ‘Thus the type from Temiscaltepec is called M. formicivorus, but other 
specimens from the Valley of Mexico are named WM. melanopogon; the birds of the 
Sierra Madre del Sur are placed under the former title, but those from Oaxaca appear 
under both. 
We do not think it advisable to attempt any division, but include all under one 
name, the species being on the whole very constant in its characters, but variable to a 
slight extent as regards the width of the dark band across the chest. 
M. fornicivorus is one of the most abundant of the Woodpeckers of our region, and 
