1896.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 129 



produced by abrasion. Female molts exactly as in the male, but its 

 plumage lacks the red nuchal band. 



Dryobates pubescens (Linn.). Downy Woodpecker. 



]Molts and plumages as in the last. Some spring specimens show 

 a renewal of some of the breast feathers, but this may also take place 

 in v'lUosus. A fall specimen of each species exhibits a remarkably 

 worn " moth-eaten " appearance on the breast and flanks probably 

 due to a peculiarity in the habits of these individuals. 

 Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. 



Male. — Three plumages, first, winter and nuptial. 



The molt of the first plumage of the head and breast of this species 

 continues all through the fall and winter and one taken April 8th, 

 (Philadelphia, Pa.), shows a few new feathers appearing on the 

 crown and throat. The winter plumage is, therefore, a mottled one. 

 The breeding bird is hardly different from the full plumaged spring 

 individual, as abrasion produces but little effect. Female molts 

 like the male. Adult plumage diflTers in having the throat white, 

 some individuals have the crown black, others red ; whether this 

 is due to age or .purely individuality I cannot determine. 



Ceophloeus pileatus (Linn.). Pileated Woodpecker. 



Three plumages, first, winter and nuptial. 



This species shows but little variation in plumage. There is no 

 spring molt, but the nuptial dress is somewhat abraded and browner 

 than the winter plumage. 



Melanerpes erythrocepbalus (Linn.). Red-headed Woodpecker. 



Three plumages, first, winter and nuptial. 



The first plumage is retained for a long time ; of four specimens 

 showing the transition to the adult, only one has data,!, e., Haddon- 

 field, N. J., Dec. 2, 1880, No. 1,405 Coll.. W. Stone. This I think is 

 probably the regular time for the molt, as specimens taken in Octo- 

 ber show no signs of a change. The annual molt of the adult occurs 

 during the middle of August as usual. Whether they have any 

 spring molt I am unable to say positively. The plumage is but little 

 affected by abrasion, so that the unworn appearance of spring birds 

 is not necessarily an evidence of a recent molt. Very highly colored 

 individuals have a red patch on the center of the abdomen. 

 Melanerpes carolinus (Linn.). Red-bellied Woodpecker. 



Without a satisfactory series I am unable to describe the molt of 

 this bird in detail, but it is apparently the same as in the preceding 

 species. 



