54: PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



red, and invading to a considerable distance the pectoral spot of pure, deep, 

 glossy, greenish black. In the adult female the chin is white, bordered pos- 

 teriorly by a somewhat semilunar patch of red, not so intense in tint as that 

 of the male, nor so broad. The pectoral black spot, though rather smaller, 

 is equally pure in color. Both sexes invariably have the red crescentic nuchal 

 collar, separated from the red pileum by a distinct line of black. Autumnal 

 birds have the white portions of the upper parts and the belly more or less 

 strongly tinged with lemon yellow, especially noticeable on the abdomen. 

 Birds of the year hardly differ from the adults, except that the pectoral spot 

 is only indicated by a few isolated black feathers scattered through a dull grey 

 area. Tlie nuchal collar is always observable, though its continuity may not 

 he perfect. Independently of age, sex or season, there are great variations in 

 the. size and shape of the bill to be observed in large series from different lo- 

 calities. 



This is to be considered as a thoroughly established species. In an im- 

 mense series of skins of both species before me from all parts of North 

 America, there is not one which cannot unhesitatingly be referred to one or 

 the other species. 



41. Sphyrapicus Williamsoni (Newb.) Baird. 



Picus Williamsoni, Newberry, 1857, (Oregon.) Melanerpes rubrigularis, 

 Sclater, 1858, (California.) Sphyrapicus Williamsoni, Baird, 1858. 



Resident. Not uncommon. Exclusively pinicoline in the regions where I 

 have observed it. Ranges from both slopes of the Rocky Mountains to the 

 Pacific, fiom as far north at least as Oregon. Fort Whipple is probably near 

 its southern limit. 



(No. 844, Oct. 13, 18b'4. rj\) Length 9-5; extent 16-75. Iris dark brown. 

 Mouth pinkish flesh color. Bill bluish black. Feet dull greenish black. 

 Claws black. 



This species exhibits the anatomical peculiarities noticed under head of the 

 genus Sphyrapicus, and its habits aie entirely correspondent. 



42. Spbyrapjcts thyroideus (Cass.) Baird. 

 Resident. Very rate. Cliierly pinicoline. 



The range of this species is now known to include both slopes of the Rocky 

 Mountains, from Oregon to the Rio Grande, and probably it extends through 

 Arizona to the Sonoian border. 



Some male specin ens have the grey chin more or less suffused with reddish, 

 forming a mental spot something like that of Williamsoni. Neither sex ap- 

 pears to have any red about the crown or nape, a very unusual fact if such 

 he invariably the case. 



This species is strictly congeneric with Sphyrapicus varivs in anatomical pe- 

 culiarities and in habits, and has nothing in common with Colaptes beyond 

 some similarity in the pattern of coloration. 



Sphyrapicus ruber, as a bird of the whole Pacific Slope of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, will most probahly be hereafter detected. It seems chiefly, however, a 

 coast species. The Uylatomus pileatus is undoubtedly an inhabitant of Ari- 

 zona. 



43. Centueus uropygialis Baird. 



1 Rare, and perhaps accidental in the immediate vicinity of Fort Whipple. 

 A common bird of the Gila and Lower Colorado River valleys. " Abundant 

 at Fort Mojave," (Cou]>er.) A species remarkable for inhabiting the Giant 

 Cactuses, (Lepidocerws (jiganteus and/.. Thurberi, of Englemann,) whence 

 is derived its provincial name of " Suwarrow '' or "Saguaro." Its plumage 

 is often found stain' d with the juices of these plants. It feeds upon their 

 fruit, but catches insects as well The female is similar to the male, except 

 that she wants the quadrate patch of red on the crown. The absence of the 



[iMarch, 



