BIRDS. 159 



Alascens is.— In the country from ForD Simpsoa uorth and west, iucludiug the Lower Mackenzie 

 and Anderson Kivers, and all of Northern Alaska, occurs this well-marked race of the Three-toed 

 Woodpecker, which is characterized by the extent and amount of the white markings m^on the doi-sal 

 surface, mainly in the form of barring. The well-marked white postocular stripe reaches the back 

 and joins the nuchal collar, as in the other two races, but, as is the case with all the white head- 

 markings in this form, they are broader and more distinct than in the southern races. Commencing 

 at the nuchal collar and covering the dorsum extends a series of transverse white bars, two or 

 three on each feather, one of which forms the tip. These bars are generally so broad and distinct 

 that they occupy over one-half the surface of the back. In many examples the white encroaches 

 on the black until the latter appears only as spots along the border of the web of each feather, and 

 the back is covered by a much larger white area than in typical dorsalls. In Alaskan birds this 

 white area is generally mottled with darker, whereas in dorsalls the white area is usually unbroken. 

 In some cases the rump and tail-coverts are tipped with white, as in dorsalis, and again they are 

 heavily barred with white, the difference being shown most strikingly by the heavy barring of the 

 upper tail-coverts, which, in the southern forms, are usually much darker and with far less white 

 barring than in the northern. In some instances the white on the dorsum of the northern form 

 extends to the rump, and, occupying nearly all of the dorsal surface, forms an area very similar to 

 that present in dorsalis, but the two may be distinguished at a glance by the hoariness and much 

 greater amount of white exhibited by the northern bird. In many instances the barring of the 

 sides of breast, body, and flanks (which are usually very similar in the three races), is encroached 

 upon by the light colors in the northern bird until the under surface, as well as the back, becomes 

 extremely light. This race appears to reach its greatest divergence from the others on the Middle 

 and Lower Yukon. 



From the series ol americuiius before me, taken in Northern New York, and including both 

 summer and winter specimens, thei-e appears to be very little seasonal difference of plumage except, 

 owing to the greater amount of wearing incident to the summer season, birds taken at this time 

 have the white tips and borders of the feathers considerfbly lessened by abrasion, thus appearing 

 a little darker than winter specimens. The females and young birds possess no yellow on the 

 crown. 



From Fort Liard and Fort Simpson, on the headwaters of the Mackenzie Eiver, extending 

 thence north along the course of this stream and the Anderson River, and westward, covering all 

 the wooded portions of Northern Alaska to the northern tree-limit, occurs alascensis, outnumbering 

 by far the combined numbers of all the other woodpeckers of that region. It also extends its 

 range south across the Alaskan Mountains, encroaching upon the range of dorsalis in the Sitkan 

 region, and upon the island of Kadiak, whence tiie National Museum possesses typical specimens 

 of this northern form. 



Richardson records this bird as very abundant between Great Slave Lake and the Arctic 

 coast. On the Yukon these birds are said to prefer the groves of poplar and willow to the spruces. 

 During my visits to the interior I saw it alive only in a few instances, and learned nothing of 

 its habits. From the number of skins brought me by the fur traders, taken at various points along 

 the course of the Yukon, from near the mouth of that stream to the vicinity of Fort Reliance, its 

 great abundance is attested. We learn from Dall that the Yukon Indians dislike this bird and 

 call it TilieMalat, in common with the Kingfisher and the other woodpeckers. 



The natives are said to have a legend of this bird, a male of which — according to the 

 story — during a time of famine devoured its mate. Just as he was swallowing the last morsel 

 the other birds came trooping through the forest, and as they approached him he hastily wiped 

 his claws on the back of his head to conceal the deed. The new-comers inquired concerning the 

 whereabouts of his wife ; his unsatisfactory replies caused them to institute a search, and they 

 quickly detected the marks of fat upon the back of his head ; and ever since that day the males 

 of this woodpecker have borne the mark as a memento of the crime. 



