North American Birds Eggs. 195 



407. Ant-eating Woodpecker; Striped-breasted Woodpecker. MrUiiirrprs furmi- 



Range. — ^Mexican border of the Fnitetl States, southward. 



This species may be identitietl by the bhiek region around the base of the bill, 

 the white forehead, red crown and nape, yellowish throat, and blackish upper 

 parts, extending in a band across the breast, this variety having the band 

 streaked with white posteriorly. The habits of this variety are the same as the 

 next which is most abundant in the United States. 



407a. Californian Woodpecker. Mchiiicriio: ionnicirrriis Ixiirdi. 



Range. — California and Oregon. 



This bird differs from the last in having fewer white stripes in the black breast 

 band. In suitable localities, this is the most abundant of Woodpeckers on the 

 Pacific coast. They have none of the bad habits of the Red-heads, appear to 

 be sociable among their kind, and are not afraid of mankind. It nests indiffer- 

 ently in all kinds of trees at any height from the ground, laying from three to 

 seven eggs. Size 1.00 x .75. This species has the lial)it of storing food for 

 future use developed to a greater extent than any other of the family. They 

 sometimes cf)mpletely honeycomb the exterior surface of decayed trees, with 

 holes designed t(j hold acorns. 



407b. Narrow-fronted Woodpecker. Mrlmirrpcs funiiicininiii aiigustitrons. 



Range. — Southern Lower California. 



This variety differs from the others in being slightly smaller and in having 

 the white band on the foi-ehead narrower. Its nesting habits are the same, but 

 the eggs average smaller. Size .*J5 x .75. 



408. Lewis Woodpecker. Ai<!ijiid€smu>< toninafus. 



Range.— Western United States from the Rockies to the Pacific coast; from 

 British Columbia south to Mexico. 



A very oddly colored species,^ 11 inches in length, 

 having a dark red face, streaked red and white under- 

 parts, a gray breast band, and glossy greenish black 

 upperparts. They are not uncommon in the greater 

 part of their range, can not be called shy birds, and 

 nest in all kinds of trees at heights varying from six to 

 one hundred feet from the gntund, the Hve to nine white 

 eggs measuring 1.05 x .80, and being laid tluring May 

 or June. 



