424 THE GAIRDNER WOODPECKER. 



valleys of more heavily timbered section ; intergrades with next form on eastern 

 slopes of Cascades. 



Authorities. — Dawson, Auk, X'ol. XIV". 1897, p. 174. J. E(H ). 



Specimens. — V. of W. Prov. 



IN the nature of the case the line of deniarcation cannot be clearly 

 drawn between this species and the more abundant Gairdner's. Specimens 

 taken by Dr. J. C. Merrill, U. S. A., at Fort Sherman, Idaho, near our 

 eastern boundary, were doubtfully referred to this subspecies, and really 

 represent intergrades between Iioiiionis and gairdncrii. I have seen specimens 

 in Spokane Count\- which favored this form, in the whiteness of the under- 

 parts, much moi'e strongly than gairducrii. 



Moreover, Batchelder's Woodpecker, if it be he, is not nearly so com- 

 mon in the pine and larch districts of the extreme Northeast, as is the Rocky 

 Mountain Hair\-. In the covu'se of a two-weeks' trip along the Fend d'Oreille 

 in Ma}' and June we encountered it only once. Bendire met with Downy 

 W^oodpeckers of some sort near Walla Walla, but found them cf rare occur- 

 rence and confined to the willows of stream banks. 



No. 167. 



GAIRDNER'S WOODPECKER. 



A. O. \j. No. 394 a. Drjobates piibescens gairdncrii (And.). 



Description. — Similar to D. p. hoiiionis. but white spotting of wing still 

 further reduced, usually wanting on coverts : underparts smoky gray ; under tail- 

 coverts spotted or barred with black. Length of adult about as in D. p. iiicdianiis. 



Recognition Marks. — Sparrow size ; black-and-white pattern of head : white 

 back contrasting with black scapulars, etc.; much the commonest woodi)ecker; 

 wing scarcely spotted as compared with D. p. nicdiaiiiis : underparts smoky as 

 compared with D. p. homnrus. 



Nesting. — Nest: A hole, usually in dcciiluous tree, some 20 feet up. Eggs: 

 4-6, glossy crystalline white : roundefl ovate in shape. Av. size, .74 x .56 

 (18.8x14.2). Season: c. May ist; one brood. 



General Range. — Pacific coast district from southern California north to 

 British Columbia ; extends somewhat beyond eastern slopes of mountain ranges 

 southerly, shades into D. p. hoiiiorus along ridge of Cascades northerly. 



Range in Washington. — West-side, common resident, especially in lowland 

 groves and about clearings ; occupies eastern slopes of Cascades southerly. 



Authorities. — Picas qairdncri. Audubon, ( )rn. Biog. V. 1839, 317. T. C&S. 

 Rh. Kb. Ra. D^ Ss^ Kk.'B. E. 



Specimens. — U. of W. Prov. B. E. 



