446 THE RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. 



According to Nelson, this bird is abundantly distributed thruuut the tini- 

 bered portions of Alaska, west even to the neighborhood of Bering Straits, and 

 it is only surprising that so few of them come straight south to winter. 



Upon the eastern borders of the range of C. cafcr, viz., upon the eastern 

 slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Britisli Columbia, Idaho, Montana, and 

 southward, specimens showing mixed characters oi ■ cafcr and auratus are 

 found — in such numbers, indeed, that they were formerly given a distinctive 

 name, Colaptcs liybridus Baird. This half-breed stock is perhaps the most 

 interesting exam])le wf liybridization in American ornithology, ])resenting, as 

 it does, not the familiar border-line nf types being differentiated by varying 

 environment. ])ut the re-amalgamation (if related types, differentiated ages ago 

 from a common stock. i)resumal.)l\' in Mexico. 



No. 178. 



RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. 



A. O. U. Xo. 413. Colaptes mexicaniis collaris (Mgors). 



Synonyms. — Red-winced W'ooDPiiCKEK. High-holder. "Yhllow-h.\.m- 

 MER." Pigeon Woodpecker. 



Description. — Adult male: Similar to C. auratus lutcus, but yellow of 

 feather-shafts, etc., replaced by orange-vermillion ; cast of upper plumage cor- 

 respondingly reddish (very faintly, a mere vinaceous tinge to the brown); no 

 scarlet nuchal patch; a broad malar strijjc of scarlet (replacing the black stripe 

 of C. a. lutcus); sides of head ami throat clear bluish ash; underparts tinged 

 with lilaceous. Adult fciualc: Like male but scarlet malar stripe replaced by 

 brown, lietween this and Colaf'tcs auratus lutcus every form of gradation 

 exists. Hybrids (for such they really are) most frequently reveal themselves 

 by the jiresence of three scarlet patches (in the male), i. e.. two malar and one 

 nuchal. Length: averaging larger than ('. <;. lutcus. up to 14.00 (355-6) ; wing 

 6.90 (175.3); tail 5.00 (127); bill 1.50 (3'*^.!). 



Recognition Marks. — Little Hawk size; brown finely barred with black 

 above; underparts heavily spotted with black; flame-color of under wing surface 

 prominent in flight; scarlet malar stripe of male distinctive; lighter than suc- 

 ceeding. 



Nesting. — Much as in C. a. lutcus. and eggs indistinguishable. For nesting 

 sites makes use of wooden Ijuildings or earth-banks in default of trees. Season: 

 May: one l)rood, rarely two. 



General Range. — Western L'nited States and British Columbia from the 

 Rocky Mountains to the Pacific and south into northern ]\Iexico, giving place to 

 succeeding form on northwest coast slopes, to C. chrysoidcs in extreme south- 

 west, and Inbridizing with C. auratus lutcus in northeastern and ncirthern portion 

 of range. 



Range in Washington. — East-side, common summer resident and migrant. 



