DESCRIPTIOXS OF TWO NEW SUBSPECIES OF THE DOWNY 

 WOODPECKER, DRYOBATES PUBESCENS (LINN.EUS). 



By Haery C. Oberhol«er. 



The coinparison of a series of Dryohafes puhescens from Alaska with 

 a similar series of specimens from Florida reveals at once a striking 

 diliterence between the representatives of this species from these widely 

 separated localities; the birds from the northern half of the eastern 

 United States being in every respect perfectly intermediate between 

 these two extremes. The Florida birds present the minimum of size, 

 combined W'ith dullness of coloration; while those from Alaska are 

 largest, the light-colored portions of the plumage being of greater 

 extent and pure white. 



It therefore becomes necessary either to entirely disregard the evi- 

 dent geographical variation here exhibited, or to recognize instead of 

 one, three races of Bnjohates ^mhescens in northern and eastern North 

 America. It is, however, not without considerable hesitation, and only 

 after the cai'eful examination and comparison of a large number of 

 specimens (altogether 200), that the writer has decided to attempt to 

 characterize these subsi)ecies.' 



While the differences assigned are perhaps not such as to positively 

 determine by any single character every given individual, yet the 

 average distinctions are readily appreciated upon comparison, and the 

 diagnoses are based upon what may be considered fairly well differen- 

 tiated averages. 



For the form of Downy Woodpecker inhabiting t]ie Gulf States there 

 is already a name available, as follows: 



DRYOBATES PUBESCENS MERIDIONALIS (Swaiuson). 



SOUTHEEN DOWNY WOODPECKER. 



Picus puhescens, LinN/EUS, Syst. Nat., Ed. 12,1766, I, 175 (part). 

 Picus (Dendrocoptis) meridionalls, SwAiNSON, Fauna Bor. Aiiier., II, 1831, 308. 

 Pious Je contei, Jones, Ann. Lye. N. Y., IV, 1857, 489, pi. XVII (Georgia, three- 

 toed specimen). 

 I>[i-ijol)aies'] pubescens, Cabanis, Mus. Hein., IV, June 15, 1863, 62 {part). 



i^uhspecljic characters. — Similar to Dryohafes puhescens, but smaller; 

 the lower parts more brownish, the white markings of wings and tail 

 averaging of less extent. 



'The. writer takes this occasion to express to Mr. Robert Ridgway, of the National 

 Mnseuui, his indebtedness for many favors incident to the preparation of tlie present 

 paper. To Dr. J. A. Allen and Mr. F. M. Chapman, of the American Museum of 

 Natural History, and to Messrs. William Brewster and Gerrit S. Miller, jr., as well, 

 obligations are acknowledged for courtesy in regard to the loan of specimens. 



Proceedings of tbo United States National Museum, Vol. XVIII — Xo. 1080. 



547 



