378 CLIMBING BIRDS— SCANSORES. 



ever observed trees to Le killed in this way, aud the holes made are so shal- 

 low as not to reach the principal sap-wood or inner liark. 



As this is a familiar, industrious little bird, we may hope to see it en- 

 couraged in the vicinity of orchards, at least until the true extent of benefit 

 or damage it produces shall be fuUy ascertained. 



This species, like P. Harrisii, will probably ultimately be considered as a 

 mere local variety of another (in this case P. puhcscciis). 



Picus Nuttalli, Gambel. 



NUITALL'S WOODPECKER. 



Picus Nuttalli, Gambel, Pr. A. N. Sc. I. April, 184.3, 259. (Los Angeles, Cal.) — Baikd, P. 



B. Uep. IX. Birds, 9.3. — Newbekry, VL 89. — Heermann, X. vi. 57. 

 Picus scalaris, Gambel, J. A. N. Sc. Phil. 2d Series, L Dec. 1847, 55; pi. 9, f. 2, 3 (not of 



Waglcr). 

 Picus Wilsonii, Malherbe, Rev. Zool. 1849, 529. 



Sp. Char. Back Ijlack, lianded transvursfly with whito ; not, however, as far forward 

 as the neek. Crown black, with white sjjots. Occiput aud uape crimson. Tufts of 



feathers at the base of the bill white. Sides of the head black, with two white stripes, one 

 above the eye and passing down on the side of the neck, the other below and interrupted 

 by the black. Under parts smoky yellowish-white, s])otted on the sides of the head with 

 black. Predominant color of the three outer tail feathers white, with three, two, or one 

 spot on the outer web near the end. Length, 8.00 ; wing, 4.50. 



Female, with the top of the head uniform black. Iris brown ; I.iill black ; feet gray. 



Hah. Coast region of California. 



This little woodpecker is abuiulaut towards the coast of California, and 

 among the foothills of the interior, west of the Sierra Nevada. It frequents 

 the oaks and smaller trees almost exclusively, avoiding the coniferous for- 



