30 BULLETIN 174, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Dawson and Bowles (1909) say: "Doctor Cooper judged the Harris 

 to be the most abundant Woodpecker in Western Washington ; and this, 

 with the possible exception of the Flicker {Colaptes cafer saturatior) , 

 is still true. The bird ventures well out upon the eastern slopes of 

 the Cascade Mountains, and is found sparingly in the higher mountain 

 valleys ; but its favorite resorts are burns and the edges of clearings, 

 rather than the depths of the woods." 



Johnson A. Neff (1928) quotes Dr. I. N. Gabrielson as saying: 

 "The Harris woodpecker is found throughout western Oregon from 

 the western slope of the Cascades to the coast, altho in the Rogue 

 River Valley some specimens which are close to 'orius' have been 

 taken. I have one labeled 'orius' by Dr. H. C. Oberholser, also have 

 typical Harris from this district, so that this is probably the region 

 of inter-gradation between these two forms." 



Harris's woodpecker, like many other races of the humid Northwest 

 coast region, is darldy colored, one of the most easily recognized of 

 all the hairy woodpeckers. Even in Audubon's day it was recognized, 

 described, figured, and named by him in honor of his friend Edward 

 Harris. Ridg-way (1914) describes it as "similar to D. v. hylosco'pus^ 

 but under parts (including lateral rectrices) light drab or buffy 

 drab-gray, instead of white or nearly white, the head-stripes and 

 stripe on back also usually more or less suifused with the same color, 

 often uniformly light drab; average size slightly larger." 



Gourtshij). — Theed Pearse (1934) gives us the following interesting 

 description of the courtship display of this woodpecker : 



There were two males on the limb of a small cedar and my attention was first 

 drawn to them by their note, which is very similar to the flicker's "wickety" note 

 but softer, and might almost be described as "caressingly soft." Both birds 

 were calling. 



The displaying bird would draw in its head so that no neck was apparent, 

 with beak pointed outwards and upwards and would then slowly swing the 

 upper part of the body from side to side, thereby bringing into play the red 

 nape marking. Once the bird very rapidly lifted its wings into an upriglit 

 position, at other times there was a quivering flicking motion of the wings as 

 they lay against the sides. 



The two birds flew to another branch, settling side by side and instantly each 

 froze, the neck drawn in and the beak pointed upwards. They were perched 

 sideways on the branch and were displaying the white markings in the tail 

 which each of them would slightly spread and turn out (to one side). The 

 feathers of the back were at the same time hunched up as though to show up the 

 white markings there also. They did this several times before flying off 

 together. 



Nesting. — Although this is evidently a common bird within its re- 

 stricted range, surprisingly little has appeared in print regarding 

 its nesting habits. Authentic eggs seem to be very rare in collections ; 

 most of the eggs in collections, of which I have the records, that are 



