580 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



liead. The back is strongly glossed with reddish-brown, and the black 

 transverse bars are much more distinct, closer and broader, three or four on 

 each feather, instead of two only. The rump and upper tail-coverts are 

 closely barred, the centre of the former only clearer white, but even here 

 each feather has a cordate spot of wliite. The spots on the flanks posteriorly 

 exhibit a tendency to become transverse bars. 



Specimens from Mount Orizaba, Mexico, are very similar to those from 

 Oregon in color, presenting no appreciable difference. The size is, however, 

 much less, a male measuring 10.50, wing 6.00, tail 4.60 inches, instead of 

 12.75, 6.75, and 5.25 respectively. While, however, the feet are smaller 

 (tarsus 1.00 instead of 1.15), the bill is fully as large, or even larger. 



Most young birds of this species have a tinge of red on top of the head, 

 and frequently a decided nuchal crescent of red ; but these are only embry- 

 onic features, and disappear with maturity. 



Habits. This species, the counterpart in so many respects of the Golden- 

 winged Woodpecker, appears to take the place of that species from the slopes 

 of the Eocky Mountains to the Pacific, throughout western North America. 

 Dr. Woodhouse speaks of finding it abundant along the banks of the Eio 

 Grande. And in the fine collection belonging to the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion are specimens from the Straits of Fuca, Fort Steilacoom, and Fort Van- 

 couver, in Washington Territory, from the Columbia River, from various 

 points in California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, 

 Mexico, etc. Dr. Gambel, in his Paper on the birds of California, first met 

 with the Eed-shafted Woodpecker soon after leaving New Mexico, and it 

 continued to California, where he found it very abundant. He describes it 

 as a remarkably shy bird, and adds that he always saw it on the margins of 

 small creeks, wdiere nothing grew larger than a willow-bush. Dr. Heermann 

 also found it abundant in California. Dr. Newberry, in his Report on the 

 zoology of Lieutenant Williamson's expedition, speaks of the Red-shafted 

 Flicker as rather a common bird in all parts of California and Oregon which 

 his party visited. He describes many of its habits as identical with those of 

 the Golden Flicker {C. auratus), but regards it as much the shyer bird. Dr. 

 Cooper also mentions the fact of the great abundance of this bird along the 

 western coast, equalling that of its closely allied cousin on the eastern side 

 of . the Mississippi. It also resembles, he adds, that bird so exactly in 

 habits and notes that the description of one will apply with exactness to the 

 other. It is a constant resident in Washington Territory, or at least west 

 of the Cascade Mountains. He observed it already burrowing out holes 

 for its nests in April, at the Straits of Fuca. About June 1 he found a 

 nest containing seven young, nearly fledged, which already showed in the 

 male the distinguishing red mustache. Dr. Suckley, in the same report, 

 also says that it is extremely common in the timbered districts of Washing- 

 ton Territory, and adds that its habits, voice, calls, etc., are precisely similar 

 to those of the Yellow-Hammer of the Eastern States. Mr. Nuttall, as 



