We THE RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. 
According to Nelson, this bird is abundantly distributed thruout the tim- 
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. cafer, viz., upon the eastern 
slopes of the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, and 
southward, specimens showing mixed characters of cafer and auratus are 
found—in such numbers, indeed, that they were formerly given a distinctive 
name, Colaptes hybridus Baird. This half-breed stock is perhaps the most 
interesting example of hybridization in American ornithology, presenting, as 
it does, not the familiar border-line of types being differentiated by varying 
environment, but the re-amalgamation of related types, differentiated ages ago 
from a common stock, presumably in Mexico. 
No. 178. 
RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. 
A. O. U. No. 413. Colaptes mexicanus collaris (Vigors). 
Synonyms.—ReED-WINGED WoopPECKER. HIGH-HOLDER. “ YELLOW-HAM- 
MER.” PIGEON WOODPECKER. 
Description —Adult male: Similar to C. auratus luteus, 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 stripe of scarlet (replacing the black stripe 
of C. a. luteus); sides of head and throat clear bluish ash; underparts tinged 
with lilaceous. Adult female: Like male but scarlet malar stripe replaced by 
brown. Between this and Colaptes auratus luteus every form of gradation 
exists. Hybrids (for such they really are) most frequently reveal themselves 
by the presence of three scarlet patches (in the male), 1. e., two malar and one 
nuchal. Length: averaging larger than C. a. Juteus, up to 14.00 (355.6); wing 
6.90 (175.3); tail 5.00 (127); bill 1.50 (38.1). 
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. luteus, and eggs indistinguishable. For nesting 
sites makes use of wooden buildings or earth-banks in default of trees. Season: 
May; one brood, rarely two. 
General Range.—Western United States and British Columbia from the 
Rocky Mountains to the Pacific and south into northern Mexico, giving place to 
succeeding form on northwest coast slopes, to C. chrysoides in extreme south- 
west, and hybridizing with C. auratus luteus in northeastern and northern portion 
of range. 
Range in Washington.—Fast-side, common summer resident and migrant, 
