BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 121 



SPHYRAPICUS VARIUS. {Linn) 

 Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. 



Winter Plumage, Male. — Above, black, variegated with brown 

 and dull white, becoming dull white on the upper tail-coverts; crown, 

 crimson (often interrupted with brownish), bordered by a narrow line 

 of black ; a streak above the eye and a broader one from the bill, 

 passing below the eye and down the neck to sides of the breast, 

 yellowish white ; ends of wing-coverts, white, forming a broad bar ; 

 ciuills spotted with white ; throat, crimson, with a band of inter- 

 mi.xed black and brown upon the breast ; sides, light brown 

 mottled with black; belly, pale yellow; inner tail-feathers edged 

 with dull white ; outer feathers edged with white, becoming light 

 brown at the tips. 



Winter Plumage, Female. — Above, black, variegated with white 

 and light brown ; crown, crimson, mottled with light brown, and 

 bordered narrowly with black at the nape ; a dull brownish white 

 stripe passing from the base of the bill under the eye to the sides of 

 the neck ; throat, dull brozvnish zvhite, becoming brown on the 

 breast ; sides mottled with black ; belly, pale yellow. Immature 

 birds, without black on the breast or red on the head, and in c\'cry 

 intermediate stage to the adult. 



Length 8.35, wing 4.75, tail 3.20, tarsus .70, bill .96. 

 16 



