136 BanGs, The American Three-toed Woodpeckers. pase 
bars, than in true americanus; pattern of 2d and 3d rectrices usually, but 
not always, different from that of the other forms of the americanus 
series, the 2d rectrix being black basally, then white, and the 3d rectrix 
black for its basal half, then white, both feathers otherwise unbarred, 
though occasionally there is a white spot or two in the black basal por- 
tion, in both feathers the white extends down beyond the black on both 
outer and inner edges. In true americanus the 2d and 3d rectrices are 
usually spotted and half barred with black basally. Adult g with a yel- 
low crown patch, about chrome, smaller in extent and more mixed with 
black than is the crown patch in the other forms; adult 2 with the 
whole top of the head shining blue-black, but little freckled with white. 
Bill usually longer and stouter than in any other forms of americanus. 
Remarks. — P. americanus dorsalis is a large, alpine form of 
americanus inhabiting the southern Rocky Mountains. Mon- 
tana appears to be the dividing line between it and true amerv- 
canus and here at one place— Columbia Falls— one may get 
examples that approach true americanus, and others that are 
hardly distinguishable from dorsalis, except that all the Montana 
specimens are rather smaller than birds from farther south. 
P. americanus dorsalis can always be told from true americanus 
by its larger size, stouter, longer bill, whiter——less marked with 
dusky — sides and the longitudinal white striping of the back. 
The smaller crown patch of the @ and the different pattern of 
the outer tail-feathers are additional characters that usually but 
not always distinguish this race from true americanus. 
In any large series of true americanus, there will be sure to be 
some skins with the back continuously white and not barred with 
black; these have a look of P. americanus dorsalis, but their . 
smaller size and shorter, lighter bills show they are not that 
form; the white portion of the back is also wider than in 
P. americanus dorsalis. 
Picoides americanus bacatus,! subsp. nov. 
Picotdes americanus BREHM, No. 4o1, A. O. U. Check-List. 
Type.—From Bangor, Maine, No. 802, @ adult, Coll. of E. A. and 
O. Bangs. Taken by E.S. Bowler, March 25, 1884; skinned and sexed 
by E. A. Bangs. 
Geographic Distribution.— Eastern boreal America south of the St. 
Lawrence — south to the mountains of New York and rarely or casually 
' Bacatus, set with pearls. On account of the white of the back being 
reduced, in this form, to a series of spots. ; 
