NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



195 



407. Ant-eating Woodpecker; Striped-breasted Woodpecker. 

 rivorus. 



Melanerpes formi- 



Range. Mexican border of the United States, southward. 



This species may be identified by the black region around the base of the bill, 

 the white forehead, red crown and nape, yellowish throat, and blackish upper 

 parts, extending in a band across the breast, this variety having the band 

 streaked with white posteriorly. The habits of this variety are the same as the 

 next which is most abundant in the United States. 



407a. Galifornian Woodpecker. Melanerpes formiciverus bairdi. 



Range. California and Oregon. 



This bird differs from the last in having fewer white stripes in the black breast 

 band. In suitable localities, this is the most abundant of Woodpeckers on the 

 Pacific coast. They have none of the bad habits of the Red-heads, appear to 

 be sociable among their kind, and are not afraid of mankind. It nests indiffer- 

 ently in all kinds of trees at any height from the ground, laying from three to 

 seven eggs. Size 1.00 x .75. This species has the habit of storing food for 

 future use developed to a greater extent than any other of the family. They 

 sometimes completely honeycomb the exterior surface of decayed trees, with 

 holes designed to hold acorns. 



407 b. Narrow-fronted Woodpecker. Melanerpes formicivorus angustifrons. 



Range. Southern Lower California. 



This variety differs from the others in being slightly smaller and in having 

 the white band on the forehead narrower. Its nesting habits are the same, but 

 the eggs average smaller. Size .95 x .75. 



408. Lewis Woodpecker. Asyndesmus torquatus. 



Range. Western United States from the Rockies to the Pacific coast; from 

 British Columbia south to Mexico. 



A very oddly colored species, 11 inches in length, 

 having a dark red face, streaked red and white under- 

 parts, a gray breast band, and glossy greenish black 

 upperparts. They are not uncommon in the greater 

 part of their range, can not be called shy birds, and 

 nest in all kinds of trees at heights varying from six to 

 one hundred feet from the ground, the five to nine white 



^gs measuring 1.05 x .80, and : being laid during May 



June. 



fWhite.J 



