290 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



COLAPTES CAFER $ ad. 



By an inspection of the preceding tables, it will be seen 

 that the long bill is by no means a constant difference. 

 While the length will average greater in ruftpileus, specimens 

 are found with the bill shorter than the average of cafer. 

 The two examples of cafer given in comparison with rufipi- 

 leus in the " Ornithology of Guadeloupe Island" were from 

 Washington Territory, and under the present arrangement, 

 I presume would be classed as saturatior, rather than as 

 " true Mexicanus" (cafer). 



As yet I have seen no description of the male plumage of 

 the Guad^ljrfupe Flicker, but I am informed that one is soon 

 to be published. 



Some of the specific characteristics which serve to distin- 

 guish this insular species from the continental form, cafer, 

 will be briefly noticed. 



In the majority of the specimens before me, the charac- 

 teristic of the more pinkish tinge to the rump and upper 

 tail coverts especially the latter seems to hold good. 

 But in some individuals these parts are whiter than will be 

 found in certain specimens of cofer. By raising the upper 

 tail coverts and viewing them from the under side, the 

 depth of the coloring may be best determined. This is of a 

 sulphurous tinge in auratus. 



The bright tawny forehead is usually brighter in the 

 males, and extends farther back on the neck. No specimens 

 of cafer, which I have examined, are as richly marked as the 

 most typical examples of rufipileus, but individuals of the 

 latter sometimes possess less of the tawny brown than ex- 

 treme cases among cafer. 



