3ti BULLETIN FERGUS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 



X 



Distinguishing features: Like the hairy woodpecker, but smaller, 

 length 6-7 inches. 



402a. RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis. 



This woodpecker is not common near Lewistown, but doubtless oc- 

 curs generally in the wooded mountainous districts. Dr. J. A. Allen notes 

 that it was seen only on tne Musselshell, where several specimens were 

 taken. Messrs. Richmond and Knowlton report its breeding in south- 

 central Montana. I found this woodpecker breeding commonly in the 

 Flathead Lake region. f 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts black varied with white; red 

 patch on throat; patch of red on back of head; under parts smoky yel- 

 lowish; length 8-9 inches. 



406. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. Melanerpes erythrophthalmus. 



This handsome woodpecker occurs sparingly in the wooded coulees 

 near Lewistown, which is certainly near the western limit of its distri- 

 bution. On several occasions I have seen it along Big Casino, where it 

 breeds. On June 9, 1903, I noted the presence of the red-headed wood- 

 pecker at Cottonwood. Dr. J. A. Allen states that the red-headed wood- 

 pecker was abundant everywhere from the Missouri to the Yellowstone, 

 far outnumbering all the other Picidae together. It is migratory in this 

 portion of its range, making its appearance about the mddle of May, and 

 beginning to nest early in June. 



Distinguishing features: Head, neck, and upper part of body crim- 

 son; middle of back across, bluish-black; other parts white; length 9-10 

 inches. 



408. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER. Asyndesmus torquatus. 



Not very common. I have observed it but once near Lewistown, 

 or. May 18, 1899, when a specimen was seen clinging to a fence post along 

 Big Spring Creek. Presently it stood upon the post, from which position it 

 flew away when startled, and disappeared in a neighboring coulee. 



Distinguishing features: Upper parts greenish black; forehead and 

 cheeks crimson; collar and upper part of breast gray; lower parts chiefly 

 pinkish red; length 10-12 inches. 



412a. NORTHERN FLICKER. Colaptes auratus luteus. 



Dr. J. A. Allen reports that this species, the "yellow-shafted flicker,'' 

 was seen occasionally westward to the Musselshell. 



Distinguishing features: Shafts of wing-feathers yellow; otherwise 

 much like the red-shafted flicker, but "mustache" of male black. 

 413. RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. Colaptes cafer collaris. 



A common resident of the woodlands along the streams, though my 

 observations do not warrant my including it as a winter resident. If a 

 migrant, it is uncommonly early in making its appearance, for on March 

 30, 1901, the calls of this woodpecker were heard along Cottonwood Creek, 

 and several specimens were seen. 



Distinguishing features: Shafts of long wing-feathers red; upper 

 parts brownish, with black bars; rump and upper tail coverts white; male 



