160 ZOOLOGY. 



eastern species. The only difference appears to be in slight but constant distinctions of 

 plumage. I observed both of these species in California, where they were quite common. In 

 the absence of the larger coniferje, Harris' woodpeckers frequented the oaks, &c., as it 

 occasionally does in the north. — C. 



Extremely common on the lower Columbia, especially among the willow trees lining its 

 banks. They are winter residents, and in these situations very abundant. In January, 1856, 

 I found them so abundant among the willows growing on the islands in the delta of the Willa- 

 mette, that I readily obtained eight in the space of an hour. At this season they are very 

 unwary, giving very little heed to the presence of man ; scarcely allowing the near discharge 

 of a gun to interfere with their busy search for food. — S. 



PICUS ALBOLARVATDS. 

 White-headed Woodpecker. 



Leuconerpea albolarvalm, Cassin, Pr. A. N. Sc. V, Oct. 1850, 106. California. 



MeUiiierpes albolarvatus, Cassin, Jour. A. N. Sc, 2d series, II, Jan. 1853, 257 ; pi. 22.— Newberey, Zool. Cal. and 



Greg. Route, 9, Rep. P. R. R. VI, 1857. 

 Lmconerpa albolarvalus, Bo.nap. Consp. Zyg. At. Ital. 1854, 10. 

 Picus (Xenopicus) albolarvatus, Baied, Gen. Rep. Birds, p. 96. 



Sp. Ch.— B'ourtli and fiftli quills equal and longest. Entirely bluish black, excepting the head and outer edges, with the 

 entire basal portion, of the primaries, which are white. Male with a narrow line of red on the nape. 

 Length about 9 inches ; extent, 16 inches; wing, 5}. Iris brown, 

 //uj. —Cascade mountains of Oregon and southward into California. 



The white-headed woodpecker I have only met with once. This was in a pine grove near 

 the Spokane river, October 28, 1853. It was in company with Harris' woodpecker, and several 

 species of titmice, nuthatches, &c. In habits it seemed closely to resemble the other small 

 woodpeckers. The country east of the Cascade mountains, resembling in many parts the dry, 

 open forests of California, seems to be suited to the habits of many species of birds, which, in 

 migrating north, shun the dark, damp forests of the lower Columbia. Several instances of this 

 fact occurred to me besides the present. — C. 



SPHYROPICUS RUBER, Baird. 



Red-breasted Woodpecker. 



Picm ruber, Gm. Syst. Nat I, 1788, 429.— Waqler, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 151.— AuD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 179 ; pi. 



416.— IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 261 ; pi. 266. 

 Melanerpes ruber, Rich. List, Pr. Br. Assoc, for 1835.— Bonap. List. 1838.— Is. Consp. 1850, 115. 

 Filutnniis ruber, Bon. Consp. Zyg. Aten. Ital. 1854, 8. 

 Picus fljiviventris, Vielllot, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 67. 

 Sphyrapicua ruber, Baikd, Gen. Kep. Birds, 104. 



gp Cg. Fourth quill longest ; third intermediate between fourth and fifth. Bill brown wax color. Head and necls all 



round and breast cannine red. Above black, central line of back from nape to rump spotted with whitish ; rump, wing coverts, 

 and inner web of the inner tail feathers white, the latter with a series of round black spots. Belly sulphur yellow, streaked 

 with brown on the sides. Narrow space around and a little in front of the eye black. A narrow yellowish stripe from the 

 nostrils, a short distance below and behind the eye. Length, about 9. 50 inches ; extent, 15. 75 ; wing, 5 inches ; tail, 3. 40 

 inches. Iris in bill and feet pale brown. 

 Bab. — Pacific slope of the United States. 



The crimson-headed woodpecker, though it is colored somewhat like the red-head of the 

 Atlantic States, can scarcely be considered analogous to it, as it appears to differ much in habits. 



