P I C U S rubiginosus. 

 Brozmi Woodpecker. 



Generic Character. 



iiostrum polyedrum, rectum, in apicem compressum, cuneatum, attemiatum. 



Nares basales, ovales, patula, plumis angustis recumhentibus tecta. 



Lvigua longissima, jaculatoria, cipice sagittato. Cauda redricibus validis, 



rigidis, acuminatis, 10, intermediis duabiis longioribus. Pedes scansorii. 



Typus Genericus Pkm viridis. 



Bill many-sided, straight, the tip resembhng a compressed pointed wedge. 

 Nostrils basal, oval, open, covered externally with narrow recum- 

 bent feathers. Tongue very long, retractile, the tip barbed. Tail- 

 feathers ten, strong, rigid, acuminated ; the two middle ones longest. 

 Feet climbing. 



Generic Type Picus viridis. 



Specific Character. 



P. supra rubiginosus : vei'tice nigrescente ; occipite rubro, subtusfuho, fusco- 



fasciato. 

 Above tawny rufous. Crown blackish ; hind head crimson, beneath 



fulvous, with brown transverse bands. 



The Woodpeckers form a most natural family of birds, and 

 are dispersed in every part of the known world, excepting the 

 Polar regions. Eight species inhabit Europe, five of which 

 are found in our own country. The largest however of these, 

 the Great Black Woodpecker, is very rare ; and even the others 

 are less frequently seen than formerly, from the gradual diminu- 

 tion of our few remaining forests. 



The present appears an undescribed species, and was sent 

 from the Spanish Main to E. Falkner, Esq. of Fairfield. 1 have 

 since seen the male, which, like many others of this genus, is 

 distinguished by a patch of red below the eye. 



Total length, eight inches and a half; bill one inch long, 

 blackish ; front and crovm cinereous black ; the hind head ami 

 PI. 14. 



