38 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol.10 



daggetti Grinnell (1901, p. 12) should be the accepted designa- 

 tion of the breeding bird of California. 



As to the specific distinction of 8. ruber and S. varius, speci- 

 mens showing various degrees of intergradation between ruber 

 and S. v. nuchalis are of common occurrence. Coues (1903, p. 

 591) accorded ruber specific rank on the grounds that, although 

 the males of the two species intergraded, the sexes were alike in 

 ruber and different in varius, hence there was no intergradation 

 in the females; but occasional females of S. v. nuchalis are very 

 slightly, or not at all, distinguished from the males, which would 

 seem to overcome that objection. 



Phloeotomus pileatus abieticola (Bangs) 

 Northern Pileated Woodpecker 



Seen at Parksville. Errington, French Creek, Little Qualicum 

 River, Alberni, and Central Lake. At most of these points not 

 more than two or three birds were observed, and the species did 

 not appear to be common at any point visited. None was seen 

 at Nootka, nor anywhere in the higher mountains. Possibly six 

 or seven were encountered in the vicinity of Errington at various 

 times during September. They wire usually wary and hard to 

 approach, and as they remained much in the tops of the tallest 

 trees, it was difficult to obtain specimens. 



Wherever the birds were seen, sign of their work was also in 

 evidence, particularly on rotten or charred trees, which often 

 had large areas closely covered with punctures made by the 

 woodpecker. 



The pileated w lpecker of the northwest coast region has 



been separated by Bangs (1910. p. 79) as Phloeotomus pileatus 

 picinus, type from Sumas. British Columbia, distinguished from 

 P. p. abieticola by darker color, and restriction of white mark- 

 ings, especially on the throat. Host of our Vancouver skins are 

 darker than specimens at hand from California, Minnesota, and 

 Illinois, but they vary somewhat among themselves. A male 

 and a female shot at Errington in September, in fresh winter 

 plumage, are appreciably darker and more sooty than those taken 

 in April and May. Some of the Vancouver birds have the throat 

 purely and extensively white; in two it is mixed with a good 



