80 LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTE AMERICAN BIRDS. 



32. Picoides americanus alascensis (Nelson). 



ALASKAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 



Picoides tridactylus alascensis Nelson, Auk, I, April, 1884, 165. 



Picoides americanus alascensis Ridgway, Proceedings U. S. National Museum, VIII, 

 18S5, 355. 



(B — , C — , R — , C — , U 401a.) 



Geographical range : Alaska Territory; casually? south through western British 

 Columbia to northwestern Washington (viciuity of Mount Baker); east irregularly to 

 Great Bear Lake and the Mackenzie River Valley, Northwest Territory, Dominion of 

 Canada. 



The Alaskan Three-toed Woodpecker, described by Mr. E. W. Nelson in 

 "The Auk" (April, 1, 1884), is mainly distinguishable from the preceding species 

 by its much more conspicuous nuchal collar. and generally heavier white barring 

 of the back and rump, larger white wing markings, and with the top of the head 

 more or less mixed with Avhite. The most typical specimens of this race come 

 from central Alaska, and as it approaches the range of Picoides americanus on 

 the east it gradually intergrades with this as well as with Picoides americanus 

 dorsalis in the south, and it is largely a matter of individual opinion just where 

 to draw the line of its range; I prefer to restrict it mainly to Alaska. Very 

 little is as yet known about its general habits, food, etc., but it is not likely 

 that it differs much in these respects. It is probably a resident and breeds 

 wherever found. Mr. E. W. Nelson, in his report on the "Natural History 

 Collections made in Alaska, 1877-1881," published by the Signal Service, United 

 States Army, 1887 (p. 159), says: "On the Yukon these birds are said to prefer 

 the groves of jjoplars and willows to the spruces. During my visits to the 

 interior I saw it alive only in a few instances, and learned nothing of its 

 habits. From the number of skins brought me by the few traders, taken at 

 various points along the course of the Yukon, from near the mouth of that 

 stream to the vicinity of Fort Reliance, 1 its great abundance is attested." 



Nothing has been published about its nesting habits and eggs, but these 

 are not likely to differ from those of the preceding form. 



33. Picoides americanus dorsalis Baird. 



ALPINE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 



Picoides dorsalis Baird, Birds of North America, 1858, 100. 

 Picoides americanus dorsalis Baird, Ornithology of California, I, 1870, 386. 

 (B84, C 301a, R 368a, C 445, D 4016.) 



Geographical range: Rocky Mountain regions of the United States and the 

 Dominion of Canada; south to Arizona and New Mexico; north through Colorado and 

 intervening States; and through Alberta and eastern British Columbia to Fort Liard 

 and Cassiar, and occasionally to southern Alaska (Fort Kenay). 



The Alpine or " Striped-backed Three-toed" Woodpecker is the most south- 

 ern representative of this genus, and appears to be confined mainly to the Rocky 



■The Fort Reliance referred to by Mr. Nelson is situated on the Upper Yukon River, in Alaska; 

 another (now abandoned) Hudson Bay Company post, situated on the eastern end of Great Slave Lake, was 

 similarly named, and should not be confounded with it. 



