THE SEARCHERS.. 



41 



The CUCKOO WOODPECKERS {Colaptes) comprise several species at once recognisable by 

 their decidedly curved beaks and variegated plumage. 



THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 

 The Golden-winged Woodpecker ( Colaptes auratus) has a long, broad, curved beak, which is 



TH-E GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER {ColafUs auiatu.). 



compressed at its tip ; the tars-us is considerably longer than the exterior toe, and in the wing the 

 fourth and fifth quills exceed the rest in length. All the shafts of the pinion and tail-feathers are 

 bright yellow or red. Upon the back the plumage is of a dull reddish brown, striped with black ; the 

 head and nape are grey, the former adorned with a crescent-shaped scarlet patch ; the rump is white ; 

 the upper tail-covers are yellowish white, the sides of the head and throat greyish red, and the bridles 

 and a streak upon the lower throat black ; the rest of the under side is wliite, spotted with black. 

 The quills are sulphur-yellow, and the tail-featliers briglit yellow, with dark tips. The female is 

 without the black cheek-stripes. The body is twelve inches and a half long and sixteen broad ; the 

 wing measures six inches and die tail foiu' inches and a half. 

 VOL. in. — 85 



