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ART. XXIV. — Descriptions of new species of Birds of the genera Melanerpes 



Swainson, and Lanius hinnaus. 



By John Cassin. 



1. Melanerpes albolarvatus, (Cassin.) 



Plate 22. 

 Leuconerpes albolarvatus, Cassin. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada., v. p. 106, 

 (Oct., 1850.) 

 M. % niger, facie, gula, reniigiuiiique basi albis, fascia occipitali angusta coccinea, $ absque fascia coccinca. 



Form. — Robust, wings with the fourth primary longest, secondaries broad, ab- 

 ruptly terminated, subernarginate; tail rather long, with the feathers soft at their 

 ends. Legs and feet rather slender. 



Dimensions. — 5. Total length of skin from tip of bill to end of tail about 9 inches, 

 wing 5, tail 3i inches. 



Colors. — 5 . Wide mask including the greater part of the head and extending to 

 the breast, white, which is also the color of a basal portion of both webs of the pri- 

 maries, and on the outer webs of some of them extends for two-thirds of their length. 



Narrow occipital band, scarlet. 



All other parts, including body above and below, wings and tail, black. 



9 . Similar, but rather smaller, and without the occipital band of scarlet. 



Hab. — Sutter's Mill, California; discovered by Mr. John G. Bell, of New York. 



Obs. — Several specimens of this new Woodpecker were brought home by Mr. 

 Bell, and are now in the collection of the Academy. His note accompanying them is 

 as follows: "I shot this bird at the Oregon canon, near Georgetown, about twelve 

 miles from Sutter's Mill. It appeared to prefer the tall pine trees, and generally 

 kept very high. Its note is clear and sharp, and it is very active and lively in its 

 movements." 



This bird does not resemble any other North American species with which I am 

 acquainted, though it is a true Melanerpes. 



2. Lanius pallidirostris, Cassin. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada., v. p. 244, 



(Aug., 1851.) 



Plate 23, fig. 1. 

 L. supra pallide cinereus, scapularibus maculaque alarum magna albis; subtus roseo-albus, pectore rubescente 

 rostro pallide corneo. 



Form. — Bill rather long and compressed, strong, wings rather short with the third 

 quill longest. General form strictly that of typical Lanius. 



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