MELANEEPES. 413 



Tamaulipas, Real del Monte (W. B. Bichardson), Temiscaltepec {Bullock^}, 

 Chimalpa, Mexicalcingo in the Valley of Mexico (F. Ferrari-Perez), Eio Frio 

 Ixtaccihuatl (W- B. Bichardson), Cordova {Salle % Las Vigas, Coatepec, Misantla, 

 Huatusco, S. Lorenzo near Cordova, San Bartolo, Zentla, Chachapa 23, La Resur- 

 reccion, S. Miguel Molino {F. Ferrari-Perez), Potrero {Sumichrast^''), Jalapa 

 {deOca\ F.B. 6., F. Ferrari- Perez^-% Zapotlan {W. Lloyd), Sierra Nevada de 

 Colima {W. B. Bichardson), Tonila {Xantus^^), Omilteme, Xautipa, Sierra Madre 

 del Sur {Mrs. H. H. Smith), La Parada [Boucard % Sola, Juchatengo {M. Trujillo), 

 Oaxaca {Fenochio, Sumichrast^''), Guichicovi, Gineta Mts.^^ {Sumichrast^^), 

 Chimalapa ( W. B. Bichardson) ; Beitish Hondueas, Pine-ridge of Belize, Chilomo 

 {Leyland % Cayo, Southern Pine-ridge {Blancaneaux), Punta Placentia {0. S.) ; 

 Guatemala {Constancia ^^), Chilasco, Rabinal, Ridge above Totonicapam, 

 Calderas^, Vol can de Fuego^, Volcan de Agua, Alotepeque {0. S. & F. B. G.), 

 Toliman {W. B. Bichardson); Honddkas, Segovia Rivex {Townsend^^); Nicaragua, 

 Matagalpa, San Rafael del Norte {W. B. Bichardson) ; Costa Rica, Volcan de 

 Irazu {v. Frantzius, Eoffmann^^, ArcS, Nuttmff^\ Boucard ^% Cartago, Monte 

 Redondo, Zarcero de Alajuela, La Palma de S. Jose {Zeledon^^), Naranjo 

 {Boucard^% S. Jose {v. Frantzius '^^^^), Barranca {Carmiol^^, Zeledon), Dota 

 Mts. {v. Frantzius ^^, Zeledon ^^), Birris {Zeledon ^^), Grecia, Potrero, Cervantes 

 {v. Frantzius ^^); Panama, David {Bridges'^), Volcan de Chiriqui {Arce^^). 



A close examination of a very large series of specimens of this species from all parts 

 of Mexico convinces us that it is not possible to recognize with any certainty the two 

 races of Melanerpes formicivorus that have, of recent years, been called M. formicivorus 

 and M. f. bairdi by American writers or M. melanopogon by Mr. Hargitt. The cha- 

 racter chiefly relied on is the extent to which the white markings of the feathers of 

 the pectoral band are carried forward towards the anterior margin of this band. In 

 northern birds these markings are only shown towards the lower edge, leaving the band 

 itself wide and of a nearly uninterrupted black colour ; the white marks become more 

 extensive and more prominent in specimens from more southern regions, but nowhere, 

 at least in Mexico, is one type prevalent to the entire exclusion of the other. 

 Mr. Hargitt endeavoured to sort the British Museum specimens into the two forms ; 

 but the result is not satisfactory, for in several instances both forms are assigned to the 

 same district. Thus the type from Temiscaltepec is called M. formicivorus, but other 

 specimens from the Valley of Mexico are named M. melanopogon; the birds of the 

 Sierra Madre del Sur are placed under the former title, but those from Oaxaca appear 

 under both. 



We do not think it advisable to attempt any division, but include all under one 

 name, the species being on the whole very constant in its characters, but variable to a 

 slight extent as regards the width of the dark band across the chest. 



M. formicivorus is one of the most abundant of the Woodpeckers of our region, and 



