220 University of Calif orma Publications in Zoology ["Vol. 24 



typical nuchalis, but has all the appearance of what a hybrid should 

 be between two distinct species, varius and ruber. Presumably the 

 form nuchaUs does not occur this far north. 



Sphyrapicus varius ruber (Gmelin). Red-breasted Sapsucker 

 Five specimens taken at Doch-da-on Creek during July, two adult 

 males, one juvenal male and two juvenal females (nos. 39782-39786). 

 Probably several pairs had nested within the area we covered in this 

 region, for the birds were encountered at widely separated points. 

 There were certain favored spots, one clump of willows and one large 

 birch, in particular, where one or more sapsuckers were seen almost 

 every time we passed. These trees showed large areas of scars, the 

 results of assiduous work by the sapsuckers for a considerable period 

 of time. 



The five birds taken are typical examples of the dark colored north- 

 ern race of the red-breasted sapsucker {Sphyrapicus v. ruber). This 

 locality, Doch-da-on Creek, may be regarded as the easternmost limit 

 of ruber in this region, yet the race persists in typical form to this 

 extreme boundary. There is no indication of intergradation with 

 varius or nuchalis at this margin of its habitat, such as might be ex- 

 pected to occur. The relationships of the three forms, varius, nuchaUs, 

 and ruber, present an unsolved problem, whether we regard them as 

 species or subspecies. As between ruber and daggetti, however, there 

 is gradual intergradation exhibited by specimens from intermediate 

 points, such as we are accustomed to see in most geographic races, or 



subspecies. 



• 



Colaptes auratus borealis Ridgway. Boreal Flicker 

 Fairly common in the vicinity of Telegraph Creek, but so shy and 

 wary as readily to elude observation. The call note was frequently 

 heard, but days might pass during which none of the birds was seen. 

 Usually they kept out of gunshot. The few obtained were taken in 

 dense poplar thickets, where the birds were sometimes observed feeding 

 on the ground. 



On June 14 a nest was found containing one egg. On June 15 a 

 female was shot with partly formed eggs in the ovary. None had been 

 laid as yet. On June 17 a nest was found containing newly hatched 

 young. This was in the broken stub of a dead birch, about ten feet 

 from the ground. 



