DRTOBATES NUTTALLII (GAMB.). NUTTALL'S WOODPECKER. 



BY B. T. GAULT. 

 I 



This species, which bears a close resemblance to the Texan 

 Woodpecker {Dryobates scalaris), may be easily recognized from 

 the latter by the white nasal tufts and the markings of the tail 

 feathers. 



In Dryobates scalaris the nasal feathers are of a brownish-yel- 

 low; those of Diyobates nuttallii are said to be always white. The 

 lateral tail feathers are also marked very sparingly with black; in 

 some cases they are very nearly white. But in any case they are 

 not marked so extensively as those of Dryobates scalaris. The 

 white bars of the back seem to be broader, and are confined more 

 to the dorsal region. There are other characters which serve to 

 distinguish the species which, however, is regarded as varietal by 

 some writers. 



Two specimens of this bird, a male and female, that are now 

 before me, show traces of a pinkish tinge on the breast; more de- 

 cided on the female than in the case of the male. Young birds are 

 said to have the whole top of the head red, as in D. scalaris. 



According to our best authorities, this bird seems to be confined 

 chiefly to the region west of the Coast Range, in California and 

 Oregon, and found as far south as San Diego. Dr. Gambel, who 

 first discovered this bird near Los Angeles, Cal., describing it in the 

 Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, speaks of 

 finding it in California during all seasons. 



Dr. Cooper did not observe it west of the Coast Range, except 

 at Santa Barbara; nor did he observe any round gardens or or- 

 chards. Mr. Ridgway seems only to have met witb the bird in the 

 Sacramento Valley. Dr. Gambel describes it as having habits usual 

 to woodpeckers. Dr. Cooper speaks of it as being a bird of very 

 industrious habits, and not easily frightened, when hammering on 

 the bark of trees, permitting a near approach; at other times when 

 pursued, it become more wary and suspicious. Mr. Ridgway was 

 struck by the peculiarity of its note, being a prolonged, querulous, 

 rattling call, unlike that of any other bird known to him. 



From the fact that not much has been said regarding this spe- 

 cies, and particularly its breeding habits, I have deemed it worthy 



