MISSOURI RED-MOUSTACHED WOODPECKER. 349 



same, but there exists some difference in its notes. The bill is considerably- 

 less curved, and the markings, though much like those of the latter, differ in 

 the rounded spots that ornament the lower parts of the body, are much less 

 in size, and incline downward, instead of being placed crossways; and 

 although the tfrb'd quill is the longest in both, in the present species, the 

 first is much shorter. 



I have named this handsome bird after my young and learned friend W. 

 0. Atres, Esq., who is well known to science as an excellent ichthyologist; 

 and who also is well conversant with the birds of our country. 



Missouri Red-moustached Woodpecker, Picus Ayresii, Aud. 



12^, 20. 



Valleys and ravines of the prairies of the Upper Missouri. 



In the Adult Male, the upper part of the head, cheeks, throat downward 

 to near the black patch, of an iron-grey tinged with reddish-buff; lores and 

 around the eye brighter; a transverse very narrow band of carmine on the 

 hind neck; backj scapulars, and secondaries light reddish-brown, tinged with 

 dull green, transversely spotted with black; rump white; tail coverts white, 

 with black markings; primaries and tail feathers blackish-brown, the shafts 

 yellow. A red moustache or streak on each side of the throat from the edge 

 of the lower mandible; lower parts reddish-white, and spotted with black, as 

 well as a large semilunar patch on the fore part of the breast; lower surface 

 of quills and tail feathers yellow, the latter black toward the end. 



The female is similar to the male, somewhat smaller, but without the red 

 patch or moustache on the sides of the throat. 



Bill to end of tail 12-^ inches; alar extent 20; wing from flexure 6 T 7 g-; bill 

 along the ridge li, along the edge rather more than 1^; tarsus 1-g-; middle 

 toe 1, its claw ^; hind toe f, its claw f; tail 4^-. 



