242 HARRIS' WOODPECKER. 



of lower mandible 1%; wing from flexure 4yf; tail 3 T 3 ^; tarsus yf; first toe 

 T 3 2, its claw ff; second toe ^, its claw -fj; third toe \\, its claw -ft; fourth 

 toe | f , its claw ^j. 



Adult Female. 



The female, which is somewhat smaller, differs in external appearance 

 only in having the upper parts duller and tinged with brown, the lower 

 more tinged with grey, and the bright patch on the head of a yellowish-red 

 tint and of much less extent. 



This species is very nearly allied to Picus villosus, and is very similar in 

 its colours, but differs in having the mandibles pointed, in being larger, in 

 having the top of the head red or yellowish-red, and in having its fourth toe 

 longer than the third. 



HARRIS' WOODPECKER. 



-f-Picus Harrisii, Aud. 

 PLATE CCLXI Male and Female. 



It is to Mr. Townsend that we are indebted for the discovery of this 

 singularly marked species, of which he has sent me a pair of specimens in 

 excellent preservation, both shot on the Columbia river, the male on the 

 ISth of January 1S36, the female on the 7th of September 1834. Having 

 been left at liberty to give names to whatever new species might occur 

 among the birds transmitted to me by that zealous naturalist, I have 

 honoured the present Woodpecker with the name of my friend Edward 

 Harris, Esq., a gentleman to whom I am most deeply indebted for many 

 acts of kindness and generosity, and in particular for his efficient aid at a 

 time when, like my predecessor Wilson, I was reduced to the lowest 

 degree of indigence, and removed from any individuals to whom I could 

 make known my wants. But, independently of his claim to scientific 

 recognition as the friend and supporter of one who has devoted his life to 

 the study of birds, he merits this tribute as an ardent and successful 

 cultivator of ornithology, and an admirer of the works of Him whose good 

 providence gave me so noble-hearted a friend. 



Harris' Woodpecker, Piciis Harrisii, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 191. 



