XENOPICUS ALBOLARVATUS. 
WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER. 
LEUCONERPES ALBOLARVATUS. Cass. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1850), p. 106. 
MELANERPES ALBOLARYATUS. Cass. Jour. Acad. Nat. Scien. (1853), p. 257. pi. 22. 
PICUS ALBOLARVATUS. Baird, B. of N. Am., p. 96. 
XENOPICUS ALBOLARVATUS. Baird, B. of N. Am., p. 83. Mali. Mon. 
Pickke, vol. II. p. 222 (texte), pi. 01., fig. 314, vol. IY. 
This very singular Woodpecker is a native of California, and other States on the Pacific. It was described by Mr. Oassin, who 
gave to the species the appropriate name of Albolarvatm, or White-Masked, from the peculiar distribution of white over the head and 
upper portions of the neck. 
Mr. John G. Bell discovered this species in California, near a place called Sutter’s Mill. He says : “ I shot this bird at the 
Oregon Canon, near Georgetown, about twelve miles from Sutter’s Mill. It seemed to prefer the tall pine trees, and generally kept 
very high. In habits it appeared very much like the P. ViUosus. Its note is clear and sharp, and it is very active and lively in 
its movements. 
This Woodpecker seems to be very abundant in the vicinity of Fort Crook, in California, where the late Capt. J. Feilner, U. S. A., 
procured many specimens, which he sent to the Smithsonian Institution. It is one of the most conspicuous in appearance of all 
the woodpeckers inhabiting our territory, and, until lately, among the rarest. 
Head, throat, and upper portion of the breast — pure white. Occipital band, scarlet. Basal portion of the primaries, also white. 
All the rest of the plumage, black. 
The female is same as the male, but without the scarlet band on the occiput. The figures are life-size. 
