SPHYRAPICUS THYROIDEUS. 
“ The note of this species is very peculiar, and is appreciably different from that of any other of its family with which I am 
acquainted. It is loud and of much volume, but very guttural in tone, consisting of two or three short harsh syllables, quickly 
repeated, and followed by a succession of rapidly pronounced trilling notes, in the same guttural tone. Mr. Nuttall would probably 
have likened it to some such combination of letters as 1 kuk, kuk, k’r-r-r-r.’ 
“ Some specimens have a few reddish feathers intercalated among the brownish ones of the chin, forming an imperfect spot 
something like that of S. Williamsoni. In the majority of specimens, however, there is no red upon the head or neck. The black 
pectoral spot varies greatly in its purity and extent, being sometimes scarcely appreciable. The iris of both sexes is clear light 
brown. The bill, legs, and feet are deep-leaden bluish-black.” 
Head and throat reddish brown, -with obscure lines and spots of black ; the male (?) has a small red spot on the chin. Back, 
wing-coverts, flanks, and lower tail-coverts yellowish, striped transversely with white and black. A broad transverse band of black 
on the upper part of the breast. Rump and upper tail-coverts white ; middle of abdomen yellow. Primaries and tail black, 
irregularly spotted with white. Bill black ; feet and tarsi bluish-black. The figures are of the natural size. 
