BIEDS—PICIDAE—COLAPTES MEXICANUS. 
121 
The female is similar in every way, perhaps a little smaller, but lacks the reel moustache. 
This is, however, indicated by a brown tinge over an area corresponding with that of the red 
of the male. 
In the present specimen (1886) there is a slight indication of an interrupted nuchal red band, 
as in the common Flicker, in some crimson fibres to some of the feathers about as far behind the 
eye as this is from the bill. A large proportion of males before me exhibit the same character¬ 
istic, some more, some less, although it generally requires careful examination for its detection. 
It may possibly be a characteristic of the not fully mature bird, although it occurs in two out 
of three male specimens. 
There is a little variation in the size of the pectoral crescent and spots ; the latter are some¬ 
times rounded or oblong cordate, instead of circular. The bill varies as much as three or four 
tenths of an inch. The rump, usually immaculate, sometimes has a few black streaks. The 
extent of the red whisker varies a little. In skins from Oregon and Washington the color of 
the back is as described ; in those from California and New Mexico it is of a grayer cast. There 
is little, if any, variation in the shade of red in the whiskers and quill feathers. 
There is some difference in size of this species, not only in the same locality, but, as a general 
rule, the more southern specimens are smaller. 
This species is distinct from the C . mexicanoides of Lafresnaye, though somewhat resembling it. 
This is, however, a smaller bird ; the red of the cheeks deeper ; the whole upper part of head 
and neck uniform reddish cinnamon without any ash, in marked contrast to that on the sides of 
the head. The back is strongly glossed with reddish brown, and the black transverse bars are 
much more distinct, closer and broader. 
