The RED-SHAFTED or COPPER WOODPECKER (_Colaptes Mexicanus_), a very
similar species, inhabiting the Southern States of North America, Texas,
and Mexico, is of a light reddish brown on the top of the head and brow;
the upper part of the back is greyish brown, with undulating black
markings, and the lower portion white; the tail-feathers are greyish brown
with bright orange shafts; the chin and throat are light reddish grey; the
breast and belly somewhat deeper in shade, and spotted with black; the
throat is encircled by a red collar, and the upper breast decorated with a
black line; the chin is also indicated by a reddish line.
The manners of this species much resemble those of the species last
described; it is, however, shyer in its habits, and but rarely comes to
the ground. In the breeding season the male birds display considerable
animosity towards each other, and constantly utter a note resembling the
word "Whitto, whitto, whitto." The nest is made in a tree-trunk, and it is
not uncommon to hear the eager active couple hammering and bumping away
like carpenters until a late hour in the evening. The eggs have a pure
white shell.