_Picus varius._—+Linn.+
Aud pl. 190.
[78] Length 8³⁄₄ inches, expanse 15¹⁄₂, flexure 5, tail 3¹⁄₄,
rictus 1²⁄₁₀, tarsus ¹⁷⁄₂₀, middle toe ¹⁸⁄₂₀
Four or five specimens of this beautiful Woodpecker, all females,
occurred to us, in the months of December, January, and February;
but at no other time was it seen. I have no doubt it is a winter
migrant from the northern continent, where, however, Wilson states
that it abides all the year. I have nothing to give of its history:
its manners, as far as observed, were those common to the tribe; the
stomachs of such as I dissected, contained wood-boring larvæ.