The variations in this species are very slight, being chiefly in the shade of the yellow patch on the crown, which varies from a sulphur tint to a rich orange. Sometimes there is the faintest trace of a whitish post-ocular streak, but usually this is wholly absent. Western and Eastern examples appear to be identical.

PLATE L.

1. Picoides arcticus. Nova Scotia, 26923.

2. Picoides americanus. New Brunswick, 39143.