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220 BULLETIN 133, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM
CHRYSOPTILUS MELANOLAIMUS PERPLEXUS Cory
Chrysoptilns inelanolaemus perplexus Cory, Cat. Birds Americas, pt. 2,
no. 2, December 31, 1919, p. 442. (Conchitas, Buenos Aires.)
An adult male of this recently recognized form was secured at
the Estancia Los Yngleses, near Lavalle, Buenos Aires, on November
9, 1920. Study of a small series of specimens from northern Buenos
xlires shows that the subspecies rather doubtfully characterized as
ferplexus by the late Mr. Cory may be distinguished from birds
from Mendoza, taken as representing true melanolaimus^ by shorter
bill, somewhat smaller black markings on the ventral surface with
the abdomen more nearly immaculate, and more extensive light
markings on the inner Aveb of the second rectrix. The culmen in
two males of melanolaimus measures 33.7-37.2 mm. ; in two females,
37.1-37.5 mm. In three males of perplexus the culmen ranges from
30.7-31, in four females from 29.5-30 mm. The black area posterior
to the malar stripe is slightly more restricted than in the Mendozan
birds. The wing is slightly shorter in perplexus, but the distinction
here seems rather slight. In the bird from Lavalle the wing measures
141.5 mm., but I note that the primaries are somewhat worn.
These birds were found in fair numbers in the grove at the
Estancia Los Yngleses on November 9. One was observed on November
13.
When comparing woodpeckers of this species it must be borne
in mind that the bird is much brighter colored and has the light
markings much more yellow or orange, as the case may be, when
in fall or winter plumage than later in the year. The bright colors,
through wear and fading, become paler and less intense, so that
summer and winter specimens are frequently very different in ap-
pearance.
CHRYSOPTILUS MELANOLAIMUS NIGROVIRIDIS C. H. B. Grant
GhrysopUlus nigroviridis C. II. B. Gbant, Ibis, 1911, p. 321. (Fortiu
Nueve,°* Rio Pilcomayo, Paraguay, lat. 24° 53' S., long 58° 30' W.)
The skin of a male secured at Las Palmas, Chaco, on July 16,
1920, is taken as representative of the present bird. A second male
preserved as a skeleton was secured on July 31. Grant in his
original description considered Chrysoptilus nigroviridis as a distinct
species, somewhat intermediate between C. melanolai'mus and
C. melanoclilorus. He described it as " rather larger " than me-
lanolaimus^ but with the black behind the malar stripe more re-
stricted, the rump golden yellow, the ear coverts washed with
golden buff and somewhat more greenish below. The single skin
that I have from Las Palmas fits his description both in color
»i From Kerr. Ibis, 1892, pp. 122, 135.