Cmnmon Birds on the Farm. 279 



the holes they make seem to be almost entirely for the purpose of dis- 

 lodging and devouring wood-loving larvae. 



The following are perhaps the four best known species in the State : 



DOWNY WOODPECKER {Dnjohates pudescens) . 



Upper plumage black, with (in the male) a red band across the back of head; 

 middle of the back white ; wings spotted with white ; the outer tail feathers barred 

 with white. There is also a white stripe above and one below the eye. Length, about 

 6% inches. 



Range. — Eastern North America from the Gulf to Labrador. 



Nest. — In cavities of trees. 



Eggs. — Four or five, glossy white. 



The Downy, which is the smallest of our woodpeckers, is the com- 

 mon little "Sapsucker" seen in summer, frequenting the woodlands, 

 orchards and shade trees. Often one detects its presence first by hear- 

 ing the busy tap, tap, of his bill as he works industriously at his daily 

 task of collecting grubs and larvae. He is especially attracted by neg- 

 lected orchards where the old trees harbor a vast number of insects and 

 tree vermin. The Downy is fond of the society of other small birds, 

 and after the summer household duties are finished may frequently be 

 seen in company with nuthatches and chickadees. Often these merry 

 parties are joined by flocks of bright-colored warblers during their fall 

 migration, and for days such avian bodies may be seen associated pleas- 

 antly. This bird usually excavates a hole in some dead limb as the cold 

 weather approaches, to be used as a roosting place in winter. 



The relation of the Do\\Tiy Woodpecker to the orchard has been 

 made a subject of careful study by a number of naturalists. One of 

 the interesting observations made is that it pierces great numbers of 

 cocoons of the codling moth, which are usually concealed under flakes of 

 bark and thus escapes the observation of many other birds. It destroys 

 the wood-boring beetles and their larvae in great quantities, and pos- 

 sesses the wonderful faculty of being able to locate with great accuracy 

 the exact spot at which to dig with the least labor to secure its prey. 

 It also eats many bark beetles and weevils and is a large consumer of the 

 round-headed apple borer which infest fruit trees. 



It is a well-known fact that a favorite place for the wooly aphis is 

 at the scars made by pruning. Here they are often found in clusters, 

 and some entomologists are of the opinion that their presence greatly 

 retards, if it does not even prevent, the speedy healing over of these 

 wounds. The Downy greatly enjoys the flavor of the wooly aphis. 



This woodpecker at times has the habit of making large numbers of 

 holes in the bark of apple trees. These are generally not over an inch 

 apart and are arranged in parallel rows around the tree. The holes are 

 round, which distinguish them from the holes made by the real Sap- 



