THE FOOD HABITS OF NEBRASKA BIRDS. 233 



THE WOODPECKERS. 



Probably no other group of birds are of greater importance 

 to the horticulturist than the various species of woodpeckers, — 

 for it is to them that the important task of seeking out and de- 

 stroying the wood boring larvae from their hiding places be- 

 neath the bark and in the wood is delegated, and to this labor 

 they devote almost undivided attention. Modeled by nature for 

 this very work, with their chisel-like bill, long, extensile barbed 

 tongue, yoke-toed and strong clawed feet and stiffened tail, 

 they are capable of great things in this direction. Hence it is 

 proper that we should know how well they utilize their talents. 



We have in Nebraska a dozen different kinds of woodpeckers. 

 Of these one is practically extinct, another very rare and three 

 are confined to extreme north-west Nebraska; of these five we 

 shall take no account. The Downy, Hairy, Red-headed and 

 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and 

 our two Flickers are for the most part common, generally dis- 

 tributed, and of considerable economic importance. As they 

 vary greatly among themselves in economic value they are 

 treated separately. 



Of these seven the smallest, commonest and most beneficial is 

 the familiar Downy Woodpecker ( Dryobates loubescens medianus). 

 This little chap is easily recognized by its plain black and white 

 plumage, the colors being arranged as shown in the illustration 

 of the next species. It is commonest about our homes and in 

 our orchards, and seems really partial to such spots rather 

 than the woods, and remains with us the year around. Insects 

 constitute seventy-four per cent of its food. Beetles (twenty- 

 four per cent) come first in importance and are mostly wood- 

 boring larvae, the other forms being May beetles and a few 

 predaceous Carabidae. Ants (twenty-three per cent) come next, 

 and are apparently greatly relished. Caterpillars (sixteen per 

 cent) are extensively eaten. Bugs and plant lice (four per cent) 

 Grasshoppers and their eggs (three per cent), spiders (three 

 per cent) and flies (one per cent) constitute the remainder of 

 the animal food. Mineral matter amounts to one percent. 

 The vegetable matter (twenty-five per cent) is mostly fruit, in- 

 cluding dogwood berries, Virginia creeper berries, June ber- 

 ries and pokeberries, along with a little strawberries and apples. 



