141 



growths and wood stains in the manufactured lumber, marking the old, 

 healed attacks of the Sapsucker, reduce the marketable value of the lumber 

 products. The whole question of the damage done by Sapsuckers has been 

 exhaustively discussed in a United States Biological Survey Bulletin, No. 

 39, "Woodpeckers in relation to trees and wood products," by W. L. 

 McAtee. Under the heading of defensive measures against Sapsuckers 

 the author advises a limited use of the gun where the species is doing 

 appreciable harm, or the use of poison. If the gun is used care should be 

 taken that only Sapsuckers are killed and it must be remembered that 

 with poison, Hummingbirds and other small birds, especially warblers, 

 are likely to suffer also. 



405. Pileated Woodpecker, cock-of-the-wood. fk. — le pic a huppe ^cahlate. 

 Phloeotomus pileatus. L, 17. Plate XIX B. 



Distinctions. The size of this woodpecker makes identification easy. It can be 

 confused with no other Canadian Woodpecker. 



Field Marks. Large size, striking, red crest, and the white on the outspread wings. 



Distribution. Once ranging over aU of eastern Canada it is now practically con- 

 fined to the wilder parts and the wilderness of the north. 



SUBSPECIES. The Pileated Woodpecker is divided into two subspecies, of which 

 only the Northern Pileated P. p. abieticola occurs in Canada. 



On account of the wanton destruction of this beautiful bird which 

 was once of wide distribution, it is now to be found only in the quiet of the 

 north woods. The colloquial name "Cock-of-the-woods" has been locally 

 corrupted into "Woodcock", and its use for this species is a source of 

 confusion and misunderstanding. The Pileated Woodpecker is not a 

 legitimate object of sport; it will not "lie to a dog", cannot be hunted 

 by sportsman-like methods, and is too small for use as food, but has great 

 value as a forest preserver. It should, therefore, be rigidly protected 

 for economic as well as sentimental reasons. 



Economic Status. The Pileated Woodpecker is now restricted to the 

 wildest sections. It is mainly beneficial in the protection of forest trees 

 and, therefore, its greatest value is to the lumberman. Its food is much 

 the same as that of the other woodpeckers, but its superior strength enables 

 it to dig deeply and exhume larvae and insects that are safe from a less 

 powerful bird. 



406. Red-headed Woodpecker, fr. — le pic a t^te rouge. Melanerpes erythro- 

 cephalus. L, 9-75. Plate XX A. 



Distinctions. The bright red head and contrasting broad masses of black and white 

 body-plumage are easily recognized. 



Field Marks. The striking coloration of this species makes it easily recognizable. 



Nesting. Generally in holes in dead stubs and occasionally in telegraph and other 

 such poles. 



Distribution. A bird of rather southern distribution, only regularly and commonly 

 entering Canada on the southern border along the lower Great Lakes. 



The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of the familiar species about 

 orchards and wood lots. It is, therefore, well known wherever it 

 occurs. The Red-headed has rather less of woodpecker habits than 

 the forms hitherto considered, or it has evolved other flycatcher-like 

 traits in addition to its ancestral ones. 



Economic Status. The Red-headed eats fewer larvse and grubs than 

 other species, and more useful, predaceous ground-beetles. However, 

 57172—10* 



