192 



North American Birds Eggs. 



399. White-headed Woodpecker. Xcmijiinis ttlhohirvatus. 



Range. — Western T'nited States from southern California to southern British 

 Columbia. 



This odd species is wholly a dull lilack color, except fi)r 

 the white head and neck, and basal half of the primaries. 

 They are quite abundant in some localities, particularly in 

 California on mountain rantjes. They nest at any height, 

 but the greater number have been found under twenty feet 

 from the ground and in okl pine stubs. They lay from 

 four to six glossy white eggs, measuring .95 x .70. They 

 are said to be more silent than others of the Woodpecker 

 family, and rarely make the familiar tapping and never 

 drum. It is claimeci that they get at their food by scaling 

 l)ark off the trees, instead of bv boring. 



White. I 



400. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. Piroides arrficus. 



Range. — Northern parts of the United States north to the 

 Arctic regions. 



As implied bj' their name, members of this genus have 

 but three toes, two in front and one behind. The plumage 

 of this species is entirely black above, and whitish below, 

 with the Hanks barred "with blackish. The male has a 

 yellow patch on the crown. They breed al>undantly in 

 coniferous forests in mountainous regions throughout their 

 range, laying their eggs in cavities in decayed stumps and 

 trees, apparently at any height, from five feet up. The eggs 

 are laid in May or .June. Size .95 x .70. 



401. American Three-toed Woodpecker. Piroides amrrirnnus. 



Range. — From northern United States northward. 



The chief difference between this species and the last is in the white on the 

 back, either as a patch or in the form of broken bars. The nesting habits are 

 just the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding. 

 Both forms are found breeding in the same localities in the Adirondacks and in 

 nearly all other portions of their range. 



[White 



40 1a. Alaskan Three-toed Woodpecker. Pimidrs (inirrirditKs fasriatas. 



Range. — Alaska, south to British Columbia and Washington. 



Like the last, but with more white on the back. Eggs like the a/r//r;/.s. 



401b. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker. Piroides (imerirauiis dorscdis. 



Range. — Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico. 



Slightly larger than the preceding and with more white on the back, almost 

 entirely losing the barred effect of the American Three-toed variety. They nest 

 chiefly in dead pines, laying four or five white eggs that cannot be distinguished 

 from those of many other species. Size .95 x .70. 



