riClU.E — THE WouUrJiCKERS. 



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Habits. This species has a well-defined and extended distril)uti()n, from 

 the Pacific to the Atlantic, and from the northern portions of the United 

 States to the extreme Arctic regions. In tlie United States it has been found 

 as far south as ^Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio, but rarely ; and, so far as 

 I am aware, it is a winter visitant only to any but tlie extreme northern por- 

 tions of the Union, except along the line of the liocky Mountains and the 

 Sierra ISTevada. Audubon says it occurs in Northern Massachusetts, and in 

 all portions of Maine that are covered by forests of taU trees, whei'u it con- 

 stantly resides. He saw a few in tlie Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, 

 and I>r. P>acliman noticed several in tlie nei.iihborhodd of Niagara Falls, 

 and was of the opinion that it breeds in the northern part of New York. 

 The same writer describes the nesting-place of the Arctic Woodpecker as 

 generally bored in the liody of a sound tree, near its first large branches. 

 He observed no particular choice as to the timber, having seen it in oaks, 

 pines, etc. The nest, like that of most of this family, is worked out by both 

 sexes, and requires fully a week for its completion. Its usual depth is 

 from twenty to twenty-four inches. It is smooth and broad at the bottom, 

 although so narrow at its entrance as to appear scarcely sufficient to enable 

 one of the birds to enter it. The eggs are from four to six, rather rounded 

 and pure white. Only one brood is raised in the season. The young follow 

 their parents until the autumn. In the southern districts where these 

 "Woodpeckers are found, their numbers are greatly increased in the winter 

 by accessions from the North. 



Dr. Cooper fijund this species quite numerous, in September, in the vicinity 

 of Lake Tahoe and the summits of the Sierra Nevada, above an altitude of 

 six thousand feet. From thence this bird has a northern range chiefly on 

 the east side of these mountains and of the Cascade Eange. None were 

 seen near the Lower Columbia. At the lake they were cpiite fearless, com- 

 ing close to the hotel, and industriously rapping the trees in the evening and 

 in the early morning. Farther north Dr. Cooper found them very wild, 

 owing probably to their having been huntetl by the Indians for their skins, 

 which they consider very valuable. He noticed their burrows in low pine- 

 trees near the lake, where he had no doubt they also raise their young. Dr. 

 Cooper has always found them very silent birds, though in the spring they 

 probably have more variety of calls. The only note he heard was a shrill, 

 harsh, rattling cry, quite distinct from tliat of any other Woodpecker. 



The flight of this Woodpecker is described as rapid, gliding, and gTeatly 

 undulated. Occasionally it will fly to quite a distance before it alights, 

 uttering, from time to time, a loud shrill note. 



Professor Verrill says this bird is very common in Western Maine, in 

 tlie spring, fall, and winter, or from the middle of October to the middle or 

 end of March. It is not known to occur there in the summer. Near Calais 

 a few are seen, and it is supposed to breed, but is not common. In ]\fassa- 

 chusetts it is only a rare and accidental visitant, occurring usually late in 



