320 LAXD-BIUDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



more than other species (unless the next). They lead an 

 active life, and, like others of their tribe, are restless. They 

 partly examine the trunk perhaps of a fine hemlock more than 

 a hundred feet high, and then, as if dissatisfied, fl}^ down to 

 hop about a fallen log. They may occasionall}'^ vary this life 

 by fly-catching, and in autumn undoubtedly feed on berries, in 

 spite of the inexhaustible insect-wealth of the forests in which 

 they live. The}' fly in undulations, but rather rapidly, often 

 screaming as they do so. 



(d). Their loud, shrill notes cannot easily be described. 

 Audubon considered them " like those of some small quadru- 

 ped suffering great pain ;" but I have never heard the " shrill, 

 harsh, rattling cry " which Dr. Cooper ascribes to this species. 

 Authors must, however, necessaril}' differ in their descriptions 

 of what it is nearly impossible to describe satisfactoril}'. 



(B) AMERiCANUs. Banded Three-toed Woodpecker. 



(Much rarer in New England than the last species.) 



(a). Essentially like the Black-backed AYoodpecker (A), 

 but with the back banded by white. 



(&). "The nest and eggs do not differ from those of P. Arc- 

 ticus." 



(c). The Banded Three-toed Woodpeckers have an Arctic 

 (or circumpolar) distribution, and in New England are rarer 

 than even the Black-backed Woodpeckers. They have, not 

 been captured in Massachusetts, except in a few isolated in- 

 stances, of which I find onl}' one recorded. They probably 

 breed in northern New England to a limited extent, since 

 "Mr. Brewster took two adult males at Gorham, July 30th, 

 1870, and one at Umbagog the first weelc in June, 1871." Mr. 

 Maynard says: "I took a single specimen at Errol, October 

 31st, 1869. This species has a harsh, discordant note." Au- 

 dubon never saw these woodpeckers, and drew his figures from 

 specimens lent him by the Council of the Zoological Society 

 of London. I have scarcely been more fortunate, having seen 

 but one. This was on the roadside, not far from the Glen 

 House in the White Mountains, and in August. During the 



