218 WOODPECKERS 



your old friend flying with sweeping, powerful strokes straight over 

 the forest. You are in no danger of mistaking him, for his wide 

 wings and short tail distinguish him from all other birds as far as he 

 can be seen. 



He is found high in the mountains mainly after the breeding sea- 

 son, for he nests in the Transition zone orchard and yellow pine 

 country, but like the redhead is an erratic wanderer. At Fort 

 Klamath flocks of two hundred have been reported coming from 

 the north in August, and from Klamath Falls to Susanville Mr. 

 Bailey found them the commonest woodpeckers, perching on the tall 

 stakes of rail fences along the roads, flying up into the air after 

 grasshoppers or other insects in true Melanerpes style. As it is said, 

 the ' acorn bird ' never comes in great numbers unless there is a good 

 crop of mast, for his movements depend on the food supply. In the 

 Black Hills Mr. Gary says the woodpecker is partial to burnt timber 

 in canyons. 



Subgenus Centurus. 



Upper parts barred ; wings with white patch ; outer hind toe shorter 

 than outer front toe. 



409. Melanerpes carolinus {Linn.). Red-bellied Woodpecker. 

 Adult male. — Top and back of head and neck brig-ht red ; rest of upper 



parts barred black and white ; 

 Tinder parts gray except for red- 

 dish xcashon middle of belly. Adult 

 female : similar, but red of head 

 interrupted by gray crown patch. 

 Young : duller, markings ob- 

 scured, red of head indistinct, that 

 of bellv often replaced by dull 

 buffv. ^ Length: 9.0U-10.10. wing 

 4,85-5.50, tail 3.50-3.95, bill 1.00- 

 1.20. 



Distribution. — Breeds in Lower 

 and Upper Sonoran zones of east- 

 Fig- 284. em United States, from Ontario 



to Florida, and west to the base of the Rocky Mountains. 



Nest. — In tree trunks or brandies, 15 to 60 feet from the ground. 

 Eggs : 3 to 5. white. 



Food. — Beetles, ants, weevils, caterpillars, grasshoppers, flies, larva, 

 wasps, and other insects, with acorns, nuts, seeds, grain, and berries. 



In parts of Texas the red -bellied is the most common woodpecker, 

 and often nests in telegraph poles, but over most of its range it is 

 shy and retiring, living preferably in heavily timbered bottom lands 

 and swampy woods. 



410. Melanerpes aurifrons (Wagl). Golden-fronted Wood- 



pecker. 

 Adult males. — Forehead yellow, crown red, and nuchal patch yellow, 



