130 BIRDS OF FIELD, FOREST AND PARK 



They are permanent residents throughout their 

 range which extends from Florida to Labrador. 



Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. This bird 

 has a more northern range than the preced- 

 ing species, being rarely seen in the United 

 States, except in the extreme northeastern por- 

 tion. In winter they range somewhat farther 

 south, but are not then common birds. Since 

 they feed almost exclusively on the grubs which 

 work in decaying wood in the dead stubs, where 

 severe forest fires have raged, or the water in a 

 lake has been permanently raised, these birds 

 will be found nesting. 



They are in size similar to the Hairy, but they 

 have only three toes, two in front, one behind. 

 The general color of the upper parts is shiny 

 black. There is a bright orange patch on the 

 crown of the male only, and the wings are 

 spotted and barred with white. The under parts 

 are white and there is a white line below the eye. 

 They are restless, active birds, rather shy ex- 

 cept while nesting. Their flight is rapid and 

 somewhat undulating, and their cry is a loud 

 shrill ^'we-e-a, we-e-a,^^ heard as they approach 

 and leave the nest. I found these birds nesting 

 in June near White Cap Mountain, and also in 

 the West Branch region in northern Maine. 



American Three-toed Woodpecker. This is 

 another Northern resident, found in summer 

 only in the forest sections of our states which 

 border upon Canada, and northward to Lab- 

 rador. In the winter season they^ make short 

 southern movements to more civilized sections 

 where, occasionally, they may be seen about 



