^HE NORTHWEST SAFSUCKER. 435 



No. 173. 



NORTHWEST SAPSUCKER. 



A. O. L'. Xo. 403 a. Sphyrapiciis ruber notkensis Suckow. 



Synonyms. — Xortherx Red - hkkastkd Sapsucker. Crimson - headed 

 Woodpecker. 



Description. — Like preceding but darker, red a deep crimson or maroon 

 purple. Original markings of 5. 7'arius niicliatis still further effaced. Av. meas- 

 urements of two adults from Glacier : Length, <>04 1 .252.5 ) ; wing 5.24 ( i ^3.1 ) ; 

 tail 3.40 (86.4); bill 1.03 (26.2). 



Recognition Marks. — Chewink size; dark crimson of head, neck, and breast 

 distinctive. 



Nesting. — Xcst: An unlined ca\-ity e.xcavated in dead hr or living deciduous 

 tree, usually at considerable height. Eggs: 5-7, white. Av. size, .92 x .69 (23.4 x 

 17.5). Season: May or June; one brood. 



General Range. — Breeding in Xorthwest coast district of North America 

 from CJregon td v^itka, Alaska; south in winter to southern California. 



Range in Washington. — Summer resident west of the Cascades; also par- 

 tially re>iik"nt in winter. 



Authorities. — S/^livra/'iciis ruber Baird, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 

 1858, pii. 104, 105. C&S. Rh. Ra. B. E. 

 Specimens. — 1'. Prov. B. E. 



VICTOR SAVINGS, of Blaine, ])i)inle(l nut a hole fifty feet up in a big 

 fir stub as the Sapsucker's nest. Soon the female flew to the entrance; where- 

 upon the male liird emerged, gorgeous in crimson panoply, and flew awav, the 

 female taking his place on the eggs. After a bit \'ictor pounded on the tree 

 to raise a possible Harris further up, for the tree above is riddled with nesting 

 holes. The female Sapsucker promptly thrust out her head and studied the 

 situation for fi\-e minutes or so. after which she dropped back cnntent. The 

 only notable thing about the nest externally was a round smooth patch, the size 

 of a dollar, upon the tree about four inches below the nest, worn and polished 

 by the tail-feathers of the alighting birds. Judged by this mark of identifica- 

 tion, only one of the unused holes above belongerl to the Sapsucker; the 

 remainder to the Llarris W^iodpecker. 



The stub commands a \-iew of the Savings's orchard, where. \'ictor savs, 

 the Sapsuckers do immense damage, especially to the pear trees. This nesting 

 tree was sixteen feet around at tlie base, al)o\"e the root bulge, and perfectly 

 desolate of limbs. Fortunately, also, it had long since disposed of its shaggy 

 coat of bark, — fortunately. I say, for when a fir stub sheds its fir coat it does 

 so suddenly, and great is the fall thereof. 



It was a far cry up that barren shaft with one knew not what jiossiliilities of 



