452 WOODPECKERS. 



quently approaching the cottage or the skirts of the town as 

 well as the forest. It is likewise much attached to orchards, 

 an active borer of their trunks, and an eager hunter after in- 

 sects and larvae in all kinds of decayed wood, even to stumps 

 and the rails of the fences. In autumn it also feeds on berries 

 and other fruits. In the month of May, accompanied by his 

 mate, the male seeks out the seclusion of the woods, and 

 taking possession of a hollow branch, or cutting out a cavity 

 anew, he forms his nest in a deep and secure cavern, though 

 sometimes a mere stake of the fence answers the purpose. In 

 the Southern States these birds have usually two broods in the 

 season, and raise them both in the same nest, which is not 

 infrequently at no great distance from habitations. Their call 

 consists in a shrill and rattling whistle, heard to a consid- 

 erable distance. They also give out a single querulous note of 

 recognition while perambulating the trunks for food. 



The habitat of true villosus is now considered as restricted to 

 North Carolina and Eastern Canada. At the Northwest it is repre- 

 sented by D. villosus leucomelas, a larger variety (length lo to ii 

 inches), and at the South by D. villosus audubonii, which meas- 

 ures about 8 inches in length. 



DOWNY WOODPECKER. 



Dryobates pubescens. 



Char. Similar to D. villosus, but smaller. Above, black and white, 

 the back with long, slender, loose hair-like (" downy ") feathers ; beneath, 

 white ; outer tail-feathers barred. Male with scarlet band at back of 

 head, which in the female is black. In immature birds the crown is more 

 or less tinged with red, or, sometimes, with yellow. Length dVz to 7 

 inches. 



Nest. In open woodland, pasture, or orchard ; a cavity in a dead 

 trunk, without lining. 



Eggs. 4-6; white and glossy; 0.80 X 0.60. 



This species, the smallest of American Woodpeckers, agrees 

 almost exactly with the P. villosus in its colors and markings. 

 It is likewise resident throughout the same countries. About 



