BED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 



406. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. 9% inches. 



Adults with entire head and breast red; young with 

 a gray head and back, streaked with darker. 



This very handsome species is common and very 

 well known in the Middle and Central States. They 

 are the ruffians of the family, very noisy and quarrel- 

 some. One of their worst traits is the devouring of 

 the eggs and young of other birds. To partially olfset 

 this, they also eat insects and grubs and a great deal 

 of fruit. 



Note. — A loud, whining "charr," "charr," besides 

 numerous other calls and imitations. 



Nest. — Holes in trees in woods, orchards or along 

 roadsides and also in fence posts or telegraph poles. 

 In May and June they lay four to six glossy, white 

 eggs (1.00 X .75). 



Rang'e. — United States east of the Rockies, breeding 

 from the Gulf to New York and Minnesota. Winters 

 in southern United States. 



