WOODPECKERS 



403. Red-breasted Sapsucker. 

 Sphyrapicus ruber ruber. 



Range. — Pacific Coast from Lower Califor- 

 nia to Oregon. 



Except for a whitish line from the eye to 

 the bill, the entire head, neck and breast of 

 this species is red, of varying shades in differ- 

 ent individuals, from carmine to nearly a scar- 

 let; the remainder of their plumage is very 

 similar to that of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. 

 This is an abundant species and in most parts 

 of the range they are not timid. Like many of 

 the Woodpeckers, they spend a great deal of 

 their time in drumming on some dead limb. 

 They nest commonly in aspens, preferably liv- 

 ing ones, and are said to build a new nesting 

 hole each year rather than use the old. The 

 eggs are laid during May or June, being glossy 

 white, five to seven in number, and measuring 

 .90x.70. 



Pileated Woodpecker 



403a. Northern Red-breasted Sapsucker. 

 Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis. 



Range. — Pacific coast from California to Alaska. 



404. Williamson's Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus thyroideus. 



This is a deeper and brighter variety, and is more yellowish on the belly. Its 

 nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the southern form. 



Range. — Mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Pacific; north to British 

 Columbia. 



This oddly marked species shows a surprising number of variations in plum 

 age; the normal adult male is largely black on the upper parts and breast, 

 with only a narrow patch of red on the throat, and with the belly, bright yellow. 

 The female is entirely different in plumage and for a long time was supposed to 

 be a distinct species; she is brownish in place of the black in the male, lias no 

 red in the plumage, and is barred with black and white on the back ami wings. 

 They nest at high altitudes in mountain ranges, either in coniferous forests or 

 in aspens. There is no peculiarity in their nesting habits; they lay from tour 

 to seven eggs, glossy white. Size .97 x .67. 



405. Pileated Woodpecker. Phlceotomus pileatus pUeatus. 



Range— Southern and South Atlantic States. 



This hravilv built Woodpecker is nearly as large as the Ivory-hill, being IT 

 Inches in length. They are not nearly as beautiful as the [yorj hills, thrir 

 plumage being a sooty black instead of glossy, and the white on the wing, 

 being c Lned to a very small patch at the base of the primaries; the whole 



crown and cresl are \ ermillioii. as is also a moustache mark in the male. They 



breed in the most heavily limbered districts, and generally at a high elevation; 

 excavating a cavity sometimes 25 Inches in depth and eighl Inches in diameter. 



!n most localities thej are \er\ shy and difficult to approach. During April or 

 Ma> they lay from three to sis White 6ggS. Si/..' L.80l 1 00 



255 



