PICID^ — THE WOODPECKERS. 509 



larger Sapsucker (P. villosus) of the Atlantic States, that, were there not 

 constant and unchangeable differences in plumage, it would be taken for 

 the same species. He furnishes no description of the eggs, but it is quite 

 probable that there is no appreciable difference between them and those of 

 the Ficus villosus. 



Dr. Coues mentions this species as one of the most common and characteristic 

 birds in the vicinity of Fort Whipple. Dr. Heermann speaks of its having clear 

 trumpet-like notes that betray its locality and render it an ea^y bird to shoot. 



In California Dr. Cooper found this chiefly a northern bird, frequenting 

 the forests of all kinds up to the summits of tlie Sierra Nevada, and also 

 resident as far south as Santa Barbara, descending, in winter, to the eastern 

 branches of the Colorado and to Tejon Pass. He found it more common 

 in the higher Coast Eange near Santa Cruz, and still more so toward the 

 Columbia Eiver. Its cry, he adds, is louder than that of most of the small 

 Woodpeckers, and it is rather shy, especially when it imagines itself pur- 

 sued. It feeds at times on fruits and berries, and sometimes it visits gardens. 

 It is known as one of the " Sapsuckers," but does more good than liarm in 

 the orchard, destroying both insects and their larvae. 



Mr. John K. Lord states that this Woodpecker is by far the most abundant 

 species in the district through which his party passed. He found it on Van- 

 couver's Island, and along the entire course of the boundary-line, south through 

 Oregon and California, and north to Fort Simpson. A few remained at Colville 

 during the winter, but the greater number retired to the coast and returned in 

 April and May. In the latter month they mate, and bore out a hole in a dead 

 tree. They use no lining for the nest, but lay the eggs on the bare wood. Their 

 favorite haunts are the stumps of trees growing round swamps or prairie-land. 



This Woodpecker was met with by Mr. Eidgway in all w^ooded portions 

 of the Great Basin, but was most abundant among the pines on the moun- 

 tains. In all respects, it is a perfect counterpart of the F. villos^is of the 

 east. 



Picus pubescens, Linn. 



DOWNY WOODPECKER; LESSER SAPSUCKER. 



Picus pubescens, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 15. — Vieillot, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 65, pi. 

 cxxi. — Wilson, Am. Oni. I, 1808, 153, pi. ix. — Wagler, Syst. Avium, 1827, No. 

 23. — AuD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 81 ; V, 539, pi. cxii. — Ib. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 249, 

 pi. cclxiii. — Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 89. — Sundevall, Mon. Pic. 17. — Male. 

 Mon. Pic. I, 119, pi. xxix. — Cassin, Pr. 1863, 20. — Scl. Cat. 1862, 334. — Gray, 

 Cat. 1868, 44. — Dall & Bannister, Tr. Chicago Ac. I, 1869, 274 (Alaska). — FixscH, 

 Abh. Nat. Ill, 1872, 60 (Alaska). — Samuels, 89. —Allen, B. E. Fla. 304. Ficus 

 (Dendrocopus) pubescens, Sw. F. B. A. II, 1831, 307. Picv^ {Trichopicus) pubescens, 

 Bonap. Cousp. Zyg. Ateneo Italiano, 1854, 8. ? Picus medianus, Sw. F. B. A. II, 1831, 

 308. Picus meridionalis, Sw. F. B. A. II, 1831, 308 (small southern race). Picus 

 leconti, Jones, Ann. N. Y. Lye. IV, 1848, 489, pi. xviii (Georgia ; three-toed speci- 

 men, first toe wanting. Type of Tridactylia, Bp.) Dryobates pubescens, Cab. & Hein. 

 Mus. Hein. 1863, 63. 



