RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. 
406. Melanerpes crythrocephalus. 9%4 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 offset 
this, they also eat insects and grubs and a great deal 
of fruit. 
Note.—A loud, whining “charr,” “charr,’ 
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). 
Range.—United States east of the Rockies, breeding 
from the Gulf to New York and Minnesota. Winters 
in southern United States. 
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