WOODPECKERS. 231 



sometimes is prolonged into a rattling call. Like other Woodpeckers, 

 in the spring he beats a rolling tattoo on a resonant limb, sounding a 

 reveille which is a credit to so small a drummer. 



The Downy is a sociable Woodpecker, and when the gay summer 

 visitors have returned to their southern homes and the wind whistles 

 drearily through the leafless trees, he joins the Chickadees and Nut- 

 hatches, and during the winter they are inseparable companions. Per- 

 haps they share with him the snug quarters in some old trunk which 

 he has hollowed out for a winter home. 



395. Dryobates borealis ( Vieill.). Eed-cockaded Woodpecker. 



Ad. $ .—Crown black, a small tuft of scarlet feathers on either side of the hack 

 of the head ; back barred with black and white; wings spotted with black 

 and white ; middle tail-feathers black, outer ones with broken black bars ; ear 

 region white, separated from the white throat by a black stripe running from 

 the bill to the shoulder ; sides and under tail-coverts spotted and streaked 

 with black ; rest of the under parts white. Ad. 9 .—Similar, but without 

 scarlet on the head. L., 8-40 ; W., 4-65 ; T., 3-10 ; B., -80. 



Range. — Southern United States, westward to Indian Territory, and north- 

 ward to Tennessee and Virginia. 



Nest., in the higher part of a pine tree. Eggs., four to six, -91 x -68. 



This species is a common inhabitant of the " piny woods." It pre- 

 fers the higher branches of the trees, and frequently hangs head down- 

 ward while feeding on a cone at the extremity of a branch. Its call- 

 note suggests the yank., yank, of the White-bellied Nuthatch, but is 

 louder, hoarser, and not so distinctly enunciated. 



400. Picoides arcticus {Swains.). Arctic Three-toed Wood- 

 pecker. (See Fig. 37, h.) Ad. $. — Toes three, two in front; middle of the 

 crown with a bright orange-yellow patch ; rest of the upper parts shining 

 blnch ; vv^ing- feathers spotted with white; middle tail-feathers black, outer 

 ones white, except at the base ; a white line from the nostril passes below the 

 eye; sides barred with black and white; rest of the under parts white. Ad. 

 9. — Similar, but without orange-yellow on-the crown. L., 9-50 ; W., 5-10; 

 T., 3-40 ; B. from N., -98. 



Range. — Northern North America, south to the northern United States. 



Nest., within ten feet of the ground. Eggs., four to six, 1-05 x -78. 



"It is a restless, active bird, spending its time generally on the 

 topmost branches of the tallest trees, without, however, confining itself 

 to pines. Although it can not be called shy, its habitual restlessness 

 renders it difficult of approach. Its movements resemble those of the 

 Ked-cockaded Woodpecker, but it is still more petulant than that 

 bird. . . . Its cries also somewhat resemble those of the species above 

 mentioned, but are louder and more shrill, like those of some small 

 quadruped suffering great pain. . . . 



" Its flight is rapid, gliding, and deeply undulating. . . . Now and 



