230 • WOODPECKERS. 



than the Downy's, and when one is familiar with both there is no diffi- 

 culty in distinguishing the two by their voices. 



In sj^eaking' of the difference which exists between the rolling tattoo 

 of some Woodpeckers Mr. Brewster says: "Thus, P. puhescens has a 

 long, unbroken roll, P. villosus a shorter and louder one with a greater 

 interval between each stroke ; while >S'. varius, commencing with a short 

 roll, ends very emphatically with five or six distinct disconnected taps. 

 In this latter species I am convinced it is literally a call of recognition, 

 as I have repeatedly seen the bird, after producing it, listen a moment 

 when it would be answered from a distance, and its mate would shortly 

 appear and join it " (Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist., xi, 1875, p. 144). 



393b. D. V. audubonii (Sivains.). Southern Hairy Woodpecker. 

 — Si iiilar to the preceding, but smaller, and with somewhat less white in the 

 plumage. L., 8-10 ; W., 4-50 ; T., 2-80 ; B., 1-15. 



Range. — South Atlantic and Gulf States north to South Carolina. 



This is simply a small southern race of the preceding species. It 

 resembles the northern form in habits, but is much more common, be- 

 ing nearly as numerous as the Downy Woodpecker. 



In the northwestern United States and adjoining British provinces 

 the Hairy Woodpecker reaches its maximum size, and is known as the 

 Northern Hairy Woodpecker {D. v. leucomelas), a form which may 

 occur within our limits. 



394. Dryobates pubescens {Linn.). Downy Woodpecker. Ad. 



^. — Upper parts black, a scarlet band on the nape; middle of the back 

 white; wing-feathers and their coverts spotted with white; middle tail- 

 feathers black, the outer ones white, hawed with black, ; a white stripe above 

 and another below the eye ; under parts white. Ad. 9 . — Similar, but with- 

 out scarlet on the nape. L., 6-83 ; W., 3-70 ; T., 2-53 ; B., -68. 



Remarks. — The Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers differ in coloration only 

 in the markings of the outer tail-feathers, wliich are white, barred with black 

 in the former, and white without bars in the latter; the difference in size be- 

 tween the two, however, is always diagnostic. 



Range. — Eastern North America, from Labrador to Florida; resident 

 throughout its range. 



Washington, common P. E. Sing Sing, common P. P. Cambridge, com- 

 mon P. E. 



Xest., generally in a dead tree. Eggs., four to six, -75 x -GO. 



Woodland, orchards, and the shade trees of lawns are alike fre- 

 quented by this, the smallest and most familiar of our Woodpeckers. 

 Sometimes he tells of his presence by an industrious tap, tap — tapping 

 as he patiently digs out the grubs and larvre which form his bill of 

 fare. Again he hails us with a businesslike peeh, peek — a note closely 

 resembling the sound produced by a marble quarrier's chisel, and which 



