320 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
more than other species (unless the next). They lead an 
active life, and, like others of their tribe, are restless. They 
partly examine the trunk perhaps of a fine hemlock more than 
a hundred feet high, and then, as if dissatisfied, fly down to 
hop about a fallen log. They may occasionally vary this life 
by fly-catching, and in autumn undoubtedly feed on berries, in 
spite of the inexhaustible insect-wealth of the forests in which 
they live. They fly in undulations, but rather rapidly, often 
screaming as they do so. 
(d). Their loud, shrill notes cannot easily be described. 
Audubon considered them ‘ like those of some small quadru- 
ped suffering great pain ;” but I have never heard the ‘ shrill, 
harsh, rattling cry ” which Dr. Cooper ascribes to this species. 
Authors must, however, necessarily differ in their descriptions 
of what it is nearly impossible to describe satisfactorily. 
(B) americanus. Banded Three-toed Woodpecker. 
(Much rarer in New England than the last species.) 
(a). Essentially like the Black-backed Woodpecker (A), 
but with the back banded by white. 
(b). ‘*The nest and eggs do not differ from those of P. Arc- 
ticus.” 
(c). The Banded Three-toed Woodpeckers have an Arctic 
(or circumpolar) distribution, and in New England are rarer 
than even the Black-backed Woodpeckers. They have not 
been captured in Massachusetts, except in a few isolated in- 
stances, of which I find only one recorded. They probably 
breed in northern New England to a limited extent, since 
‘‘Mr. Brewster took two adult males at Gorham, July 30th, 
1870, and one at Umbagog the first week in June, 1871.” Mr. 
Maynard says: “I took a single specimen at Errol, October 
31st, 1869. This species has a harsh, discordant note.” Au- 
dubon never. saw these woodpeckers, and drew his figures from 
specimens lent him by the Council of the Zoological Society 
of London. I have scarcely been more fortunate, having seen 
but one. This was on the roadside, not far from the Glen 
House in the White Mountains, and in August. During the 
