49. 
431. 
PICIDA’: WOODPECKERS. 479 
Species are abundant in all the wooded portion of this country, and wherever found are 
nearly resident. For, although insectivorous, they feed principally upon dormant or at least 
stationary insects, and therefore need not migrate ; they are, moreover, hardy birds. They dig 
insects and their larve out of trees, and are eminently beneficial to the agriculturist and fruit- 
grower. Contrary to a prevalent impression, their bormg does not seem to injure fruit-trees, 
which may be riddled with holes without harmful result. The number of noxious insects these 
birds destroy is simply incalculable ; what little fruit some of them steal is not to be mentioned 
in the same connection, and they deserve the good-will of all. The birds of the genus Sphy- 
ropicus are probably an exception to most of these statements. But Woodpeckers also feed 
largely upon nuts, berries, and other fruits; and those which thus vary their fare to the greatest 
extent are apt to be more or less migratory, like the common Red-head for example. _Wood- 
peckers nest in holes in trees, which they excavate for themselves, sometimes to a great depth, 
aud lay numerous rounded pure white eggs, of which the shell has a smooth crystalline texture 
like porcelain, on the chips and dust at the bottom of the hole. The voice is loud and harsh, 
susceptible of little modulation. The plumage as arule presents bright colors in large areas or 
in striking contrasts, and is sometimes highly lustrous. The sexes are ordinarily distinguishable 
by color-markings ; the young either show sexual characters from the nest, or have special 
markings of their own. 
Artificial Analysis of N. A. Genera of Picide. 
EOCSS fi. RE MAWRTO Mt. CNET ee we TO TOMES AEs EMER fo) << suite ss). MIs, tive a Jeera tei Ueine. sf Ee COI OB DG 
Toes 4. 
Tongue not decidedly extensible. 
Body entirely black; head white. vss) i's ceeest eat a setctl a boule sy) 2) ileus Menopicusim 1b2 
Body variegated’; head'not white . 40. 5 2. 2 1. 8 6 ee et we st st Uo) Sphyropicus: 154 
Tongue very extensible. 
Conspicuously crested; much over a foot long. 
Bill white; outer hind toe longer than outer front toe. . . . . . . . . . Campephilus 149 
Bill dark; outer hind toe not longer than outer front toe. . . . . . . . =. . Aylotomus 150 
Not crested; a foot long or less. 
Sides of upper mandible distinctly ridged; wings spotted. . ... ..... . .Picus 151 
Sides of upper mandible indistinctly or not ridged. 
Back lustrous green; belly carmine . . 2... 0.5. « . 2... ©. . Asyndesmus 157 
Back blue-black; belly white; «2 «6 «1. ew ete ws a ws a s = fn « i Melanenpes 166 
Back black-barred; belly black-spotted. . ....... ped og eles COLGptES alps 
Back black-barred; belly metspotted . .....: .-:-.:2 =... =. . « Centurus 155 
CAMPE'PHILUS. (Gr. kdyrn, kampe, a caterpillar; pidtos, philos, loving.) Ivory-BILLs. 
Of largest size, with very strict neck, conspicuously crested head and white bill; color black, 
with white on wings and neck, and scarlet crest. Bill longer than head, perfectly straight, 
with truncate tip, bevelled sides, with strong ridges; broader than high at the base. Gonys 
very long; more than half the commissure. Nostrils concealed by large nasal tufts ; antrorse 
feathers also at base of lower mandible. Outer hind toe much the longest. Wings pointed ; 
4th, 3d and 5th quills longest ; 2d much shorter; 1st very short and narrow. Tail very cuneate. 
Containing the largest and most magnificent known Woodpeckers, of several species, peculiar 
to America. | 
C. principa/lis. (Lat. principalis, principal; princeps, chief. Fig. 329.) Ivory-BILLED 
WoopPecKkEer. ¢@ : Glossy blue-black ; a stripe down side of neck, one at base of bill, the 
scapulars, under wing-coverts, ends of secondaries and of inner primaries, the bill, and nasal 
feathers white ; feet grayish-blue; iris yellow. A long pointed crest, inthe ¢ scarlet faced with 
black, in the 9 black. Length 19.00-21.00; extent 30.00-33.00 ; wing 9.75-10.75 ; tail 7.00- 
8.00; bill 2.50; tarsus 2.00. Varies much in size; 9 smaller than the ¢. A large powerful 
bird of the S. Atlantic and Gulf States, N. to No. Carolina along the coast, to the Ohio River in 
the interior; common in the dark heavily wooded swamps, but very wild and wary, and difficult 
to secure. Nests high in the most inaccessible trees ; eggs about 6, 1.35 & 1.00. 
