190 Birds of Xoktii Cakoi.ixa 



Like the preceding form, the nuile has a red patch on the back of the head, which 

 is aljspnt in the fom:ile, while young hirds in the first phimage liavc considerable 

 red on the top of the head, which, however, disappears with the fall moult. 



The eggs are pure white, like those of all woodpecker^, and are laid in hollows 

 dug b}' the l)ird in the linil)s or trunks of dead trees. Cairns stated that in the 

 mountains it is common up to 2..")00 feet elevation and breeds in April. 



174. Dryobates pubescens pubescens {Linn.). Southern Dowxy Wood- 

 pecker. 



Dvscriiiliim.. — Snuillor tlian tlio H;iirv Wooilpooker, wliich it rocniblos in goncnil appearance, 

 but with the outer tail-feathers white, Ixmed with black. J,., (i.OO; W., 3.50; T., 2.75. 

 Range. — About the same as th;it of tlie Southern Hairy AVoodpeeker. 

 Ha?ige in North Cmotina. — ^\'^lole State, except the liigher mountain.?; resident. 



The .Southern Downy Woodjjecker, which differs onlj- from the I^owny Wood- 

 pecker in slightly smaller size, and less purely white underparts, is quite common 

 in all wooded localities throughout the State, exce])t on the higher mountains, 

 where it is replaced by the ne.\t form. It is often fountl haunting apple orcharils 

 and the trees on lawns. 



Like the Hairy Woodpeckers, it subsists mainly on insects, of which it must con- 

 sume, in the course of a year, a very api)reciable luunber of wood-destroying spe- 

 cies, and consequently should always be protected. In winter it eats many berries. 



Although this is the s])ccies which is most commonly known as "Sapsuckcr" 

 throughout the State, it does not suck or eat sap, nor in fact do any of our wood- 

 peckers, except those of the genus Sphyrapicus. The eggs are usually laid in May. 



175. Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swains.). Downy Woodpecker. 



Descripiion. — Similar to the preceditifi, but averaging .slightly larger, ,'iii<l with the underparts 

 purer white. 



Range. — Eastern North America, mainly' north of North Carolina. 

 Range in NuHli Carolina. — The high('r mountains onh'j resident. 



Fig. 14U. Ddw.sv WooDi'ErKER. 



In superficial ;i]ipearance very similar to the preceding. So far as known, it has 

 been recorded in this State only from Buncombe County. 



176. Dryobates borealis '<'//.). Hiod-cock.vded Woodi'eckkr. 



Description. — Back barred transversely with black and white; sides spotted witli lilack; a 

 large white patch on each side of head, which is very conspicuous and characteristic in life; male 

 with a little red patch on each side of head. L., 8.40; W., 4.G0; T., 3.70. 



