“HE NORTHWEST SAPSUCKER. 435 
No. 173. 
NORTHWEST SAPSUCKER. 
A. O. U. No. 403a. Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis Suckow. 
Synonyms.—NorTHERN RED- BREASTED SAPSUCKER. CRIMSON - HEADED 
WoopPECKER. 
Description.—Like preceding but darker, red a deep crimson or maroon 
purple. Original markings of S. varius nuchalis still further effaced. Av. meas- 
urements of two adults from Glacier: Length, 9.94 (252.5); wing 5.24 (133.1); 
tail 3.40 (86.4) ; bill 1.03 (26.2). 
Recognition Marks.—Chewink size; dark crimson of head, neck, and breast 
distinctive. 
Nesting.—Nest: An unlined cavity excavated in dead fir or living deciduous 
tree, usually at considerable height. Eggs: 5-7, white. Av. size, .g2 x .69 (23.4 x 
17.5). Season: May or June; one brood. 
General Range.—Breeding in Northwest coast district of North America 
from Oregon to Sitka, Alaska; south in winter to southern California. 
Range in Washington.—Summer resident west of the Cascades; also par- 
tially resident in winter. 
Authorities.—S phyrapicus ruber Baird, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 
1858, pp. 104, 105. C&S. Rh. Ra. B. E. 
Specimens.—P. Prov. B. E. 
VICTOR SAVINGS, of Blaine, pointed out a hole fifty feet up in a big 
fir stub as the Sapsucker’s nest. Soon the female flew to the entrance; where- 
upon the male bird emerged, gorgeous in crimson panoply, and flew away, the 
female taking his place on the eggs. After a bit Victor pounded on the tree 
to raise a possible Harris further up, for the tree above is riddled with nesting 
holes. The female Sapsucker promptly thrust out her head and studied the 
situation for five minutes or so, after which she dropped back content. The 
only notable thing about the nest externally was a round smooth patch, the size 
of a dollar, upon the tree about four inches below the nest, worn and polished 
by the tail-feathers of the alighting birds. Judged by this mark of identifica- 
tion, only one of the unused holes above belonged to the Sapsucker; the 
remainder to the Harris Woodpecker. 
The stub commands a view of the Savings’s orchard, where. Victor says, 
the Sapsuckers do immense damage, especially to the pear trees. This nesting 
tree was sixteen feet around at the base, above the root bulge, and perfectly 
desolate of limbs. Fortunately, also, it had long since disposed of its shaggy 
coat of bark,—fortunately, I say, for when a fir stub sheds its fir coat it does 
so suddenly, and great is the fall thereof. 
It was a far cry up that barren shaft with one knew not what possibilities of 
