WOODPECKERS 279 



Somerset; common summer resident, (Morrell). Waldo; rare, (Spratt) ; 

 locally common summer resident, (Knight). Washington; common summer 

 resident, (Boardman). 



In migration I have known of their arriving as early as 

 March 8 but usually not until the last of the month or the first 

 of April, while in the fall nearly all have gone by the last of 

 October though occasionally one will be found up to November 

 15. In migrating the species may be called quite common 

 and of general occurrence. As a summer resident it should 

 occur locally in every county in the State, and has been so 

 reported from the larger portion of the State. 



In the nesting season they prefer mixed or hardwood growth 

 along a river, pond, stream or lake, or more preferably in a 

 swampy tract of land which is subject to spring overflow and 

 near the shore of a pond or river. 



Along the coast I have found them nesting near the shores 

 of our outer wooded islands in dead spruce stubs, while inland 

 they nest in almost any suitable dead stub in the places they 

 frequent, seemingly preferring dead ash stubs which have not 

 yet really begun to decay. They nest rather early and often 

 in the swampy tracts near ponds the water still covers the 

 ground about their nesting stub. The cavity is excavated by 

 both birds, and both do their part in the work of incubation. 



Full sets of eggs are found from May 15 to June 8, and 

 usually three to six, perhaps oftener five eggs are laid. These 

 are glossy white. Four eggs were found in a nest in a spruce 

 stub, twelve feet from the ground at Orono, May 31, 189S. 

 These eggs measure 0.88 x 0.68, 0.91 x 0.67, 0.87 x 0.64, 0.90 

 X 0.68. Only one brood is reared in a season but if the eggs 

 are taken the birds will lay again and again until their 

 persistence is rewarded. 



The nest can often be located by noting the sawdust and chips 

 under the tree, which they usually let fall directly from the hole 

 instead of carrying it away like many other species do. Their 

 call sounds like the word " hwaee " uttered frequently in a 

 shrill tone. In the spring they utter a peculiar " whoi, whoi " 



