WOODPECKERS 289 



The species is rare as a summer resident, occurring only very 

 locally as such, while as a migrant it occurs more generally 

 but is likewise rare. The passing stragglers occur in April and 

 May and again in August, September and October. In the 

 mid west this is a very common species and likewise a destructive 

 one in more ways than one. They nest often in telegraph poles 

 along the roadsides, and the excavating of these poles is one 

 source of injury. 



Then again they feed very largely on fruits such as peaches, 

 cherries, apples, plums, pears, figs, grapes and on berries such 

 as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and mulberries, also 

 on green corn, peas and similar garden truck. Of course vari- 

 ous wild fruits, berries, acorns, beechnuts and similar material 

 are relished. They also eat grasshoppers, crickets, seventeen 

 year locusts, and various species of Lepidoptera, sometimes 

 catching the insects on the wing. 



Major Bendire also states that it destroys the eggs of other 

 birds and their young and cites instances coming under his 

 own observation as well as that of others where such destruc- 

 tion of other eggs or young was observed. What few injurious 

 insects are eaten does not seem to compensate for the harm 

 done by this species in the southern and western states. 



In Maine however it will never be the source of any worry 

 or the cause of any considerable damage as its numbers are 

 few ; it is not with us at times and in localities where the occa- 

 sion to commit damage is offered to any extent, and with us my 

 decision would be let it live and let the westerners take care of 

 themselves as far as the present species is concerned. 



The nest is excavated in some dead stub, limb of a tree or 

 telegraph pole and four to ten, usually five or six, pure glossy 

 white eggs are laid on the chips and sawdust at the bottom. 

 Seven eggs were taken from a nest in a telegraph pole about 

 ten feet from the ground, at Coffeyville, Kansas, June 29, 1894. 

 These eggs measure 1.00 x 0.80, 1.02 x 0.82, 0.97 x 0.73, 0.98 

 X 0.73, 0.98 X 0.74, 0.98 0.72, 1.09 x 0.79. 



