140 
A bird of the northern coniferous forest, seldom coming under the 
notice of the ordinary observer, except towards the verge of present settle- 
ment where it is of regular occurrence. 
Economic Status. This woodpecker is of growing importance for the 
protection of the coniferous forest from introduced and other insect pests 
which have greatly increased in recent years. 
401. American Three-toed Woodpecker. LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER. FR.—LE 
PIC D’AMERIQUE. Picoides americanus. L, 8-75. Almost exactly similar to the Arctic 
Three-toed, but with the middle of the back barred with white. 
Distinctions. The yellow crown of the male is distinctive of the Three-toed Wood- 
peckers. This species can be distinguished from the Arctic by the white-barred instead 
of solid black back. Except the Red-bellied, the only woodpecker in eastern Canada with 
a barred back. 
Field Marks. Yellow crown of male and the black and white barring in the middle 
of the back. 
SUBSPECIES. The form occurring in eastern Canada is the Eastern Three-toed 
Woodpecker, the type race of the species. In the west, other forms occur. 
A much rarer bird than the preceding, but of similar habits, status, 
and distribution, and extending into the western mountains in subspecific 
form. 
402. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. FR.—LE Pic MACUIE. Sphyrapicus varius. L, 
8-56. Plate XIX A. 
Distinctions. The well-defined red cap just covering the top of the head will usually 
distinguish this species. Some females have a black crown, but the general coloration 
is always recognizable even in young birds, although in them it is veiled and indicated 
rather than expressed. 
Field Marks. The red cap of both sexes and red throat of the male are the most cons- 
picuous field marks. In other plumages the broad white bar that shows along the wing 
and the black gorget below the throat are distinctive. 
Nesting. In holes in dead trees. 
Distribution. Eastern North America from well north, of cultivation, southward. 
Breeds everywhere in eastern Canada excepting in the most southerly portions. 
SUBSPECIES. The eastern form of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is the type 
race—the Eastern Sapsucker. In the extreme west another subspecies occurs. 
The Sapsuckers have departed somewhat from their ancestral wood- 
pecking habits. Although numerous during migration through southern 
Canada, they are scarce breeders in the lower Great Lakes region though 
common elsewhere. 
Economic Status. This is the only bird of the family that seems 
to be harmful. The harm is done in quest of sap, by girdling the trunks 
and branches of orchards and other smooth barked trees with rows of small 
squarish pits regularly spaced in horizontal lines penetrating both outer 
and inner barks to the sap-wood beneath. Several trees may be so tapped 
and visited in turn as the sap exudes. Though it is primarily the sap 
which is sought, the insects attracted are also eaten, for though sap is 
a large item in the Sapsucker’s diet, animal food is also necessary. 
Although the damage to trees so girdled is not nearly as great as 
might be expected, they are sometimes permanently injured and even 
killed. All are weakened and a lodgment prepared for fungoid growth 
and insects. Unless severely and repeatedly attacked, however, most 
survive and completely recover. Even forest growth suffers considerable 
damage; valuable timber trees are attacked and the consequent burr 
