AGRICULTURAL ORNITHOLOGY. 293 



2. P. pnhescens, (Linn.,) clownj woodpecker. Resident, common; insec- 

 tivorous ; habits and food similar. 



3. P. 5o/ea^/*, (Vieill.,) red-cockaded woodpecker. Accidental; very rare; 

 insectivorous ; habits similar. These are highly useful birds in destroying 

 worms and insects which lodge under dead bark and in rotten Avood. 



Observation. — Some of these birds have a singular habit, the purpose of 

 which is not well understood, "of puncturing the smooth, thin bark of orchard 

 trees in regular circles, so near to each other that eight or ten of them may be 

 covered by a dollar." (Xutt., after Wils.) This has obtained for them the com- 

 mon name of "sap-suckers." They even puncture resinous trees in the same 

 manner. I have not observed the trees to be injured by them. 



21. Genus Sphyropieus, (Bd., 1857.) 



1. S. varius, (Linn.,) Bd., yelloAv-bellied woodpecker. Resident, rarely seen 

 during summer ; insectivorous ; secluded in the forest. Its " food consists of 

 wood-worms and beetles, to which it adds small grapes and berries." 



22. Genus Hi/lutomus, (Bd., 1858.) 



1. H. Pi/ca(us, {Linn.,) Bd., pileated woodpecker. Resident, almost extinct 

 with us ; insectivorous. This shy bird feeds, like its congeners, on the beetles, 

 and their larvaj, which always abound among dead and decaying timber. If 

 these fail, he resorts to acorns, nuts, and berries. 



23. Genus Centurus, (Sw., 1837.) 



1. C. caroUnus, (Linn.,j Bd., red-bellied woodpecker. Resident, frequent ; 

 rare in summer ; insectivorous ; feeda on various kinds of insects and larviE, 

 and on berries, &c., in the manner of its yellow-bellied cousin. 



24. Genus Mclanerpcs, (Sw., 1831.) 



1. M. erythrorcphalus, (Linn.,) Bd., red-headed woodpecker. Resident, 

 very common ; insectivorous. This elegant and familiar species is extremely 

 expert in finding and catching the insects which conceal themselves beneath 

 the bark of trees. He also eats juicy fruits and berries, as well as the ripening 

 corn. The farmer often thinks that he takes more in cherries and garden fruits 

 than his services are worth. 



2^. Genus Colaptes, (Sw., 1827.) 

 1. C. auratus, (Linn.,) Sw., golden-Avinged woodpecker. Resident, com- 

 mon — rare in winter; insectivorous ; feeds on insects, wood-lice, ants, &c., with 

 cherries, various berries, and even corn. " The fiirmer, forgetting his past 

 services, and only remembering his present faults, closes his career with the 

 gun, and unthinkingly does to himself and the public an essential injury." (Nutt.) 



VI. FAMILY TROCIIILID.f;, (THE HUMMING BmDS.) 



26. Genus TrocMIus, (Linn., 1748.) 



1. T. colubris, (Linn., 1766,) ruby-throated humming bird. Summer resi- 

 dent, common ; insectivorous. This beautiful little bird has so long been con- 

 sidered millivorous (honey-eater) that the reader will hardly admit its cLiim to 

 be insectivorous ; " but it is essentially an insect, hunter, and not a honey-sucker. 

 Its long, delicate bill enters the cup of the flower, and the protruded, double- 

 tubed tongue, delicately sensible, and imbued with a glutinous saliva, touches 

 each insect in succession, and draws it from its lurking place to be instantly 

 swallowed." " Their food consists principally of insects, generally of the cole- 

 opterous order, with some equally diminutive flies." (Aud.) 



VII. FAMILY CYPSELID.E, (THE SWIFTS.) 



27. Genus Chcetura, (Steph., 1825.) 



1. C.pelasgia, (Linn.,) Steph., chimney swift. Summer resident, abundant ; 

 insectivorous. If the reader will reflect on the myriads of insects which fill the 

 air on the approach of eventide, and watch these birds, as they wing their rapid 



