EATON — BIRDS OF WESTERN NEW YORK. 39 



402. Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.) Yellow-bellied sapsucker. 



Transient visitant ; common. Apr. 10 — May 15 ; Sept. 15 — 

 Oct. 20. Occasional summer resident. Reported as breeding in 

 Cayuga, Yates and Oneida Counties. Found in woods, orchards and 

 shade trees during migration. Often does harm by girdling young 

 trees to feed on the sap, 50-100 holes through the bark in a single 

 ring being not uncommon. Otherwise beneficial. 



405a. Ceophloeus pileatus abieticola Bangs. Northern pileated 

 woodpecker. 



Resident ; occasionally found in the wildest and most secluded 

 hemlock woods, especially in the counties of Erie, Cattaraugus and 

 Allegany. According to Mr. Ottomar Reinecke it breeds in Tona- 

 wanda Swamp. At Springville I have known of only four birds of 

 this species captured in ten years. 



406. Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linn.) Red-headed wood- 

 pecker. 

 Summer resident ; common. May 5 — Oct. i. When beech- 

 nuts are abundant this species always remains throughout the year ; 

 otherwise migrates as above stated. Frequents woodlands, groves 

 and telegraph poles. Nest, in a drj^ stub ; May 15 — June 20 ; 

 eggs 4-5. Fond of cherries, berries and apples, but mostly beneficial. 



409. Melanerpes carolinus (Linn.) Red-bellied woodpecker. 



Resident, at least in Erie, Monroe and Ontario counties ; not 

 very uncommon. Found mostly in dry woodlands of beech and 

 maple. Breeds, Springville, June, 1896. Also at Benton, May, 1898 — 

 Burdette Wright. 



412a. Colaptes auratus luteus Bangs Northern flicker. 



Summer resident ; abundant. Apr. 10 — Oct. 20. Occasionally 

 found in winter. Frequents orchards and groves, often feeding on 

 the ground in open fields and pastures. Nest, excavated in a dry 

 limb or stub, 10-70 feet from the ground ; May 10 — ^June 30 ; eggs 

 5-7. Beneficial ; destroys ants, grubs and beetles. Its fruit diet is 

 mostly confined to wild cherries, poke berries, woodbine, etc. 



