118 The Birds of Albany County 



Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — Sphyrapkus varius. 8.56 



Fairly Common Spring and Fall Migrant 



Field marks. — Crown and throat bright red; belly yellow; 

 rest of plumage black and white; habits same as 

 other Woodpeckers. 



During the Spring and Autumn migrations this alert and 

 handsome bird is frequently seen in Albany County. Several 

 stop long enough in Washington Park every Spring to bore 

 a few holes in the bark of the white birches and sip the sap. 

 In the Fall they like chokecherries, wild grapes, and the purple 

 fruit of the pepperidge tree. 



Five to seven white eggs are laid in the hollow of a tree, 

 generally very high up. 



Downy Woodpecker. — Dryobates pubescens medianas. 



6.80 



Common in Summer, Rare in Winter 



Field marks. — Black and white, barred and streaked; scarlet 

 patch on nape of neck. 



Here we have the smallest of our Woodpeckers, everywhere 

 common in Albany County. Although it is claimed that 

 Downy spends the Winter throughout New England and New 

 York State, I always count it an extremely rare event when I 

 meet an example hereabouts in Winter. During May a great 

 many are present and a number remain to breed. The small 

 size, and black and white plumage serve to identify the species. 



