1908 ] Beyer, Allison and Kopman, Birds of Louisiana. 44T 



rather closely with that of the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. It does 

 not occur in southwestern Louisiana (Beyer). 



179. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus variiis). A regular 

 and rather common winter visitor to all sections of the State, somewhat 

 commoner in the upland regions. At the latitude of the coast, this species 

 is present, from about October 15 to March 15. The first influx in the fall 

 occurs, however, earlier in October, being about simultaneous with that 

 of the migratory Red-shouldered Hawks and Barred Owls. The latest 

 recorded date in spring is April 16 (Bay St. Louis, Miss., 1902). 



ISO. PiLEATED \YooDPECKER {Ceophloeus pileatus). Common but re- 

 tiring in most well-wooded sections of the State; it is seldom found in 

 the pinewoods, however, except in hardwood growths. Its favorite haunts 

 are the heaviest swamps. It usually nests high; nests are sometimes 

 not more than 25 feet from the ground. 



181. Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus). The 

 distribution and time of occurrence of this species in Louisiana are decidedly 

 complicated. Perhaps its most important status is that of a common 

 summer visitor to the dryer regions of the State, especially the pine belts 

 and the bluff lands; yet it is irregularly resident throughout the State, 

 and may be found nesting or wintering, sometimes nesting and wintering, 

 in localities in every section. Though least common in the Mississippi 

 delta region, it has of late years become a resident in Audubon Park, New 

 Orleans, and in other environs of the city. In those sections where it 

 nests only, it does not usually appear until the latter part of April, and in 

 those localities where it is a common summer visitor, its numbers increase 

 at this season. While this species in Louisiana, as elsewhere, is fond of 

 the neighborhood of cultivation, it is occasionally found in hardwood 

 forests at considerable distances from human habitation. It is very fond 

 of the open pine forests of the southern part of the State. 



Nesting begins about May 1 ; two broods are raised, — the first, at the 

 coast, during the height of the mulberry and blackberry season; the second 

 brood is raised during July, in the fig season. 



182. Red-bellied Woodpecker (Centurus caroUnus). The typical 

 sw'amps of the lowland, and the mixed hardwood bottoms of the higher 

 regions are the usual resorts of this species. It is met with in open situa- 

 tions rather frequently, and often nests about groves as well as in the 

 woods. It is probably the commonest of the generally distributed wood- 

 peckers in Louisiana. In time, its nesting corresponds with that of the 

 other regular resident species. In some localities of the Mississippi delta 

 region, this species occurs on the sugar plantations in much the role of the 

 Red-headed Woodpecker as found elsewhere; it often leaves the woods 

 and swamps to nest in telegraph poles and other exposed situations; the 

 analogy is carried out by resemblances in notes and other habits. 



18.3. Flicker {Colaptes auratus). A common winter visitor, in all 

 sections rather uncommon, especially in the southern section, as a resident. 

 The bulk of the winter visitors are undoubtedly Northern Flickers (C. 



